The Importance of Tax Diversification in Retirement Accounts
When planning for retirement, it is important to create a savings strategy in an effort to optimize asset growth in a tax-efficient manner. Understanding which account types offer tax deferral and tax-free distributions may help you save significant chunks of your wealth for retirement years.
Have you heard of the term “tax diversification?”
Tax diversification is the strategic allocation of assets among multiple investment accounts with varying tax rules. This would include traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, taxable brokerage, trust accounts, health savings accounts (HSAs), 529 plans, annuities, and employer-sponsored plans like 401(k)s and 403(b)s. Many of these account types offer various benefits like up-front tax deductions, tax-free growth, and/or tax-free distribution to heirs. Rather than putting all of your assets in one type of account, it’s important to spread assets across various account types. The primary reasons: flexibility and hedging against future tax rate changes. Let’s look at an example:
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Adam Anderson (age 70) contributed:
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Suzie Smith (age 70) contributed:
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While Adam would have reduced his taxable income over the last 50 years by making only pre-tax 401(k) contributions and Suzie would have had to earn more income to match the $1,200,000 savings goal, each person could be impacted differently later in life when withdrawals begin. For instance, let’s say both Adam and Suzie need $100,000 for living expenses in 2022 and each receives $40,000 in Social Security benefits per year.
Adam:
- $40,000 taxable Social Security benefits
- $60,000 taxable 401(k) distribution
24% federal tax rate with income between $89,075 and $170,050 as a single filer
Suzie:
- $40,000 taxable Social Security benefits
- Has the option to take:
- $60,000 from the Roth IRA tax-free
- $60,000 from the brokerage account and potentially be subject to capital gains tax
- $60,000 from the pre-tax 401(k) and be subject to ordinary income taxes
- Any combination from the three accounts to obtain $60,000
Suzie has the flexibility to take $60,000 from the Roth IRA tax-free and keep herself in the 12% federal tax rate with income between $10,276 and $41,775 as a single filer. Even if future legislation increases or decreases tax rates, she still has multiple account options to withdraw from to keep herself in a favorable tax situation.
In addition, assuming each individual’s modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) in 2022 was similar to what it was over the past few years, Adam will pay $68.00 more per month in Medicare Part B premiums and $12.40 more per month in Medicare Part D premiums than Suzie.
| SINGLE | |||
| Taxable income | Tax Rate | Ordinary Tax Calculation | |
| Minimum | Maximum | ||
| — | $10,275 | 10% | 10% of taxable income |
| $10,276 | $41,775 | 12% | $1,027.50 + 12% of the amount over $10,275 |
| $41,776 | $89,075 | 22% | $4,807.50 + 22% of the amount over $41,775 |
| $89,076 | $170,050 | 24% | $15,213.50 + 24% of the amount over $89,076 |
| $170,051 | $215,950 | 32% | $34,647.50 + 32% of the amount over $170,050 |
| $215,951 | $539,900 | 35% | $49,335.50 + 35% of the amount over $215,950 |
| $539,901 | — | 37% | $162,718 + 37% of the amount over $539,900 |
| 2022 Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts | |||
| Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) | Part B Premium | Part D Premium | |
| Single or Married Filing Jointly | |||
| Single | $91,000 or less | $170.10 | Plan Premium |
| Married* | $182,000 or less | ||
| Single | $91,001 – $114,000 | $238.10 | $12.40 + Plan Premium |
| Married* | $182,001 – $228,000 | ||
| Single | $114,001 – $142,000 | $340.20 | $32.10 + Plan Premium |
| Married* | $228,001 – $284,000 | ||
| Single | $142,001 – $170,000 | $442.30 | $51.70 + Plan Premium |
| Married* | $284,001 – $340,000 | ||
| Single | $170,001 – $500,000 | $544.30 | $71.30 + Plan Premium |
| Married* | $340,001 – $750,000 | ||
| Single | $500,000 and above | $578.30 | $77.90 + Plan Premium |
| Married* | $750,000 and above | ||
*Married filing jointly
Considerations when choosing which account type to fund:
- Your current tax rate versus future tax rate
- Your financial goals
- Your time horizon until retirement or need for asset liquidity
- Ways to minimize Social Security taxation, Medicare premium costs, and taxation for beneficiaries
- Current balances in taxable versus tax-deferred versus tax-free accounts
While this hypothetical example seemed to benefit Suzie later in life, there may have been reasons why Adam solely made pre-tax 401(k) contributions. For example, if Adam was in a high tax bracket while working and wanted to minimize income, pre-tax 401(k) contributions would have accomplished that. For this reason, it’s important to talk to your tax preparer or CPA each year to help you project your current year income and applicable tax rate.
The decision of which account to open and fund should be made with financial goals and tax objectives in mind. It’s also imperative to actively monitor your retirement account contributions to make sure you are contributing in a tax-effective manner as you pursue your retirement goals. It’s impossible to predict future tax rates, but having tax diversified accounts provides options.
Stifel does not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult with your legal and tax advisors regarding your particular situation.
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