The backdoor Roth contribution is a viable tool for some but not all clients.
An applicable multi-beneficiary trust can solve some--but not all--of the challenges that the new act presents.
It might be for clients seeking to provide a life income to a middle-aged or older individual and a significant charitable gift.
The new law makes it more difficult for parents to set up an estate plan that maximizes the funds available for the care and education of their children.
Contributor Natalie Choate examines how the SECURE Act affects popular strategies for leaving IRAs and retirement plans to a spouse.
Unfortunately, no single solution is simple, cheap, and tax-advantaged, says Natalie Choate.
The generous and liberal interpretation of the act’s provisions provide substantial flexibility and options to retirement-plan owners.
Contributor Natalie Choate tackles three scenarios where a Roth conversion seems to make sense--but may not.
There are plenty of gray areas in the CARES Act's language about CRDs, says contributor Natalie Choate.
The new stimulus plan suspends required minimum distributions for 2020. Contributor Natalie Choate offers advice to early birds who've already taken RMDs for the year.
Contributor Natalie Choate reviews the questions that some fiduciaries face today.
Contributor Natalie Choate with what not to do to 'help' clients.
Planners have their work cut out for them, says contributor Natalie Choate.
The IRS has proposed new actuarial tables for calculating required minimum distributions. Here’s the timeline and the key takeaways.
Contributor Natalie Choate discusses the challenges--and limitations--for heirs when beneficiary designations aren't completed for retirement accounts.
Contributor Natalie Choate navigates through the complexities.
Contributor Natalie Choate reviews the good, the bad, and the ugly when rolling over from a Roth 401(k) to a Roth IRA.
Contributor Natalie Choate explains what to do when a decedent names the wrong (or no) beneficiary on retirement accounts.
Contributor Natalie Choate examines how some self-employed workers can make the most of Roth savings later in life.
Contributor Natalie Choate discusses a little-known--but low-tax--savings strategy.
Natalie Choate shares some of the incorrect statements she's heard from IRA providers and plan administrators.
Contributor Natalie Choate reviews a few ways to get around the once-per-year limit.
And not the good kind, either, says contributor Natalie Choate.
For what year or years do you file IRS Form 5329 if you discovered you've missed a required minimum distribution?
The ability to contribute a restorative payment to an IRA applies only to the compensatory payment for the actual investment loss.
Contributor Natalie Choate reviews some of the inconsistencies in the penalty investors pay if they take distributions from their retirement plans too early.
Rolling your IRA into your 401(k) while still employed may help you temporarily skirt required minimum distributions, but there can be drawbacks.
Natalie Choate simplifies the decision making that come with SOSEPPs.
The rule that you must take the required minimum distribution before doing a “rollover” does not apply to IRA-to-IRA transfers.
Why do back flips to qualify for a life expectancy payout that may soon cease to exist?
There are three courses you can take if you've contributed to a Roth IRA when you shouldn't have.
Figuring out the tax rules for retirement plans and IRAs is hard enough. It's too bad that some IRS forms make the process even trickier.
Track IRA transactions like a hawk, from start to finish, to make sure they are carried out completely and correctly.
To reduce income tax, do what you can to limit the flow of items into the top lines of your tax return.
Beneficiaries inheriting IRAs generally have more flexibility than those inheriting qualified plans.
Although the new tax law placed some limits on IRA recharacterizations, the technique can still be used in certain situations in 2018 and beyond.
The new law eliminates Roth recharacterizations, offers a break to some employees who take loans against their employer-sponsored plans, and may make qualified charitable distributions even more popular.
A mistake on this form can cost investors money and lead to needless audits.
Here are nine less conventional ways to enjoy the benefits of Roth accounts.
Though uncommon, there are several good reasons to do an IRA-to-plan rollover.
Today's rules have created a lottery system, and those under consideration in Washington would only make things more complicated.