OVERVIEW

Tax Considerations in Retirement is an advanced course designed to provide comprehensive guidance on navigating the elaborate tax landscape during the transition into retirement. This course equips participants, including financial advisors and tax professionals, with essential insights and strategic approaches crucial for effective retirement planning.

Understanding the tax implications of retirement accounts and distributions is paramount for ensuring long-term financial security. Participants will explore key topics such as the complex tax treatment of various retirement plans, including IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b) plans, SEP, SIMPLE and pensions and annuities. The course also covers advanced strategies for optimizing distribution tactics and leveraging recent updates under the 2025 tax season tax laws, including provisions from the Secure Act that impact retirement savings strategies.

Through in-depth analysis and practical illustrations, participants will develop proficiency in evaluating the tax consequences associated with different retirement sources. This knowledge empowers you to craft tailored strategies that maximize tax efficiency while preserving and enhancing retirement savings for your clients.

By mastering these concepts, participants will be well-equipped to navigate the complexities of retirement tax planning, providing invaluable advice to clients seeking to secure their financial futures during their retirement years.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Develop a thorough understanding of defined contribution plans and defined benefits, including their structure, eligibility criteria, and benefits offered to participants.
• Explore 401(k) plans, including plan qualification requirements such as a written plan, vesting schedules, contribution limits, catch-up contributions, and the tax treatment of contributions and distributions.
• Gain insights into 403(b) plans tailored for employees of public schools, tax-exempt organizations, and certain ministers, covering plan features, contribution limits, employer matching contributions, and annuity options upon retirement.
• Analyze SEP plans designed for small businesses and self-employed individuals, focusing on plan establishment criteria, contribution limits, tax-deductible contributions, and the impact of contributions on retirement savings.
• Explore traditional pension plans and annuities, including the types of annuities available (e.g., immediate, deferred), annuitization options, tax treatment of annuity payments, survivor benefits, and considerations for maximizing retirement income.
• Understand the implications of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act on retirement planning, including changes to RMD rules, extended contribution ages, and other provisions affecting retirement plan participants and beneficiaries.

At the end of the course, participants will be required to pass a comprehensive final exam covering all topics addressed throughout the course. The exam is open book, and the downloadable PDF containing the course material is available on the first page of the course. A minimum score of 70% is necessary to satisfy the Continuing Education (CE) requirement and to obtain a Certificate of Completion. Successful course completions are reported to the IRS within three business days.