The Slott Report

New SECURE 2.0 10% Penalty Exceptions: Domestic Abuse & Financial Emergencies

SECURE 2.0 includes a number of new ways a person under the age of 59 ½ can access retirement account dollars while avoiding the 10% penalty. Historically, there have been more than a dozen ways to sidestep the extra charge. Things like first-time homebuyer costs, higher education costs and disability are all legitimate exceptions to the early distribution penalty. While taxes could still apply, the 10% penalty is off the table for eligible distributions. Here are two of the new “penalty-free access points” to both IRA and company plan retirement accounts made available in SECURE 2.0:

RMDs Under SECURE Act 2.0: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag

Question:On reading your SECURE 2.0 information, a revised RMD (required minimum distribution) to age 73 was mentioned. Prior to this new legislation, 72 was the RMD age. If this is in effect now in 2023, is it correct that if you turn 72 in 2023, you won’t be required to take an RMD in 2023? Based on what I’ve read, the first RMD for a 72 year-old in 2023 would be pushed to age 73 in 2024?Thanks in advance for your insights!

SECURE 2.0 Changes That Apply to Workplace Plans

In our December 28 and January 2 Slott Report articles, we focused mostly on the provisions of the new SECURE 2.0 law that apply to IRAs. But many of the law’s changes are directed towards workplace plans, such as 401(k)s.Here’s a rundown of the most important plan changes:

Top Takeaways from SECURE 2.0 for 2023

The year 2023 has arrived. It is a new year, and we have new rules for retirement accounts thanks to SECURE 2.0 which Congress passed in the waning days of last year. SECURE 2.0 is a giant piece of legislation, clocking in at over 300 pages, and some of its provisions will not be effective for years to come. Here are some of our top takeaways from the SECURE 2.0 provisions that are effective right away.

Required Minimum Distributions and SIMPLE IRAs: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag

QUESTION:I have an inherited IRA from my father. He was born 9-27-1927 and died 7-19-2019 at age 91. I was born 12-13-1952 and my age is 70. Two on-line calculators offered by brokerages show the factor this year (2022) to be 18.4 on my inherited IRA from my father. I cannot verify that factor on any of the IRS tables. Could you copy me or direct me to the correct table?Many thanks,Jim

Happy Holidays! Congress Gifts SECURE 2.0

This holiday season Congress has given us SECURE 2.0. With no time to spare to avoid a government shutdown, they passed the $1.7 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 and sent it off the President for signature. Tucked inside the more than 4000 pages of legislation, you can find SECURE 2.0.

The 10-Year Rule and Roth Conversions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag

Question:Ed, I started reading your newsletter and I wondered what you thought of IRS Notice 2022-53. It made sense to me to the point where it said that "the beneficiary of an employee who died after the employee's required beginning date must take the RMD beginning in the first calendar year after the calendar year of the employee's death."But then in the end they lost me when it says it applies only if the employee died in 2020 or 2021. Seems like it should say 2022 as well.

Congress Considers Spending Bill That Includes SECURE 2.0

As you may have read, Congress is considering passage of a $1.65 trillion spending bill that contains a number of retirement savings plan provisions. As of this morning (December 21), the bill has not been passed, and both houses of Congress only have until this Friday (December 23) to do so. If passed, President Biden is expected to sign the bill immediately.

10 Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor

It is important to do your due diligence when hiring anyone who claims to be an expert. The same holds true for financial professionals. Before dumping your entire piggy bank in the lap of a random advisor, be sure he or she has the skills and experience necessary to manage such a responsibility. Regarding IRAs, here are 10 good questions to ask your advisor:

INHERITED ROTH IRA BENEFICIARY RULES AND PAYOUT OPTIONS FOR ELIGIBLE DESIGNATED BENEFICIARIES: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG

Question:Do adult children who inherited a parent’s Roth IRA in 2020 need to take an RMD each year during the 10-year payout rule or may they leave it alone and deplete the account at the end of the 10th year? I’ve heard it both ways and would like to know which is correct.Thank you.Pam