The SECURE Act's Impact on IRAs and Roth IRAs

The passage of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act in 2019 changed several aspects of retirement accounts and plans. The law, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2020, consists of 29 provisions that deal with several aspects of retirement savings plans and accounts including Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and inherited IRAs.  This discussion will focus on the SECURE Act’s impact on IRAs and Roth IRAs and will touch on some new benefits to account holders and some new regulations on inheritances. 

The law raised the age limit for beginning Required Minimum Distributions for qualified and tax-advantaged accounts and plans from 70½ to 72 for individuals who turned 70½ on or after Jan. 1, 2020. Individuals with an IRA can now allow their account to grow tax-deferred for an additional 1½ year before taking their first RMD. The law also removed the age limit to contribute to IRAs, so an individual can continue to contribute to an IRA or Roth IRA (there was not previously an age limit on Roth IRAs) up to the limit allowed by the IRS for as long as he or she has earned income. 

For 2020, individuals can make annual contributions of up to $6,000 to an IRA or Roth IRA ($7,000 if the individual is 50 years old or older). There are income phaseouts applicable when contributing to a Roth IRA. For example, single tax filers can contribute up to the limit if their modified Adjusted Growth Income is less than $124,000 per year, they can take a reduced amount if their modified AGI is $124,000 but less than $139,000, and they cannot contribute with a modified AGI that is at or greater than $139,000. Couples who are married and filing jointly can contribute up to the limit with a modified AGI of less than $196,000, they can contribute at a reduced amount with a modified AGI of $196,000 and less than $206,000 and cannot contribute with a modified AGI at $206,000 or greater. (1) 

A major change brought on by the SECURE Act is the elimination of what was known as the stretch IRA. This estate planning strategy allowed beneficiaries of inherited IRAs or Roth IRAs to shelter income, potentially for generations, and take advantage of the tax-deferred or tax-free growth within the account. Some beneficiaries of IRAs and Roth IRAs will now have to withdraw inherited assets from the account within 10 years of the death of the original account holder. There are exceptions to this rule that include beneficiaries who are a surviving spouse, a minor child, a disabled or chronically ill individual and beneficiaries who are not more than 10 years younger than the original account owner.  

The SECURE Act could make a Roth IRA conversion strategy more appealing to individuals who plan on leaving a significant inheritance to heirs and want to limit the future tax liability on those assets. This conversion is allowed by the IRS within 60 days of a distribution from the IRA. Keep in mind, the distribution from the tax-deferred IRA will be taxed (both on contributions and gains) when the funds are initially rolled over, but once withdrawal requirements are met, future gains in the Roth IRA can be taken sans income tax. Five-year-rules apply to Roth IRA withdrawals, so individuals need to be sure they understand the rules or they could be hit with a penalty on the sum taken out. A back-door Roth conversion can also be used by high-income earners to fund a Roth IRA even if their modified AGI is higher than the phaseout amount. It is worth noting the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated the ability to recharacterize Roth IRA conversions. Previously, account holders could essentially undo the conversion if it ended up saddling the account holder with unfavorable tax consequences. Individuals thinking about a Roth IRA conversion should talk with their tax professional and Financial Planner to make sure they fully understand the ins and outs of a Roth IRA conversion and the potential tax consequences. 

An ideal time for a Roth IRA conversion would be in the years just after the individual retires but before the individual starts taking RMDs, because the account holder will generally be in a lower tax bracket during this time period. Since the SECURE Act increased the age for starting RMDs to 72 from 70 ½, individuals have an extra year and a half to take advantage of the strategy. Also, Roth IRAs held by the original owner are not subject to RMDs. There are several moving parts and other potential tax consequences with Roth IRA conversions, and they are not appropriate for everyone. Again, be sure and talk with your tax professional and Financial Planner to discuss whether an IRA to Roth IRA conversion is the best course of action for your situation. 

2021 Updates 

An update was made to the Secure Act that went into effect January 1, 2021 which now allows part-time employees who qualify can participate in 401(k) retirement plan. To be qualified the part-time employee must have worked one full year with 1,000 hours closed during that 12-month period. Long-term, part-time employees who have worked over 500 hours per year for at least 3 consecutive years and are at least 21 years of age by the end of the third consecutive year are also qualified to participate in their employers’ 401(k) plan.

A bill to follow the Secure Act of 2019 called the Securing a Strong Retirement Act or Secure Act 2.0 would drastically change what retirement would look like for retirees. If this bill is voted into law, there are 4 ways it could affect retirees: 

  1. It would increase the required minimum distribution (RMD) age from 70 ½ – 72 to now 73 in 2022, 74 in 2029 and 75 in 2032 
  2. The Act would allow employers to match contributions to an employee’s retirement plan regardless of if the employee is saving themselves. 
  3. It would give employees the option to make after-tax Roth contributions with their retirement plans. Under the current law neither SEP or SIMPLE retirement plans can have a designated Roth IRA account.  
  4. Increase the catch-up contribution limit. Under the Secure Act 2.0 it would maintain the age 50 catch-ups and allow the following new ones starting in 2023: 
    • 401(k) and 403(b) plans: at the age of 62-64 an additional $10,000/year 
    • SIMPLE plans: at the age of 62-64 an additional $5,000/year 
    • IRAs: the catch-up limit would remain at $1,000, however it would index the amount by inflation. 

 

Sources

  1. https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/amount-of-roth-ira-contributions-that-you-can-make-for-2020 
  2. https://www.401kmaneuver.com/important-secure-act-retirement-bill-changes-coming-in-2021/
  3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinmckenna/2021/05/06/4-ways-the-secure-act-20-would-change-retirement-planning/?sh=4d64286128f0

 

Securities offered through Mutual Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC.  Insight Wealth Strategies, LLC is not affiliated with Mutual Securities, Inc.

Insight Wealth Strategies, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Insight Wealth Strategies, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Insight Wealth Strategies, LLC unless a client service agreement is in place.

Insight Wealth Strategies, LLC (IWS) and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
 

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