5 Year-End Retirement Planning Tips

Holiday shopping. Turkey cooking. Family entertaining. November and December are very busy (and stressful) months. But if you’re one of the countless Americans with an IRA or 401(k), there are some critical items that ought to be on your to-do list before you ring in the New Year.

Joshua Kadish, AIF, RFC of RPG Life Transition Specialists, a holistic wealth management firm, says that there are five things every person should do before the end of the year to avoid penalties and protect their retirement interests. “Different retirement accounts have different deadlines, and it’s difficult to keep them all straight,” says Kadish. “But a little planning and diligence can go a long way to maximizing your returns and minimizing tax penalties.”

1. Maximize 401(k) Contributions: Contributions to your 401(k) are due by December 31st. And if you’ve been lax about contributing during the year, consider making up ground now. You can make an ad hoc payment, or contribute your full year-end bonus to your account. A person who maximizes their 401(k) contributions stands to save thousands on federal income taxes. For 2014, $17,500 is the maximum you can contribute to your 401(k). If you are over age 50, then you can also take advantage of the “catch up” provision and add an additional $5,500 for a maximum of $23,000, which is pre-tax.
2. Take Minimum Required Distributions (RMDs): If you’re above the age of 70 ½, you are required to take a minimum distribution from your 401(k) or IRA and pay subsequent income tax on that distribution. While you have a slight buffer (distributions must be taken by April 1 the year following your 70 ½ birthday), missing the distribution deadline may result in a tax penalty of 50 percent.
3. Use Those RMDs to Pay Taxes: Consider having your RMD withheld to cover your estimated tax bill. While those taxes are generally due on a quarterly basis, having them withheld from an end-of-year RMD may help you avoid penalties associated with underpayment of taxes across the entire year.
4. Assess 2015 Contribution Levels: If you’re in a position to maximize your 401(k) contributions, know that the limit will be slightly higher in 2015. Contact your administrator now to adjust your contribution levels so you don’t miss out on valuable pre-tax contribution opportunities.
5. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute: Too many people make the mistake of waiting until mid-December to take their required minimum distributions or make final contributions to their retirement accounts. Requests get misplaced. Financial institutions become overwhelmed with year-end requests. So, if you wait until the very last minute, your run the risk of missing important deadlines. It’s just not worth it.