Retirement Flashcards
If someone returns to work after 70 years old and is receiving Social Security benefits are Social Security payments taxable?
When working and receiving SS benefits, if modified AGI exceeds $34,000 (single) then 85% of SS benefits must be included (in gross income) OR if modified AGI exceeds $25,000 (single) then 50% of SS benefits must be included
When can a surviving spouse be entitled to a benefit before 60 years old?
When caring for a child under 16 (or child “in care”)
What is an option for a company with a defined benefit plan that can no longer afford any type of pension plan?
Freeze the defined benefit plan
What are the types of pension plans?
- Money purchase
- Target benefit
- Cash balance
Which qualified retirement plans may forfeitures be allocated to increase balances of remaining plan participants?
- Defined benefit plan
- Money purchase plan
What is a flexible component of a profit sharing 401(k) plan?
The employer can contribute nothing or 415 limit
What kind of plan is great for retaining young, successful employees?
Money purchase plan
What factors affect a target benefit plan participant’s retirement benefit?
- Age of plan participant
- Participant’s compensation each plan year
- Investment performance of the plan assets
- Actuarial assumptions used to determine contributions to the plan
Can the employer that maintains a profit-sharing plan contribute more than 25% to the employee?
Yes, because the limit is the lesser of 100% or $66,000
As long as the total company contributions do not exceed 25% of total plan compensation, the employer can contribute more than 25%
Which retirement plan has flexible employer contributions, no employee contributions, and loan provisions?
A profit-sharing or ESOP satisfy the objectives (unless it indicates they want to contribute company stock, an ESOP is not appropriate)
Are SIMPLE salary deferrals subject to FICA and FUTA?
Yes
What are the SEP contributions for self-employed individuals?
Max contribution is 18.59% of earned income with a 25% plan
What are benefits of rolling a deceased spouse’s qualified plan directly into an employer qualified plan?
- Not subject to IRA rules
- Fully creditor protected
- Can either take a distribution at separation of service at age 55 (no 10% penalty) or wait until after retirement to take RMDs
Which distribution option is best when a spouse is much younger and client wants to take RMDs as slow as possible?
Use joint and last survivor table
Are Roth IRA distributions for education purposes tax free?
Not always
What are characteristics of a secular trust?
- Contributions are deductible in contribution year by company
- Irrevocable
- Not subject to company’s bankruptcy or insolvency creditors
- Can be funded with various investments including (but not limited to) variable annuities
When may an employee avoid receipt of taxable income when participating in a funded non-qualified deferred compensation plan?
When there is a substantial risk of forfeiture relative to the compensation that was deferred
Can IRA type plans offer loans?
No
What are the requirements for housing to be a “non taxable” fringe-benefit?
Occasional usage probably would not be taxable, but has to be during the work week
Use of a company apartment or lodge for weekends is taxable
What is the most stringent eligibility requirement for a money purchase plan?
21-and-one
What is the effect on contributions for non-key employees in a profit sharing plan that’s “top heavy”?
- It must make corrective distributions representing the greater of 3% for all eligible employees’ compensation or the percentage contributed for any key employee receiving a contribution more than 3%
- It must comply with top-heavy vesting requirements
What is included in provisional income?
AGI plus tax exempt interest and 1/2 SS income (muni bond interest is considered income)
Do stock bonus and ESOP plans require participants to take distributions in the form of employer stock?
No - under a “put option” participants may request cash distributions
What is the salary cap in a defined benefit plan when using the final average method?
$330,000 (2023)
The annual benefit cap is $265,000