10% Penalty Exceptions: IRAs and Plans

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF®IRA Analyst If a person under age 59½ takes a withdrawal from his IRA or workplace plan, there is a 10% early withdrawal penalty…unless an exception applies. There are currently 20 exceptions, with a 21st on the way. Here are those exceptions,...

12 Super Catch-Up Contribution Questions Answered

By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst   We continue to get lots of questions about the new “super catch-up” contribution for retirement plan and SIMPLE IRA participants who are ages 60-63. Here are answers to your top 12 questions: 1. When does the super catch-up...

Surprise! You May Still Be Eligible for the Stretch IRA

By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The arrival of the SECURE Act means the end of the stretch IRA for many beneficiaries. Instead, a 10-year payout rule applies for most IRAs inherited by non-spouse beneficiaries. However, the SECURE Act does allow...

IRA Trivia: Missed RMD or Excess Contribution?

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst   Here is an all-too-common situation that seems counterintuitive: A participant in a 401(k) retires and must take his required minimum distribution (RMD). This person requests that his entire 401(k) plan balance be directly...