Even after you retire, taxes will play a major role in your financial plan. By understanding the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules regarding taxes and retirement, you can come up with strategies to minimize financial surprises.
Here are some frequently asked questions when it comes to taxes after retirement.
What is the tax rate on retirement income?
Tax rates for retirees are mostly the same as when you are working. If
Yes, most of your retirement income is taxed. And the same income tax brackets and rates apply to everyone—even after retirement. For example:
- If you retire but decide to work a part-time job, it's still taxed.
- If you receive any income from brokerage accounts outside a retirement plan, such as capital gains, it will be taxed.
- If you receive money from a pension, your payments are taxed as income.
That being said, one tax-related benefit for retirees is that once you turn 65, you qualify for a larger standard deduction. This means you can earn more money without owing any taxes.
In 2023, the standard deduction for single filer
How do taxes work on retirement plans?
A tax concern for retirees is figuring out what you will owe for taking money out of your 401(k)s, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and other plans. The rules and tax rate on retirement income depend on what type of plan you have.
401(k)s
Every dollar you take out of a
There are several events that allow for withdrawals from a plan without penalty. One example is in the year you turn 55 and leave the job that provided the plan. If you don't meet a penalty exception then you'll pay a 10% penalty on top of income taxes.
Traditional IRAs
Taxes on
Roth IRAs
With a
- you must be at least 59½,
- first time home purchase (maximum of $10,000)
- disability
- paid to your beneficiary.
Annuities
Do I get the same tax deductions in retirement?
For the most part, you can continue to make the same tax deductions in retirement—home mortgage interest, charitable donations, medical expenses and state or local taxes. One notable tax deduction you'll stop using is the one for putting money in retirement plans. Instead, you'll be taking money out of these plans and owing taxes.
Note that if you take the standard deduction, you cannot itemize your deductions for medical expenses and other eligible items.
Are there ways to earn tax-free income in retirement?
Roth IRA . As explained above, it provides tax deferred growth and tax free distribution of earnings if specific requirements are met, as outlined above.
Health savings account (HSA). Any withdrawals you make to spend on healthcare expenses in retirement—like prescriptions, Medicare premiums, doctor bills and insurance copayments—are tax-free just like they were while you're working. Once you turn 65, you also can make withdrawals from your HSA to spend on non-healthcare costs without owing the 20% penalty, but you would owe income tax.
Cash-value life insurance . These policiesbuild up money you can take out and use while you're alive. If you take out your money through a policy loan, you won't owe taxes on your gains. The idea is that you don't pay off the loan, and when you pass away, the policy death benefit covers the debt so you never pay income taxes on your growth.
Taxable brokerage accounts . Taxes with these depend on the type of investments held in the brokerage account. If you own stocks or mutual funds and hold those for at least a year, any gains are considered long-term gains. If your investment capital gains plus your other taxable income for the year is below $41,675 as an individual or $83,350 as a married couple filing jointly, the long-term gains rate is 0%. This allows you to sell investments for a profit without owing taxes. Other investments in your brokerage account can generate dividends, which would be taxed as ordinary income.
Municipal bonds . To help support state and local governments, the IRS does not tax the interest income from these bonds. These bonds could be taxable at the state level though, unless it's a state municipal bond issued in your state of residence.
Do I owe tax on Social Security?
Yes, you could owe
If your combined income is below $25,000 as an individual or $32,000 as a
Does where I live affect my taxes after retirement?
Federal tax rates apply the same nationwide, but state and local taxes vary by where you live. Nine states, including popular retirement destinations
Could tax rates change during my retirement?
The U.S. tax code has changed considerably over the last 100 years. Compared to the 1960s and 1970s, taxes are at a near-historic low. However, it's quite possible that income taxes could be higher in the future.
That's why it's worth considering a retirement savings strategy that
How can I prepare for taxes after retirement?
Tax management in retirement depends on what kind of accounts your money is in. The earlier you can start preparing for retirement, the more time you'll have to set up a blend of accounts.
If you're still working on your plan, consider meeting with a