SECURE Act 2019 Summary

The SECURE Act of 2019 brings the second major Congressional action for tax and retirement reform in 24 months. These new laws will bring major changes to retirement planning going forward, with key changes geared towards beneficiaries of retirement plans and encouraging participation in employer-sponsored retirement plans. If you have questions about how this legislation impacts your financial plan, please contact your wealth consultant, especially if you are planning to leave your IRA to non-spousal heirs; and if you are above 70 ½, still working, and wish to contribute to an IRA. The SECURE Act of 2019 brings the second major Congressional action for tax and retirement reform in 24 months. These new laws will bring major changes to retirement planning going forward, with a key changes geared towards beneficiaries of retirement plans and encouraging participation in employer-sponsored retirement plans. If you have questions about how this legislation impacts your financial plan, please contact your wealth consultant, especially if you are planning to leave your IRA to non-spousal heirs; and if you are above 70 ½, still working, and wish to contribute to an IRA.

Key Changes

 

1. NEW IRA RULES

a. Elimination of stretch provision: Inherited IRAs and other retirement accounts for non-spouse beneficiaries must be distributed within 10 years, instead of over the life expectancy of the beneficiary. This change will likely increase taxes for beneficiaries as distributions from these accounts are taxed as ordinary income.

i. Applicable only to those passing away following 12/31/2019.

ii. No distribution requirements within those 10 years, giving some flexibility on timing.

iii. Beneficiaries excluded from 10-year rule

  • Spouses
  • Disabled persons
  • Chronically ill
  • Individuals who are less than 10 years younger than decedent
  • Certain minor children until they reach the age of majority

Example: Mark’s father passes away on 02/01/2020, and he inherits an IRA worth $400,000. Under new laws, Mark is required to distribute the entire account within 10 years. Mark is planning to retire in 2025 at the age of 60, so he can distribute the entirety of the account after that date when his income is lower.

b. Change in Required Minimum Distribution Age from 70 ½ to 72: This applies to those who turn 70 ½ in 2020 or later. Those turning 70 ½ in 2019 will not be able to delay until they turn 72.

i. First year RMDs can be delayed from 12/31 of the year they turn 72, to April 1st the following year.

c. Traditional IRA contributions allowed after age 70 ½: Beginning in 2020, contributions can be made as long as an individual has earned income. If you are over 72, you will still be required to take an RMD.

Example: Susan is 72 in 2020 and working, earning $75,000 per year. She has an IRA worth $600,000. In 2020, she can make contributions of $7,000, but she is still required to take an RMD.

 

2. EMPLOYEE SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLAN PROVISIONS

a. Annuities allowed in 401(k) plans: ERISA fiduciary Safe Harbor rules have been expanded to allow for annuity and lifetime income options within employer plans.

b. Tax credit for small business retirement plans: Incentives have increased for business owners with 100 or fewer employees to establish a retirement plan. Tax credits will be increased from $500 to up to $5,000 for new plans.

c. Tax credit for adoption of auto-enrollment of participants in 401(k) plans: Employers who adopt an Eligible Automatic Enrollment Agreement can be eligible for an additional tax credit of $500. Businesses that already have retirement plans in place can qualify for this starting in 2020.

d. Maximum contribution for the 401(k) automatic enrollment increased to 15%, up from 10%.

e. Part-time workers accessibility to retirement benefits: Starting in 2021, long-term part-time employees who work at least 500 hours in at least three consecutive years will be eligible to participate in their employers 401(k) plan. Currently, employers aren’t required to offer coverage for employees who work less than 1,000 hours per year.

 

3. OTHER PROVISIONS

a. Qualified education expenses for 529 plan funds expanded for student loans and apprenticeship programs.

b. Kiddie tax reverts applicable children’s income to be subject to child’s parents’ marginal tax rate

c. Qualified Disaster Distributions up to $100,000 per disaster from retirement accounts.

d. Qualified Birth or Adoption Distribution up to $5,000 can be distributed without 10% penalty.

e. Taxable non-tuition fellowship and stipend payments treated as compensation for IRA purposes.

f. Non-deductible IRA contributions can be made with certain foster care payments.

g. Elimination of 401(k) loans made via credit cards or similar arrangements

 

4. TAX BREAKS REINSTATED FOR 2018-2020

a. Discharge of certain qualified principal residence indebtedness is excluded from gross income.

b. Allowance of mortgage insurance premium deduction.

c. Deduction of qualified tuition and related expenses.

d. AGI ‘hurdle rate’ for deducting qualified medical expenses to remain at 7.5%.

 

 

DISCLOSURE: This material has been prepared or is distributed solely for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation or an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed and Evergreen makes no representation as to its accuracy or completeness. While Evergreen does our best to benefit our clients from a tax perspective, we are in no way tax professionals. Any specific tax related questions should be directed to your CPA.   

 

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