By Heidi Clute
AdviceIQ.
We all make mistakes, and through them, we learn. But when it comes to finances, it is best not to take the trial-and-error approach. Avoiding some of the following financial mistakes might save you a great deal of money and heartache.
CASHING OUT A RETIREMENT ACCOUNT TO PAY OFF LOANS
Substantial income tax penalties can hit you if you tap into retirement accounts before a certain age. Even if there are no penalties, cashing out an entire account at once potentially puts you in a higher tax bracket.
The amounts you withdraw before you reach 59 1/2 are called early or premature distributions. They may be subject to an additional 10 percent tax. (As always, there are some exceptions to this rule, so consult with a qualified accountant, financial advisor or the Internal Revenue Service.)
The Great Recession forced many people to tap into retirement accounts to pay mounting bills and loans. This was a measure of last resort, but the moral of this story is: If you have to take a distribution, you should at least understand the tax implications up front and mitigate the impact.
MISSING RETIREMENT ACCOUNT ROLLOVER DATES
You can move your wealth around by receiving a check from a qualified retirement account and deposit that money into another retirement account within 60 calendar days.
If you miss the deadline, the IRS treats the amount as a taxable distribution. Further, your 401(k) plan provider withholds 20 percent for federal income taxes. You have to add funds from other sources equal to the gross distribution to avoid possible tax penalties.
The lesson here? Rollover your accounts using a trustee-to-trustee transfer whenever possible. Having your custodian send your funds to another directly may be a better way to do a rollover.
FAILING TO UPDATE BENEFICIARIES
Forgetting to remove a former spouse’s name as the beneficiary on retirement accounts or insurance policies happens. This could result in failing to provide for your children, a new spouse or other loved ones. Check your beneficiary designations annually and when a major life transition, such as a marriage, divorce or birth, occurs.
NO WILL
If you do not have a will, when you die, the laws of intestacy determine who receives your assets. Drafting a will helps you maintain control of these important matters. Speak with an attorney to discuss preparing a will that documents where you want your money to go when you’re gone. Once you draft the will and name the beneficiaries or guardians, review it every few years and when things in your life change.
NO POWER OF ATTORNEY
A power of attorney is an important document that allows you to select a point person (often a spouse or trusted family member) to make decisions on your behalf. This person can access your finances and help with bills, medical expenses and sign tax returns.
If you do not have a power of attorney in place, and you become incapacitated, your family has to petition the courts for a conservatorship. This process often takes months, costs thousands of dollars and thus compounds the financial pressure.
The lesson here is to speak with an attorney to help select a POA, and while you’re at it, discuss a health-care proxy, your agent would make medical decisions on your behalf, should you be unable to convey your wishes.
SINGLE-LIFE ONLY PENSION
When you start taking your pension benefits, you can choose to get payments that last for just your life or for the lives of both you and your spouse. This is an irrevocable decision. The monthly payout is higher with a single-life pension versus joint ones. Many people often take the highest pension option available. They don’t realize that upon death, their spouse may end up relying solely on Social Security. You might think that you will outlive your spouse, or that he or she does not need the income, but no one can predict the future. Consult with a financial advisor about your pension options and income needs.
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ABOUT THE WRITER
Heidi Clute is the majority owner of Clute Wealth Management in South Burlington, Vt., and Plattsburgh, N.Y., an independent firm that provides strategic financial and investment planning for individuals and small businesses in the Champlain Valley region of New York and Vermont.
