LASER Funds Could Be Your Best Retirement Vehicle – Why Are They Tax-free? (2024)

FAQs

What is a laser fund retirement? ›

LASERS is a defined benefit plan, meaning your retirement benefits are set by law and guaranteed by the state regardless of market fluctuations. Retirement benefits are based on years of service, final average compensation, and the benefit accrual rate set by law.

Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) – Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s have tax-free qualified withdrawals at retirement since taxes are paid on contributions.

A Roth IRA is often an attractive savings vehicle to consider for individuals who expect their tax rate to be higher during retirement than it is currently. Roth IRAs allow you to pay taxes on money going into your account and then all future withdrawals are tax-free.

An individual retirement account (IRA) allows you to save money for retirement in a tax-advantaged way. An IRA is an account set up at a financial institution that allows an individual to save for retirement with tax-free growth or on a tax-deferred basis.

Yes, you can withdraw money from your 401(k) before age 59½. However, early withdrawals often come with hefty penalties and tax consequences. If you find yourself needing to tap into your retirement funds early, here are rules to be aware of and options to consider.

You have to pay income tax on your pension and on withdrawals from any tax-deferred investments—such as traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s and similar retirement plans, and tax-deferred annuities—in the year you take the money. The taxes that are due reduce the amount you have left to spend.

Roth IRA. If your annual income isn't too high, a Roth IRA is one of the best retirement accounts available. While your Roth IRA contributions aren't tax-deductible today, you don't have to pay income taxes on the withdrawals you make once you retire.

A Roth 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement savings account that is funded with post-tax money. Withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.

How do I avoid taxes on retirement withdrawals? ›

One of the easiest ways to lower the amount of taxes you have to pay on 401(k) withdrawals is to convert to a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k). Withdrawals from Roth accounts are not taxed. Some methods allow you to save on taxes but also require you to take out more from your 401(k) than you actually need.

Yes. While creditors such as your bank typically cannot seize money from a retirement fund to settle up debt, the same rules do not apply to the Internal Revenue Service.

Though retirement may seem far off, saving for it as early as possible will ensure you have enough money to get you through your retirement years. In addition, investing benefits from compounding returns, which will increase your money more over a longer period of time.

A 401(k) is the most common type of employer-sponsored retirement plan. Your employer preselects a few investment choices and you defer a portion of each paycheck to the account. If you leave your job, you may take your 401(k) funds with you or leave them where they are.

You can withdraw money from your IRA at any time. However, a 10% additional tax generally applies if you withdraw IRA or retirement plan assets before you reach age 59½, unless you qualify for another exception to the tax.

You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.

You generally must start taking withdrawals from your traditional IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and retirement plan accounts when you reach age 72 (73 if you reach age 72 after Dec. 31, 2022).

A Roth IRA account is an individual retirement account (IRA) that provides tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals in retirement. Here's how it works: Contributions: You can contribute up to a certain amount per year to your Roth IRA, depending on your age and income.

Where is the safest place to put your retirement money? ›

Most of our experts agree that one of the safest places to keep your money is in a savings account insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). “High-yield savings accounts are an excellent option for those looking to keep their retirement savings safe.

States with no income tax

Retirement distributions from 401(k) plans or IRAs are considered income for tax purposes. Fortunately, there are some states that don't charge taxes on retirement income of any kind: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

Traditional IRAs

Any deductible contributions and earnings you withdraw or that are distributed from your traditional IRA are taxable. Also, if you are under age 59 ½ you may have to pay an additional 10% tax for early withdrawals unless you qualify for an exception.

The IRS has wide discretion to exercise its levy authority. IRC § 6331(a) provides that the IRS generally may “levy upon all property and rights to property,” which includes retirement savings.

Yes, you will owe taxes on 401k withdrawals after age 66. This is because even though you have reached retirement age, the funds are still classified as ordinary income and are subject to income tax.

The best employer-sponsored retirement plans include 401(k)s and 403(b)s, and 457(b)s.

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) covers two types of retirement plans: defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans.

There is a general rule of thumb: When saving for retirement, most experts recommend an annual retirement savings goal of 10% to 15% of your pre-tax income.

LASERS is a long-term investor managed by its Board of Trustees and a team of dedicated investment professionals. Investment income is the main source of revenue for benefits paid to our members and their beneficiaries. The ultimate goal is to provide our members with retirement stability.

How do I withdraw from LASER for retirement? ›

On the LASERS website, go to Forms at the top of the screen, Select Member Forms; under DROP/IBO choose the form 09-03 Request for Withdrawal from DROP-IBO. The completed form may be faxed to 225-935-2856 or mailed to P. O. Box 44213, Baton Rouge, LA 70804. Online withdrawals are allowed from Empower accounts.

The IRA is one of the most common retirement plans. An individual can set up an IRA at a financial institution, such as a bank or brokerage firm, to hold investments — stocks, mutual funds, bonds and cash — earmarked for retirement.

A 401(k) is the most common type of employer-sponsored retirement plan. Your employer preselects a few investment choices and you defer a portion of each paycheck to the account. If you leave your job, you may take your 401(k) funds with you or leave them where they are.

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The 4% rule is easy to follow. In the first year of retirement, you can withdraw up to 4% of your portfolio's value. If you have $1 million saved for retirement, for example, you could spend $40,000 in the first year of retirement following the 4% rule.

This is where the rule of 55 comes in. If you turn 55 during the calendar year you lose or leave your job, you can begin taking distributions from your 401(k) without paying the early withdrawal penalty. However, you must still pay taxes on your withdrawals.

Which retirement account can you withdraw from without penalty? ›

The IRS dictates you can withdraw funds from your 401(k) account without penalty only after you reach age 59½, become permanently disabled, or are otherwise unable to work.

What Is the Average Retirement Income? For adults 65 and older, the average income is $75,254, according to the most recent research published by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2022. The median income, on the other hand, is $47,620. Adjusted for inflation in 2023, those numbers become $83,085 and $52,575.

How much money do you need to retire? A good rule of thumb is to save enough to cover 80% of your pre-retirement income. You'll need to account for inflation and how it affects your purchasing power down the line. Retirement needs are highly individualized based on your desired lifestyle.

Average Retirement Income in 2021

According to the United States Census Bureau, the median annual income for individuals ages 65 and older is $47,620, while the mean annual income is $75,254.