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05-23-2019, 10:11 AM
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#1
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 807
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Taxes in Retirement?
I'm starting to get worried about taxes when I retire (which is in about 9 days!) Here's the situation...any advice for me?
I will have residual "normal" work checks until mid-August. But then I'll have five and a half months of no income, plus I'll have to pay about $800/month extra for my COBRA health plan until January, when I'll get onto Medicare Advantage. I'll start getting my pension in January also (which will represent about 1/3 of my "full retirement income" when I finally get it all), then I'll have 14 months until I pick up Social Security at FRA. This means I'll have to withdraw funds from my 403b until March of 2021, at which point (when I get SS) I'll reevaluate how much I'll need to pull from the 403b.
How do I deal with taxes? I have a tax lady who started doing our taxes about three years ago (up until then, my DH had always done them.) Will she be able to help us figure out how to deal with taxes on the 403b funds, or, better yet, do it for us? Is there anything I should be doing? I don't even know how - or how often during a year - to withdraw from my 403b!
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05-23-2019, 10:34 AM
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#2
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,862
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I retired last year, and am working through this too.
I ran a "dummy" return in my 2018 H&R Block tax program, because I'm assuming nothing drastic will change for 2019. I also track our finances in Quicken, and it has a tax planner. They're about $2,000 apart on what our liability will be.
I made withdrawals from our IRA's earlier this year, and had 10% withheld for federal taxes. I also filled out a W-4V to have 12% withheld from our SS checks. I am having the same amount withheld from my pension.
Give your tax lady your estimated "work" income for this year, and how much (if any) you estimate you'll withdraw from your 403(b). If she's been doing your taxes, she'll know what else to ask for, and just tell her you want a 2019 estimate so you can plan from there.
Many like to pay the piper at the end of the year, but I'm having at least something withheld wherever I can and the paying quarterly as needed. I'd rather get a little something back than write them a check.
Hope this helps.
__________________
FIRE Class of 2018 @ 61
Old men and women sit in the shade of trees they planted long ago
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05-23-2019, 10:42 AM
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#3
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,221
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There are several ways to handle the 403b withdrawals (monthly, quarterly, annually). Since you will need it for expenses the easiest approach would probably be to take monthly withdrawals and have them direct deposited in your checking account. You can have taxes withheld from your monthly withdrawals, your tax lady should be able to tell you the best amount to have withheld based on your total taxable income.
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05-23-2019, 04:52 PM
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#4
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Sunny California
Posts: 2,567
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I believe that retirement would also count as a qualifying event if you were to buy health insurance through the ACA marketplace. I'd suggest that you at least check it out, you may be able to get insurance at a cheaper cost after the subsidy than your Cobra. Last year after I lost my job, I assumed I would not qualify so did not bother to look into it and was paying $800 monthly for my Cobra and it was killing me especially when I didn't use the insurance for more than a couple of doctors visits. I finally looked into it in December and had to estimate my income for this year, and I'm only paying $159.00 a month now with the subsidy and have a Silver plan very similar to what I had when I was working.
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05-23-2019, 07:33 PM
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#5
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 807
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Great idea, I Never thought of it!
But I will only do that if I can get Kaiser through the ACA. Do you know if I can? I am on it now, will be on it when I get Medicare Advantage, and I don't want a "gap' in Kaiser membership. My COBRA also includes dental, and I need to keep that due to bad teeth, though come to think of it, I've already used up my allowable for this year (and more...sigh...)
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05-23-2019, 07:40 PM
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#6
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 807
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SumDay
I retired last year, and am working through this too.
I ran a "dummy" return in my 2018 H&R Block tax program, because I'm assuming nothing drastic will change for 2019. I also track our finances in Quicken, and it has a tax planner. They're about $2,000 apart on what our liability will be.
I made withdrawals from our IRA's earlier this year, and had 10% withheld for federal taxes. I also filled out a W-4V to have 12% withheld from our SS checks. I am having the same amount withheld from my pension.
Give your tax lady your estimated "work" income for this year, and how much (if any) you estimate you'll withdraw from your 403(b). If she's been doing your taxes, she'll know what else to ask for, and just tell her you want a 2019 estimate so you can plan from there.
Many like to pay the piper at the end of the year, but I'm having at least something withheld wherever I can and the paying quarterly as needed. I'd rather get a little something back than write them a check.
Hope this helps.
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Thank you! This is a silly question, but when the IRA people (I'm assuming that this means my 403b, too) withhold for federal income tax, do they pay it directly to the feds? How do I tell them to withhold?
And will the W-4V for work for both the Social Security and the pension? If so, do I need a separate W-4V form for each?
(As you can tell, I don't have a clue! I am so grateful for any information, so matter how simple it seems to you or anyone, it's complicated for me (smile!))
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05-23-2019, 07:42 PM
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#7
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Santa Paula
Posts: 4,067
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I have my withdrawals spread out through the year. For estimated taxes for 4 quarters, and for our 4 sons' birthdays June through September. I also have some QCD's scheduled.
__________________
Retired Jan 2009 Have not looked back.
AA 60/35/5 considering SS and pensions a SP annuity
WR 2% with 2SS & 2 Pensions
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05-23-2019, 07:57 PM
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#8
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CindyBlue
Great idea, I Never thought of it!
But I will only do that if I can get Kaiser through the ACA. Do you know if I can? I am on it now, will be on it when I get Medicare Advantage, and I don't want a "gap' in Kaiser membership. My COBRA also includes dental, and I need to keep that due to bad teeth, though come to think of it, I've already used up my allowable for this year (and more...sigh...)
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Cindy - I'm not sure about your state, but in Hawaii, you can purchase Kaiser insurance either in the ACA marketplace, or without the government subsidy. Lots of (confusing) plans to choose from!
You can easily check here: https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org...d-family-plans
Enjoy your retirement!
__________________
Balance in everything.
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05-23-2019, 07:57 PM
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#9
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 807
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zinger1457
There are several ways to handle the 403b withdrawals (monthly, quarterly, annually). Since you will need it for expenses the easiest approach would probably be to take monthly withdrawals and have them direct deposited in your checking account. You can have taxes withheld from your monthly withdrawals, your tax lady should be able to tell you the best amount to have withheld based on your total taxable income.
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Thank you so much!
Do you know what information I need to give my tax lady to get this information started? Does it have to be an "official" paper? Because I don't have it yet, for either the pension of the 403b. I am assuming I have to give her the information as to how much I'll be getting per month for the pension, but that process hadn't officially started yet due to the deadline given to me by the financial person at work not being able to start her process until a certain date that isn't here yet. (I tried to start everything rolling in January, because I like to plan ahead, both for cobra and for the pension and for the 403B, but she said we can't do it yet. I am quite frustrated, but there's nothing I can do. I do have estimates, and I do have enough in savings to cover me until I can get the pension and the 403b withdrawal straightened out.)
I've never had to understand any of this - I just put my money into the 403b and got my paycheck. I am very nervous and frankly anxious about all this. And my husband is about to be in the same position, as he works at the same place as I do, and he will be retiring at the same time, and we each have a defined benefit (the pension, up to 2014) a defined contribution 403b (when they froze the defined benefit in 2014) and our own 403b. And he's already taking Social Security. That means seven income sources (with one more added when I finally get to Social Security.) It's almost difficult enough to keep working so I don't have to deal with it!
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05-23-2019, 08:04 PM
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#10
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,862
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CindyBlue
Thank you! This is a silly question, but when the IRA people (I'm assuming that this means my 403b, too) withhold for federal income tax, do they pay it directly to the feds? How do I tell them to withhold?
And will the W-4V for work for both the Social Security and the pension? If so, do I need a separate W-4V form for each?
(As you can tell, I don't have a clue! I am so grateful for any information, so matter how simple it seems to you or anyone, it's complicated for me (smile!))
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Yes, they forward your money to Uncle Sam. You should contact your HR department to get info on contacting the plan administrator. Each is different, so call and talk through the process with them. They would probably have you fill out a regular W4 for your pension. They surely have a process for withholding elections. The W4V is only for SS.
Wish I could be more specific but I don't have enough to do so.
Good luck, you can do it!
__________________
FIRE Class of 2018 @ 61
Old men and women sit in the shade of trees they planted long ago
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05-23-2019, 09:32 PM
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#11
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 807
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Thank you - I will stop into the office tomorrow and try to figure it out for the pension (defined benefit) and hopefully the defined contribution plan, too.
I appreciate your confidence that I can do it! Come to think of it, I HAVE to do it, don't I (smile!)
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05-24-2019, 08:12 AM
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#12
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: South Texas~29N/98W Just West of Woman Hollering Creek
Posts: 6,668
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Quote:
I am very nervous and frankly anxious about all this.
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Calm down.
No need to be nervous/anxious. This is something that millions of your citizen-neighbors are dealing with already. When you receive a distribution from your PLAN just request that they withhold taxes. Your investment company will send you a form 1099R next January. take that form to your tax gal and she will know how to handle it.
__________________
Part-Owner of Texas
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. Groucho Marx
In dire need of: faster horses, younger woman, older whiskey, more money.
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05-24-2019, 08:27 AM
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#13
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 807
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mickeyd
Calm down.
No need to be nervous/anxious. This is something that millions of your citizen-neighbors are dealing with already. When you receive a distribution from your PLAN just request that they withhold taxes. Your investment company will send you a form 1099R next January. take that form to your tax gal and she will know how to handle it.
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Thank you for the good advice - if millions of other people have done it and are doing it, I guess I can. It's the unknown that is getting to me. I've got a lot of other things going on right now (dad getting harder to deal with as he shows more and more signs of dementia, dealing with the last days of work, etc.) so this was sort of the final straw. I need to think positively!
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05-24-2019, 08:35 AM
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#14
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sarasota, FL & Vermont
Posts: 36,201
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Yup... calm down.
Your earnings, including residual checks will be income subject to tax, as will your pension and 403b withdrawals.
A portion of your Social Security will be taxed depending on your other income.... between 0% and 85% depending on yor other income... if you have a pension my guess would be 50% or 85%.
You can have taxes withheld on earnings and 403b withdrawals.
First thing is to sketch out on paper your sources of income for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 (at which point you'll be steady state because it is your first full year of SS). Then either plug those earnings into a tax calculator if you're up to it or go talk with your tax lady.
__________________
If something cannot endure laughter.... it cannot endure.
Patience is the art of concealing your impatience.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Retired Jan 2012 at age 56
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05-24-2019, 08:42 AM
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#15
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Sunny California
Posts: 2,567
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HNL Bill
Cindy - I'm not sure about your state, but in Hawaii, you can purchase Kaiser insurance either in the ACA marketplace, or without the government subsidy. Lots of (confusing) plans to choose from!
You can easily check here: https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org...d-family-plans
Enjoy your retirement!
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Multiple Kaiser ACA plans available in California as well. Here is a link that might be helpful.
https://www.healthcare.gov/
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05-24-2019, 09:14 AM
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#16
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 807
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I looked up the Kaiser websites (both of them) and in each case, they seem to only let me enroll in ACA if my Cobra is exhausted - am I missing something??
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05-24-2019, 09:17 AM
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#17
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 807
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Finally got in to the Kaiser website to see what plans I would be qualified for, and the least expensive was $848, without dental, so I guess I'm stuck with Cobra...but thanks everyone!
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05-24-2019, 09:51 AM
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#18
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sarasota, FL & Vermont
Posts: 36,201
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Does the $848 consider your income level and any available subsidies?
Many people here manage their income to qualify for subsidies that dramatically reduces their net cost of health insurance.
__________________
If something cannot endure laughter.... it cannot endure.
Patience is the art of concealing your impatience.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Retired Jan 2012 at age 56
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05-24-2019, 10:15 AM
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#19
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Tampa
Posts: 11,196
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Yeah $848 monthly for California in general appears on the high side.
At what income does that rate apply to?
__________________
TGIM
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05-24-2019, 11:29 AM
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#20
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 807
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dtail
Yeah $848 monthly for California in general appears on the high side.
At what income does that rate apply to?
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We are still trying to figure out our "income" for the year 2019, assuming we are paid through August 15th and not after. Hubby will still get his SS (he's already taking it) and he will start his pension since he's older than I am. Being as part of that pension goes to his ex-wife (divorced 30 years ago) we can't figure out what he will be bringing home - still waiting on the results of the paperwork we submitted.
So guessing, I entered about 75% of what the two of us earn during a normal year. And no subsidy, no help...sigh...The problem is for me - my income is way down, while my spending will be way up due to having to pay my medical, while his income will only be down about 1/4.
I think that paying the Cobra, since it's still Kaiser anyway, is the way to go.
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