Johnson County Estate Planning

What Happens to Social Security Payments after a Person Dies?

“The Social Security Administration should be notified as soon as possible after a beneficiary dies. Depending on your relationship to the deceased, you may be entitled to benefits for survivors.”

How does the federal government know to stop sending Social Security payments when a recipient has died? What if the surviving spouse or a dependent doesn’t know they are entitled to benefits after a loved one has died?

Tackling this issue when an older person or spouse has died can be complicated, but a helpful article from CNBC titled “Here’s what happens to Social Security payments when you die” provides important answers.

The Social Security Administration needs to be notified of the death of a benefit recipient as soon as possible. In some cases, funeral homes have a notification process, and they report the death. The person who has been named as the deceased’s executor can also call Social Security.

Whoever calls or contacts the Social Security Administration will need to know the decedent’s Social Security number.

The last month a person is eligible for Social Security benefits is the month prior to their death. Any benefit paid after the month of their death must be refunded. That’s because each payment received represents the previous month’s benefits. If a person dies in August—even if they die on August 31—July is the last month they were eligible for benefits.

If benefits are made by direct deposit, the bank needs to be notified, so it can return the benefit. Using those funds after a recipient has died is a federal crime, even if the death is not reported. If the SSA receives notice of this occurring, the agency may initiate a criminal investigation. The SSA and other government agencies coordinate their records to identify any unreported deaths.

Anyone already receiving money based on the deceased’s record will automatically convert to survivor benefits, once the SSA receives notice of the death. However, in other cases, the surviving spouse should contact SSA to apply for survivors’ benefits. This must be done by appointment in person at a local office, since it cannot be done online.

If the surviving spouse has reached full retirement age, they can get their deceased spouse’s full benefit. They can apply for reduced benefits as early as age 60 or age 50, if they are disabled. If the survivor qualifies for Social Security on their own earnings record, they can switch to their own benefit anytime between ages 62 and 70, if the benefit amount would be greater.

There is usually a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 given to a surviving spouse or qualified child.

Reference: CNBC (Aug. 16, 2021) “Here’s what happens to Social Security payments when you die”

When Social Security Makes the Most Sense

“When should you sign up for Social Security? It is a good question. Many seniors grapple with that decision, and understandably so, since the age at which you claim benefits will dictate how much money you will receive each month during retirement.”

There’s an unfortunate tendency to focus on how to get the most out of Social Security in total benefits, but that’s not always the right approach to determine when to apply for Social Security. Everyone has the same eight-year window—from age 62 to 70—when they can start applying for benefits, as explained in the article “Why Claiming Social Security at 65 Is a Smart Bet” from The Motley Fool. The year you were born determines when Social Security sets your Full Retirement Age, or FRA.

Whether you take Social Security at age 62, which is the earliest you can take it, or at 70, after which you’ve maxed out on monthly benefits and there’s no reason to delay, depends on many different factors. For example, do you expect to live a long time based on your family history? If so, it may make sense to wait. However, if you have a number of health conditions and expect to have a shorter life span, then take your benefits early and enjoy them—you earned them.

The most common age for starting Social Security benefits is at age 62. A much smaller percentage of seniors wait until age 70 to collect benefits. Doing so locks in a higher benefit for life, but if you don’t live much longer than 70, the benefit doesn’t matter quite as much.

Going from one extreme to the other points to a choice in the middle: age 65. That’s when Medicare kicks in. Some people get these benefits confused. They think that once they are eligible for Medicare, they are eligible for full Social Security benefits. This is not true. However, 65 is still a good age to start taking Social Security benefits for a few reasons.

• You’re not taking Social Security at the earliest age possible, so you have had two years for your benefits to increase.
• You’re not taking Social Security at the latest age. Therefore, if you don’t live into your 90s, you’ll still have had those years to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

The numbers-crunchers at Social Security work to make sure that everyone gets the same lifetime benefits, regardless of when they file. The logic is simple: claim early, and get a smaller benefit, possibly for a longer lifetime. Delay your claim, and the same amount of money in total will come to you, just in fewer payments.

There is another advantage for claiming Social Security around the same time you switch over to Medicare. Your Part B premiums will be directly paid from Social Security benefits. That means you’ll have some protection against rising premiums. That’s because of what’s known as the “hold harmless provision.” It is a provision that attempts to limit how much of a bite Medicare premiums can take out of Social Security benefits. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s a little bit of a help.

Reference: The Motley Fool (July 10, 2020) “Why Claiming Social Security at 65 Is a Smart Bet”

Social Security and Medicare and the Impact on Retiree Taxes

“Medicare has a series of income limits that trigger increasingly higher payments for retirees. And it’s not just the rich who are affected.”

A 70% increase in Medicare premiums to $559 was a complete surprise to a woman who became a single taxpayer when her husband died. She felt like she was being punished for being a widow, she said in a recent article titled “Retirees, Beware These Tax Torpedoes” from Barron’s. With a 2018 modified adjusted gross income of $163,414, a combination of required minimum distributions, Social Security and her husband’s pensions, she went from being in the third-highest Medicare bracket into the second highest Medicare bracket. All it took was $414 dollars to exceed the $163,000 limit.

This is not the only tax trap awaiting unwary retirees. Lower- and middle-income taxpayers get hit by what’s commonly referred to as “tax torpedoes,” as rising income during retirement triggers new taxes. That includes Social Security income, which is taxed after reaching a certain limit. The resulting marginal tax rate—as high as 40.8%—is made worse by a Medicare surtax of 0.9% on couples with taxable income exceeding $250,000. Capital gains taxes also increase, as income rises.

It may be too late to make changes for this tax-filing year, even with a three-month extension to July 15. However, there are a few steps that retirees can take to avoid or minimize these taxes for next year. The simplest one: delay spending from one year to the next and be extra careful about taking funds from after-tax accounts.

What hurts most is if you’re on the borderline of a bracket. Just one wrong move, like selling a stock or taking a distribution, puts you into the next bracket. You need to plan carefully.

One thing that won’t be a concern for 2020 taxes: required minimum distributions. While many retirees get pushed into tax traps because of taking large RMDs, the emergency legislation passed in response to the coronavirus crisis (the CARES Act) eliminated RMDs for this year.

However, the RMDs will be back in 2021, so now is a good time to start thinking about how to avoid any of the typical tax torpedoes. RMDs used to start at age 70½; the SECURE Act changed that to 72.

If you don’t need the money from an RMD in 2021, one workaround is to take it as a qualified charitable distribution. That avoids triggering higher taxes or higher future Medicare premiums. The administrator of the tax-deferred account needs to be instructed to make a donation directly to a charity.

An even better strategy: take steps long before Medicare income limits or tax torpedoes hit. If you can, live on after-tax savings, Roth IRA accounts or inherited money. Spend that money first, before tapping into tax-deferred accounts. You can then take advantage of being in a lower tax bracket to convert money from tax-deferred money to convert to Roth IRAs.

Another story of a tax hit that was avoided: a man with an income of about $80,000 prepared to take $4,000 from a tax-deferred account for a vacation. The couple’s normal top tax bracket was 12%, but they hit the income limit on Social Security taxes. The $4,000 in additional income would have caused $3,400 in Social Security income to be taxed, making his marginal tax rate 22.2% instead of 12%. With the help of a good advisor, the couple instead took $3,000 from a Roth IRA and sold a stock position for $1,000, where there were practically no capital gains generated.

Incomes at all levels can be hit by these tax and Medicare torpedoes. A skilled advisor can help protect your retirement and Social Security funds.

Reference: Barron’s (July 6, 2020) “Retirees, Beware These Tax Torpedoes”

Working and Collecting Social Security Benefits

“For most Americans, Social Security plays an important role in maintaining retirement security. The benefit payments represent an income stream that is free of default, investment, inflation and longevity (outliving your money) risks.”

For decades, Americans have taken comfort from knowing that no matter what else happened with their retirement savings, they would be able to get Social Security benefits when they stopped working. Even better, the benefit grows with inflation and continues for as long as the person or their spouse lives, explains the article “How working changes your Social Security benefits” from The Sun.

Workers and spouses who qualify for Social Security have the option of starting to receive benefits at any time from age 62 to 70. Benefits received before reaching Full Retirement Age (FRA) will be smaller than those received after a worker reaches their FRA. These amounts are worked out in a series of complex calculations by actuaries to ensure that everyone receives their fair share. If you retire later, after FRA, the monthly benefit will be higher. If you wait until age 70, the monthly benefit will have reached its maximum level.

Less well understood is the effect of continuing to work, while collecting Social Security benefits. You can decide to stay in the workforce and apply for benefits. However, if you claim benefits before your FRA and your income exceeds certain levels, there’s a reduction in the full monthly benefit that you would otherwise receive.

This is known as the Retirement Earnings Test, or RET. It does not apply to earnings from investments and pensions, but it does apply to earned income.

Someone who will be younger than their FRA during the entire calendar year will lose $1 in benefits for every $2 they earn above $18,240 in 2020. There was a $600 increase from the 2019 earnings test.

For every two dollars you earn above $18,240, Social Security will deduct one dollar from your benefits. However, the money that is withheld will be added back into your benefits when you reach FRA.

Let’s say you earn $20,240 in 2020 and you’re 62 years old. You’ll temporarily give up $1,000 in benefits for going $2,000 over the earnings limit test. However, you will get it back.

What if you are reaching FRA in 2020? The earnings test limit is $48,600 in 2021, a jump of $1,680 from the 2019 limit of $46,920. In this situation, once your earnings reach $48,600 in 2020, $1 in benefits will be withheld from every $3 you earn.

The typical response to learning how the RET works, is that it’s a harsh penalty and why work at all?

Some people stop working altogether or work less to avoid the penalty. That is a mistake. By continuing to work, once a person does reach FRA, Social Security increases the monthly benefit amount for the rest of the person’s life. Any benefits lost in earlier years are recouped. Think of it as a rescheduling of payments, from pre-FRA to post-FRA. It’s not a penalty, but another means of saving for the time when you are not working.

Reference: The Sun (June 21, 2020) “How working changes your Social Security benefits”

What Must Be Done when a Loved One Dies?

“It can be hard to move through your daily life after someone you love dies. It may be even harder to embark on the complex tasks required to put their financial affairs in order. However, you can't afford to put that off.”

When a member of a family dies, it falls to the people left behind to pick up the pieces. Someone has to find out if the person left a last will, get the bills paid, stop Social Security or other automatic payments and file final tax returns. This is a hard time, but these tasks are among many that need to be done, according to the article “How to manage a loved one’s finances after they die” from Business Insider.

This year, more families than usual are faced with the challenge of taking care of the business of a loved one’s life while grieving a loss. When death comes suddenly, there isn’t always time to prepare.

The first step is to determine who will be in charge. If there is a will, then it contains the name of the person selected to be the executor. When a married person dies, usually the surviving spouse has been named as the executor. Otherwise, the family will need to work together to pick one person, usually the one who lives closest to the person who died. That person may need to keep an eye on the house and obtain documents, so proximity is a plus. In a perfect world, the person would have an estate plan, so these decisions would have been made in advance.

Don’t procrastinate. It is hard, but time is an issue. After the funeral and mourning period, it’s time to get to work. Obtain death certificates, and make sure to get enough certified copies—most people get ten or twelve. They’ll be needed for banks, brokerage houses and utility service providers. You’ll also need death certificates for taking control of some digital assets, like the person’s Facebook page.

The first agency to notify is Social Security. If there are other recurring payments, like VA benefits or a pension, those organizations also need to be notified. Contact banks, insurance companie, and financial advisors.

Get the person’s credit cards into your possession and call the credit card companies immediately. Fraud on the deceased is common. Scammers look at death notices and then go onto the dark web to find the person’s Social Security number, credit card and other personal identification info. The sooner the cards are shut down, the better.

Physical assets need to be secured. Locks on a house may be changed to prevent relatives or strangers from walking into the house and taking out property. Remove any possessions that are of value, both sentimental or financial. You should also take a complete inventory of what is in the house. Take pictures of everything and be prepared to keep the house well-maintained. If there are tenants or housemates, make arrangements to get them out of the house as soon as possible.

Accounts with beneficiaries are distributed directly to those beneficiaries, like payable-on-death (POD) accounts, 401(k)s, joint bank accounts and real property held in joint tenancy. The executor’s role is to notify the institutions of the death, but not to distribute funds to beneficiaries.

The executor must also file a final tax return. The final federal tax return is due on April 15 of the year after death. Any taxes that weren’t filed for any prior years, also need to be completed.

This is a big job, which is made harder by grief. Your estate planning attorney may have some suggestions for who might be qualified to help you. An attorney or a fiduciary will take a fee, either based on an hourly rate for services performed or a percentage of the entire value of the estate. If no one in the family is able to manage the tasks, it may be worth the investment.

Reference: Business Insider (May 2, 2020) “How to manage a loved one’s finances after they die”

Steps to Take When a Loved One Dies

“When a member of your family dies, you could be left to pick up the financial pieces. Finding all the information you need can be challenging.”

This year, more families than usual are finding themselves grappling with the challenge of managing the affairs of a loved one who has died. Handling these tasks while mourning is hard, and often families do not have time to prepare, says the article “How to manage a loved one’s finances after they die” from Business Insider. The following are some tips to help get through this difficult time.

Someone has to be in charge. If there is a will, there should be a person named who is responsible for administering the estate, usually called the executor or personal representative. If there is no will, it will be best if one person has the necessary skills to take the lead.

When one member of a married couple dies, the surviving spouse is the usual choice. Otherwise, a family member who lives closest to the deceased is the next best choice. That person will need to get documents from the local court and take care of the residence until it is sold. Being physically nearby can make many tasks easier.

It is always better if these decisions are made before the person dies. Wills should be kept up to date, as should power of attorney documents, trusts and advance directives. When naming an executor or trustee, let them know what you are asking of them. For instance, don’t name someone who hates pets and children to be your children’s guardian or be responsible for your beloved dogs when you die.

Don’t delay. Grief is a powerful emotion, especially if the death was unexpected. It may be hard to get through the regular tasks of your day, never mind the additional work of managing an estate. However, there are risks to delaying, including becoming a target of scammers.

Get more death certificates than seems necessary. Make your life easier by getting at least a dozen certified copies, so you don’t have to keep going back to the source. Banks, brokerage houses, phone companies, utilities, credit card companies, etc., will all want to see the death certificate. While there are instances where a copy will be accepted, in many cases you will need an original, with a raised seal. In fact, in some states it is a crime to photocopy a death certificate.

Who to notify? The first call needs to be to the Social Security Administration. You may also want to send an email. If Social Security benefits continue to be paid, returning the money can turn into a time-consuming ordeal. If there are any other recurring payments, like VA benefits or a pension, those institutions need to be notified. The same is true when it comes to insurance companies, banks and credit card companies. Fraud on the credit cards of the deceased is quite common. When a notice of death is published, criminals look for the person’s credit card and Social Security numbers on the dark web. Act fast to prevent fraud.

Protect the physical property. Secure the home right away. Are there plants to be watered or pets that need care? Take pictures, create an inventory and consider changing locks. Take any valuables out of the house and place in a secure location. If the house is going to be empty, make sure to take care of the property to avoid any deterioration.

Paying the bills. Depending on the person’s level of organization, you’ll have to identify where the money is and if anything is being paid automatically. Old tax returns can be helpful to identify income sources. Figure out what accounts need payment, like utilities.

Some accounts are distributed directly to beneficiaries, like transfer-on-death accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs and life insurance policies. Joint bank accounts and real property held in joint tenancy will pass directly to the joint owner. The executor’s role is to inform the institutions of the death, but not to distribute funds.

File tax returns. You’ll have to do the final taxes, due on April 15 of the year after death. If taxes weren’t filed for any prior years, the executor has to do those as well.

Consider getting help. An estate planning lawyer can help with the administration of an estate, if it becomes overwhelming. Regardless of who handles this process, expect the tasks to take anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the complexity of the estate.

Reference: Business Insider (May 2, 2020) “How to manage a loved one’s finances after they die”

Would an Early Retirement and Early Social Security Be Smart?

“For many older adults, claiming Social Security early would be a big mistake. It was a mistake made by many older workers, who lost jobs in the Great Recession.”

For older employees who are laid off as a result of the pandemic, the idea of an early retirement and taking Social Security benefits early may seem like the best or only way forward. However, cautions Forbes in the article “Should You Take Social Security Earlier Than Planned If You’re Laid Off Due to COVID-19?,” this could be a big mistake with long-term repercussions.

In the recession that began in 2008, there were very few jobs for older workers. As a result, many had no choice but to take Social Security early. The problem is that taking benefits early means a smaller benefit.

In 2009, one year after the market took a nosedive, as many as 42.4 percent of 62-year-olds signed up for Social Security benefits. By comparison, in 2008, the number of 62-year-olds who took Social Security benefits was 37.6 percent.

You can start taking Social Security early and then stop it later. However, there are other options for those who are strapped for cash.

There is a new tool from the IRS that allows taxpayers to update their direct deposit information to get their stimulus payment faster and track when to expect it. There is also a separate tool for non-tax filers.

Apply for unemployment insurance. Yes, the online system is coping with huge demand, so it is going to take more than a little effort and patience. However, unemployment insurance is there for this very same purpose. Part of the economic stimulus package extends benefits to gig workers, freelancers and the self-employed, who are not usually eligible for unemployment.

Consider asking a family member for a loan, or a gift. Any individual is allowed to give someone else up to $15,000 a year with no tax consequences. Gifts that are larger require a gift tax return, but no tax is due. The amount is simply counted against the amount that any one person can give tax free during their lifetime. That amount is now over $11 million. By law, you can accept a loan from a family member up to $10,000 with no paperwork. After that amount, you’ll need a written loan agreement that states that interest will be charged – at least the minimum AFR—Applicable Federal Rate. An estate planning attorney can help you with this.

Tap retirement accounts—gently. The stimulus package eases the rules around retirement account loans and withdrawals for people who have been impacted by the COVID-19 downturn. The 10% penalty for early withdrawals before age 59½ has been waived for 2020.

If you must take Social Security, you can do so starting at age 62. In normal times, the advice is to tap retirement accounts before taking Social Security, so that your benefits can continue to grow. The return on Social Security continues to be higher than equities, so this is still good advice.

Reference: Forbes (April 15, 2020) “Should You Take Social Security Earlier Than Planned If You’re Laid Off Due to COVID-19?”

This Social Security Pit Could Be Costly and Stressful

“The Social Security hell morphed into Medicare hell and, will, not doubt, morph into federal income tax hell and then state income tax hell.”

A cautionary report about a man who simply wanted to apply for Social Security appears in a recent article from Forbes, “A Social Security Application Mistake or A Malicious Policy with Frightening Consequences?”

Last September, a man who turned 70 in November called the local Social Security office to request that his benefits be initiated when he turned 70. The Social Security employee explained to him that if he took his benefit early, he would receive a six-month retroactive payment. The problem with taking this retroactive payment, is that it establishes an earlier start date for monthly benefits. It, therefore, reduces the monthly benefit that is received for a lifetime, and eliminates the entire reason for delaying taking benefits until age 70.

The gentleman said no. He knew that this would give him more money in the short run, but less over the long haul. The article reports that Social Security seems to have a policy of contacting people close to age 70 and offering to start their benefits retroactively. This may save Social Security some money but creates a world of problems for recipients.

The man stuck to his guns, insisting that he did not want the early benefits and wanted his retirement benefit to begin on November 2019,.This meant that his first check would arrive in December 2019. Social Security benefits are always one month behind.

For whatever reason, he maintains that the Social Security employee did the exact opposite of what he wanted. She specified that his retirement benefit should begin nine months before he called, dating back to January 2019. Ever since then, the man has been trying to undo this mistake. Here’s what happened as a result:

A lump-sum payment was directly deposited into his bank account in October 2019.

He went to the Social Security office and filed a form to withdraw his initial benefit application, requesting to start his new retirement benefit as of November 2019. He was told to repay the lump sum, but to wait until he received a letter from the Mid-Atlantic Program Service Center in Philadelphia. The letter arrived December 3, and he sent a check for the exact amount and included a copy of the letter.

In October, Social Security stopped automatically deducting his Medicare Part B premium from his checking account. He realized this and began sending Medicare the premium directly. Had he not done this, he could have lost his coverage entirely.

On Jan. 10, 2020, Richard’s check was cashed.

On Feb. 20, he received a letter from Social Security stating that he could be paid the correct amount.

He immediately sent a letter requesting Social Security to immediately initiate the correct payment and to send him a corrected 1099, since he had received a 1099 from Social Security, indicating that he needed to pay federal and state taxes on the lump sum that he had wrongly been sent.

It hasn’t gotten much better for the man. Incorrect amounts have been reported to the IRS, Social Security has not sent corrected 1099s, his past benefits have not been corrected and a series of directly related issues have been created with Medicare. Meanwhile, his wife is seriously ill, and this has led to more stress than either of them needed.

Be careful when applying for Social Security benefits, and document every step of the way, just to be sure.

Reference: Forbes (April 1, 2020) “A Social Security Application Mistake or A Malicious Policy with Frightening Consequences?”

Scammers Beef Up Efforts in a Crisis

“The Inspector General of Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, is warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19 or coronavirus-related office closures.”

As if the elderly didn’t have enough to endure, now comes word that scammers who typically prey on seniors are upping their game. Stating that Social Security offices around the country are closed, which is true, scammers are targeting seniors with letters threatening the suspension of their Social Security payments due to pandemic-related office closures.

It’s true that the offices across the country are closed, but Social Security employees are continuing to work, says the My Prime Time News article “Inspector General Warns Public About New Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam.”

What’s more, the Inspector General notes that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will not suspend or discontinue benefits because their offices are closed. The Inspector General has received reports that beneficiaries are receiving letters that advise them to call a phone number referenced in the letter.

Scammers then talk the callers into providing them with personal information or make arrangements for the seniors to send them retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency or even sending cash by mail. Otherwise, they tell the seniors that their benefits will be cut off until the office reopens.

Any communication that is received with that message, by mail, phone or email, is fraudulent and should be dismissed. Social Security will never:

• Threaten with benefit suspension, arrest or legal action, if a fine or fee is not paid,
• Promise a benefit increase or other help in return for direct payment,
• Request or even accept payment by retail gift card, wire transfer, internet currency or prepaid debt card,
• Demand secrecy about payments, or
• Send letters or reports with personally identifiable information through the U.S. Mail.

Anyone who receives a letter, text, call or email that concerns an alleged problem with a Social Security number should not respond. The challenge is that the communications sometimes include a person’s Social Security number, or contains names, addresses or other information that is accurate. This is because scammers have purchased information illegally, not because the information is legitimate. Anyone receiving any communication from Social Security that demands immediate attention or threatens the end of benefits, should not respond directly to that communication.

Instead, report the scam to the Social Security Administration through its website. If you have any doubt about the validity of the letter or email, speak with a trusted friend, family member, or estate planning attorney. Don’t fall for it—especially during these tense times.

Reference: My Prime Time News (March 28, 2020) “Inspector General Warns Public About New Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam”

Tax Planning in Your Retirement Planning

“Assuming you have income in retirement, you will be subject to at least some income taxes in your golden years.”

Once you are retired, the only tax you won’t have to pay will be—can you guess? Yes, payroll taxes. However, there are plenty of other taxes to be paid, advises Forbes in the article that answers the question “What Taxes Will I Owe In Retirement?”

People who are accustomed to having employers handle income taxes throughout their working lives, are often surprised when they learn that not working does not mean you’re not paying taxes. Income is taxable, whether you are working or not. You won’t have to pay into Social Security when you retire, and Medicare becomes a premium, not a deduction from your paycheck. However, there are still taxes to be paid.

Federal income taxes range from 10 to 37 percent, depending on your income bracket and marital status. Pensions, annuities, IRA withdrawals, defined benefit plans, 457 or any other pre-tax retirement accounts will generate tax liabilities.

Is any income tax-free in retirement? Withdrawals from Roth IRAs are tax free, since you paid tax on the money before it went into these accounts. The same goes for the Roth 401(k)s.

Are there taxes on Social Security? Approximately 60% of retirees won’t owe federal income taxes on Social Security benefits. However, your Social Security benefits might be taxed, depending upon your retirement income. This tax also varies depending upon where you live. Some states tax Social Security benefits, others do not. Rental income and royalties are also counted as income.

Consumer taxes. Sales tax and property taxes will still need to be paid. For many people, property taxes are their highest tax expenses.

Is there a tax on Medicare? The Medicare Surtax, also known as the Unearned Income Medicare Contribution Surtax or NIIT, is a 3.8% Medicare tax that applies to income from investments and regular income above specific thresholds. For 2020, if you have MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) above $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly), you will have to pay NIIT. This is one that most people don’t know about, and can add up quickly, especially if you have great market returns and realized gains.

With good planning, you may be able to replace 100% or more of your pre-retirement income. In many cases, it may mean paying about the same amount in taxes as you did while working. If you do a good job of saving and have a large income during retirement, you will most likely end up paying at least some taxes on retirement income. It’s a good problem to have, but still a problem.

All of these retirement taxes add up to quite a nice tax bite, if you are not prepared for them. This is another example of how advance tax planning can make a big difference in the quality of your retirement.

Reference: Forbes (Feb. 23, 2020) “What Taxes Will I Owe In Retirement?”