Tax diversification strategies in retirement

Changes in tax rules, much like the stock market, can be unpredictable. However, knowing these tips about tax diversification may help you counter the ever-changing tax environment affecting your investment accounts, and provide flexibility in retirement.
To achieve tax diversification, we generally believe investors should maintain balance by contributing to traditional and Roth IRAs. But the focus of your contributions may change, depending on your life stage and tax situation:
How much you withdraw from your investments may be the most influential factor in how long your money will last. Since every dollar you spend on taxes is one less you have to spend in retirement, the goal is to increase after-tax income. Tax diversification can help structure withdrawals to potentially reduce taxes and increase the amount of after-tax spendable income.
Generally, we recommend taking withdrawals in the following order:
Since where you take withdrawals should depend on your tax and financial situation, it’s important to discuss your expected income and withdrawals with your financial advisor and tax professional each year.
Depending on your situation, we also recommend considering investing in the following: municipal bonds, dividend-paying stocks, annuities and advisory programs that offer tax management features. You may also want to consider other actions, including:
Tax diversification can help provide flexibility and sustainability for retirement savings. While tax codes may be complex and ever-changing, the solution doesn’t have to be. Talk to your Edward Jones financial advisor about how tax diversification can play a part in your long-term retirement goals.
Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation. This content should not be depended upon for other than broadly informational purposes. Specific questions should be referred to a qualified tax professional.
Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.