Don't Get Stung With Early Distribution Penalties
To discourage investors from tapping their retirement funds, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) generally imposes a 10% penalty on early withdrawals. This penalty applies to 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, and individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for any person who has yet to reach the age of 59½.
However, sometimes unexpected financial hardship may force you to withdraw assets prematurely. In rare instances—and in 2020 due to the pandemic (see box below)—there are exceptions to the 10% early distribution penalty. The exceptions vary based on whether you have a qualified retirement plan sponsored by an employer, such as a 401(k) or 403(b), or an IRA.
Examples of a few exceptions include early withdrawals for rollovers into another retirement account within 60 days, medical bills in excess of 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI), total and permanent disability of the account owner, distribution to beneficiaries after the account owner's death, and first-time homebuyers (IRA only, limited to $10,000).
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed a $2 trillioncoronavirus emergency stimulusbill. It allowed those affected by the coronavirus situation a hardship distribution of up to $100,000 without the 10% penalty those younger than 59½ normally owe. Account owners also have three years to pay the tax owed on withdrawals, instead of owing it in the current year. Or, they can repay the withdrawal to a 401(k) or IRA plan and avoid owing any tax; even if the amount exceeds the annual contribution limit for that type of account.
In normal years, one important exception to the early distribution penalty is allowed if you are taking withdrawals under a substantially equal periodic payment (SEPP) program. SEPP withdrawals are not permitted under a qualified retirement plan if you are still working for your employer. However, if the funds are coming from an IRA, you may start SEPP withdrawals at any time.
When to Use a SEPP
If your financial need is short-term, consider whether SEPP withdrawals are right for you. Once starting SEPP payments, you must continue for a minimum of five years or until you reach the age of 59½, whichever comes later. If you fail to meet this requirement, the 10% early penalty still applies, plus you'll owe interest on the deferred penalties from prior tax years.
Consider the example of Jane, who is 35 years old. After starting SEPP withdrawals, she will be required to continue making withdrawals for the next 24½ years until she reaches 59½. For Jane, age 59½ comes after five years.
Another example is Harry, who starts his SEPP program at age 57. For Harry, the earliest he can end his SEPP withdrawals is at the age of 62. For Harry, five years come after he reaches 59½.
If you terminate or subsequently modify your SEPP within the given time restrictions, you will owe the 10% penalty on amounts taken under the program, plus interest on deferred penalties from prior tax years. The IRS allows an exception to this rule for taxpayers who die (for beneficiary withdrawals) or become permanently disabled.
How to Calculate SEPP
The IRS provides three methods to calculate SEPP withdrawals. Because the three calculations result in different annual withdrawal amounts, you can choose the one that best suits your financial needs. The three methods are the fixed amortization method, the annuitization method, and the required minimum distribution (RMD) method.
Fixed Amortization Method
Under the amortization method, the annual payment will be the same for each year of the program. It is determined by using the chosen life expectancy table and a chosen interest rate (described below). For this method, the taxpayer has the option of using any one of three life expectancy tables (described below). The annual amount calculated in the first distribution year is then used each subsequent year of SEPP withdrawals.
Fixed Annuitization Method
Similar to the amortization method, the annual amount under the annuitization method is the same each year. The sum is determined by dividing the retirement account balance by an annuity factorequal to the present value of an annuity of $1 per year. The annuity factor is derived using an IRS-provided mortality table and a chosen interest rate, and it is based on the single life expectancy of the taxpayer alone.
Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Method
Using the required minimum distribution (RMD) method, the annual payment for each year is determined by dividing the current account balance by the life expectancy factor of the taxpayer. The annual withdrawal amount must be recalculated each year with the new account balance and, as a result, it will change year to year. The life expectancy table chosen in the first year must continue to be used each following year.
It is expected that the amount will change annually. However, it is still considered to be "substantially equal" and acceptable in the SEPP program so long as this method is consistently followed. This method takes into account market fluctuations, which impact the account's balance.
Example of SEPP Calculations
Let's take a look at an example that demonstrates the annual amounts that result from each calculation method.
Suppose that John is 45 years old. He has $500,000 in a retirement account and wants to start SEPP withdrawals. For the amortization and annuitization methods, he will use an interest rate of 3.98% (assumed to be 120% of the federal mid-term rate) and his single life expectancy of 38.8 years. The results are as follows:
- Amortization method: $25,511.57 per year
- Annuitization method: $25,227.04 per year
- Minimum distribution method: $12,886.60 per year
John's financial need over the next 14½ years (59½ – 45) that he will be taking SEPP withdrawals will determine his choice of method. He also needs to consider what he expects to need in retirement after the age of 59½.
John does have the option of transferring a portion of his IRA to a separate IRA and calculating the SEPP based on what remains. This is usually done for taxpayers who want to leave a nest egg for later. For example, if $200,000 is sufficient to cover John's needs, he can transfer that amount to a separate IRA and take the SEPP withdrawals from that IRA account.
IRS Changes and Explanations
Before 2002, some taxpayers who chose the fixed annuitization or amortization methods found their retirement account balances were being depleted faster than projected. This was because the performance of their investments did not keep pace with their withdrawals.
Under the old rules, you were required to stick to the calculation method chosen at the beginning of your SEPP program, despite the possibility of running out of funds. This changed in 2002 when the IRS issued a new rule that allowed taxpayers to make a one-time switch. If you started using the fixed annuitization or amortization methods, you could switch to the RMD method and thus lower your SEPP withdrawals. Once this change was made, you had to remain with the RMD method for all subsequent years.
If you are already on a SEPP program using the fixed amortization or annuitization method but want to change to the RMD method, consult with your financial professional.
Life Expectancy Tables
The three life expectancy tables that may be used to calculate SEPP payments are the single life expectancy table, the uniform lifetime table, and the joint and last survivor table. Generally, your choice of table is determined by whether you have designated a beneficiary of your retirement account. Your financial professional should be able to assist you in choosing the right table.
The SECURE Act, passed in December 2019, made changes to the life expectancy tables to account for increases in life expectancies across the board. As a result, if either the fixed amortization or annuitization methods were used, the annual amount can be recalculated once using the new tables without the update being treated as a modification for the SEPP program. This change has the potential to lower the annual amount required under these two methods.
Beneficiary Changes
If you are using the joint and last survivor life expectancy table to calculate your SEPP, your beneficiary is determined on Jan. 1. To calculate your SEPP payment for the year, you will use the life expectancy of the beneficiary who was on your retirement account as of Jan. 1 of the year for which the calculation is being done.
Any change made after Jan. 1 is taken into consideration the following year, provided the change is still in effect at the beginning of that year. Therefore, if you changed your beneficiary during the year, be sure to inform your financial professional so that they can use the right life expectancies.
Also, if you have multiple beneficiaries, the oldest beneficiary's life expectancy is used to calculate your SEPP.
Figuring Interest Rates
Each month the IRS issues a revenue ruling in which certain interest rates are provided. One such interest rate is the federal mid-term rate. According to Revenue Ruling-2002-62, a taxpayer should use a rate of up to 120% of the federal mid-term rate to calculate SEPP amounts under the fixed amortization and annuitization methods. The mid-term rate may be taken from either of the two months immediately leading up to the first distribution.
This maximum allowable rate is a conservative figure for future account earnings. Thus, it is an attempt to ensure the taxpayer does not deplete the account sooner than anticipated.
No Additions or Subtractions Allowed
Once you start a SEPP program on a retirement account, you may not make any additions to or distributions from the account. This includes any nontaxable rollovers into other retirement accounts. Any changes to the account balance, with the exception of the SEPPs, gains, losses, and required fees, such as trade and administrative fees, may result in a modification of the SEPP program and could be cause for disqualification by the IRS. As explained earlier, any disqualification will result in an assessment of penalties and interest.
Account Balance
The IRS guidelines for determining the account balance to use in the SEPP program provide much flexibility. Should you decide to change the calculation method for your existing SEPP or start a new SEPP program, be sure to consult with your tax professional regarding the account balance that should be used in the calculation. As with any issue pertaining to retirement plans, you must be sure to seek assistance from a competent tax professional to ensure that you operate within the parameters of IRS regulations.
The Bottom Line
As always, withdrawing money from a retirement account should be a financial last resort. This is why the IRS has exceptions for specific circ*mstances like disability and illness. If you do not meet any of the criteria for other exceptions, the SEPP program can be used if you have exhausted all other avenues. It should not be used as an emergency fund strategy, as any withdrawals significantly affect your future financial stability.
Taxpayers often make costly mistakes with SEPP programs because there is little guidance on what can be done in certain situations. In cases where extra guidance is needed, consider working with a tax professional who has experience dealing with the IRS on SEPP issues.
