J. K. Lasser's How to Protect Your Retirement Savings from the IRS

About the Author
Introduction
Chapter One
Tapping Your Retirement Plan Assets without Penalty before Age 59½
Restrictions on 401(k) and 403(b) Plan Withdrawals
Allowable Distributions and Loans
Case Study
When Does the Early-Distribution Penalty Apply?
Penalty Exemption for Medical Expense Payments
Rollovers and Direct Transfers Not Subject to Pre-59½ Penalty
Case Study
Distribution to Employee upon Separation from Service After Age 55 Exempt from the Penalty
The Disability Exception to the Penalty
The Substantially Equal Payment Exception to the 10-Percent Early-Distribution Penalty
Amortization Method
Modifying a Schedule of Payments
Effect of Disability or Death
Case Study
Penalty Exceptions for Higher-Education Expenses
Penalty Exception for First-Time Homebuyer Expenses
Penalty Exception for IRS Levy Added by 1998 IRS Restructuring Act
Chapter Two
When must You begin Minimum Distributions from Your Retirement Plan?
Minimum Distribution Basics
Distributions Before Required Beginning Date
Case Study
Life-Expectancy Methods
Electing the Term-Certain Method
Case Study
Penalty for Insufficient Distributions After the Required Beginning Date
Required Distributions to 5-Percent Owner or Self-Employed Individual
Chapter Three
Choosing Your Spouse as Your Designated Beneficiary
Your First Required Minimum Distribution
Term-Certain Method
Spousal IRA Rollover if Account Owner Dies During Term-Certain Period
Recalculation Method
Hybrid Method
Lump-Sum Death Benefits Paid by an Employer Plan to Surviving Spouse
Surviving Spouse's Rollover Option if IRA Owner Dies BeforeRequired Beginning Date
Surviving Spouse's Option to Receive IRA Distributions as Beneficiary if Owner Dies Before Required Beginning Date
Chapter Four
Selecting a Child, Grandchild, or Other Young Person as Your Designated Beneficiary
If Your Beneficiary Is More Than 10 Years Younger Than You
Effect of the Minimum Distribution Incidental Benefit Requirement (MDIB)
Distributions to Nonspouse Beneficiary After IRA Owner's Required Beginning Date
Hybrid Method for Beneficiary if Term-Certain Not Timely Elected
Chapter Five
Using a Custodial Account or Trust for a Designated Beneficiary Who is a Minor
Benefits of a Custodial Account
Custodial Account Basics
Owner's Protective Election of Life-Expectancy Distribution Method for Minor Beneficiary
Case Study
Benefits of Trusts
Chapter Six
If Your Beneficiary is Older or is no More than Ten Years Younger than You
Taking Into Account Designated Beneficiary's Life Expectancy
Electing Term-Certain Method
Distributions to a Nonspouse Designated Beneficiary Under Term-Certain Method Following Required Beginning Date
Distributions Following the Death of the Owner's Designated Beneficiary
If IRA Owner Changes Beneficiary After Required Beginning Date
Hybrid Method of Figuring Required Minimum Distributions if Term-Certain Method Not Elected
Case Study
Chapter Seven
The Estate as Beneficiary of IRA or Qualified Plan
Disadvantage of Selecting Your Estate as Beneficiary
Recalculation Method and Term-Certain Method
Distributions to Estate if IRA Owner Dies After Required Beginning Date
Account Owner Dies Before the Required Beginning Date
Chapter Eight
Distribution Options for Your Nonspouse Designated Beneficiaries
Designated Beneficiary Basics
The Five-Year Rule and Life-Expectancy Rule for Nonspouse Beneficiaries
Case Study
Beneficiary's Death During Payout Period
Direct Transfer Option for IRA Beneficiary
Mechanics of Making a Direct Transfer
Multiple IRA Beneficiaries
Dividing IRA into Separate Beneficiary Accounts
Making a Protective Election of the Life-Expectancy Method for Your Beneficiary
Chapter Nine
Estate Planning with Retirement Assets
Consult an Experienced Estate Tax Advisor
Case Study
Income in Respect of a Decedent (IRD)
Case Study
Chapter Ten
The Roth IRA
The Roth IRA Created by Contributions
The Roth IRA Created by a Conversion
Direct Transfer Conversions to a Roth IRA
Tax Effects of a Conversion to a Roth IRA for the Calendar Year 1998
Tax Effects of a Conversion to a Roth IRA for Calendar Years After 1998
Modified Adjusted Gross Income and Roth IRAs
Distributions from Roth IRAs
Tax Treatment of Nonqualifed Distributions
Mandatory Distributions for Roth IRA Beneficiaries
Recharacterized Contributions
Case Study
Appendix A
Life-Expectancy Tables
Appendix B
Sample Term-Certain Election Where Spouse Is the Designated Beneficiary
Appendix C
Sample Term-Certain Election Where Child Is the Designated Beneficiary
Appendix D
Sample IRA Designation of Beneficiary Form
Index