Income from retirement savings

In retirement

To cover everyday and discretionary expenses, most people in retirement begin drawing some income from their retirement accounts. Even if you don't need the money now, you are required by law to begin taking distributions from many types of retirement accounts starting at age 70 1/2.

Before you draw income from your retirement savings plans, it's important to understand the rules governing distributions. This is also a good time to consider rolling assets from your workplace plan into an IRA to consolidate accounts.

Retirement account distribution guidelines

• To take distributions from most 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) and profit sharing plans, you generally must leave your job (separate from service) or reach age 59 1/2.
• A 10% penalty may apply to taking early distributions from most retirement plans. Note: 457(b) plans don't carry this penalty.
• Distributions are generally taxable as income. However, you can take tax-free distributions from a Roth if you've participated in the plan for at least five years and reached age 59 1/2.
• Most plans require that you start taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) the year after you reach age 70 1/2. These distributions are based on your life expectancy and your account balance at the end of the previous year. RMDs are usually taxable, and there is a 50% penalty if you skip them or take less than the required amount.

IRA distributions

	IRA/SEP IRA	SIMPLE IRA	Roth IRA
How are distributions taxed?	Distributions of pre-tax contributions and earnings are taxed as income. Distributions of after-tax contributions are not subject to income tax. Note: If both pre- and after-tax contributions have been made, distributions are taken from both proportionally.	Distributions are taxed as income.	Distributions of contribution and conversion assets are always income tax-free. Qualified distributions of earnings are tax-free. Non-qualified distributions of earnings are taxed as income. Contributions are distributed first, followed by conversion assets and earnings.
What is the penalty for early withdrawals?	A 10% penalty may apply to taxable distributions made prior to age 59 1/2 (exceptions apply).	A 25% penalty may apply to taxable distributions prior to age 59 1/2 if distributions are taken within two years from the date you first participated in the SIMPLE IRA (exceptions apply). A 10% penalty may apply to taxable distributions prior to age 59 1/2 if you have participated in the SIMPLE IRA for more than two years (exceptions apply).	A 10% penalty may apply to distributions of conversion assets made within five years of conversion and prior to age 59 1/2 (exceptions apply). A 10% penalty may apply to taxable distributions of earnings prior to age 59 1/2 (exceptions apply).
Do Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) rules apply?	Subject to RMDs in the year you turn age 70 1/2	Subject to RMDs in the year you turn age 70 1/2	No RMDs for the original owner Non-spouse beneficiaries are subject to RMDs.

Employer-sponsored plan distributions

	401(k), 403(b), Profit Sharing, Defined Benefit	457(b)	Roth 401(k), Roth 403(b)
How are distributions taxed?	Distributions of pre-tax contributions and earnings are taxed as income in the year distributed. Distributions of after-tax contributions are not subject to income tax.	Distributions are taxed as income in the year distributed.	Distributions of contributions are tax-free. Qualified distributions of earnings are tax-free. Non-qualified distributions of earnings are reportable as income. Contributions and earnings are distributed proportionately.
What is the penalty for early withdrawals?	A 10% penalty may apply to the taxable portion if you are not yet age 59 1/2 (exceptions apply) or if you have terminated from employment prior to the year you turned 55.	No penalty	A 10% penalty may apply to the taxable portion of non-qualified distributions if you are not yet age 59 1/2 (exceptions apply) or if you have terminated from employment prior to the year you turned 55.
Is there a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?	Subject to RMDs in the later of the year you turned 70 1/2 or the year you leave your employer (if you are not a 5% or greater owner of the business) A 5% or greater owner of the business is subject to RMD in the year you turn 70 1/2.	Subject to RMDs in the later of the year you turned 70 1/2 or the year you leave your employer	Subject to RMDs in the later of the year you turned 70 1/2 or the year you leave your employer (if you are not a 5% or greater owner of the business) A 5% or greater owner of the business is subject to RMD in the year you turn 70 1/2.

Pension payments

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is a federal corporation that protects the pensions of nearly 44 million American workers and retirees in more than 27,500 private single-employer and multi-employer defined benefit pension plans.

If your company fails to or cannot make your pension payments, the PBGC guarantees "basic benefits" earned before your plan's termination date (or the date your employer's bankruptcy proceeding began, if applicable).

The PBGC guarantees basic benefits including:	The PBGC does not guarantee:
Pension benefits at normal retirement age Most early retirement benefits Annuity benefits for survivors of plan participants Disability benefits (see exception to the right)	Health and welfare benefits Vacation pay Severance benefits Lump-sum death benefits for a death that occurs after the date the plan ended Disability benefits for a disability that occurs after the plan's termination date (or the date your employer's bankruptcy proceeding began, if applicable)

Get help with distributions

Deciding how and when to take distributions from your retirement plans is a major issue for many retirees. An Ameriprise financial advisor can help you evaluate your options, and decide on an approach that best serves your particular needs.