Early withdrawal penalties may discourage workers from retiring early. But, investors using a Thrift Savings Plan, 401k or another qualified retirement plan can have their cake and eat it too – so long as it’s in fairly equal slices – according to the Internal Revenue Service.
IRS rule 72T allows you to avoid the 0% penalty on early withdrawals from your retirement plans, if you follow a Substantially Equal Periodic Payment plan (SEPP).
What is a SEPP?
SEPPs allow you to receive payments (distributions) for five years after you retire, or until you reach age 59 ½, whichever happens later.
The IRS offers three different methods to calculate the amount, based on your life expectancy tables.
Three SEPP Calculation Methods
- The required minimum distribution method is the only plan that recalculates your payment each year, based on your account value and life expectancy. It’s the simplest method but it may result in a lower annual payment.
- The fixed amortization method spreads your account value out over a specific number of years equal to your life expectancy. Once you calculate your annual payment it’s set until you terminate the plan, or switch to the RMD method.
- The fixed annuitization method is the more complex of the three methods, but you may get the highest annual payment. This method divides your account balance by an annuity factor (from an IRS table based primarily on life expectancy) to determine your annual payment. Once calculated, your annual payment is set until you terminate the plan, or switch to the RMD method.
Before determining the method you’ll use, you’ll need to know how much additional income you’ll need per year. This would be above and beyond any other sources of income like pensions or employment income.
Changing Your Thrift Savings Plan SEPP Method
If your financial situation changes during your SEPP plan, the IRS allows you to make a one-time switch to the required minimum distribution method (RMD) from the amortization or annuitization methods.
If you’ve experienced a major decrease in your account value, it may be a good idea to take advantage of the switch. While payments from the RMD may be lower, they should last longer. This method’s purpose is to make your account last longer than fixed methods.
If you’re considering changing your method, first consult with a financial professional.
What to Know About SEPPs
- SEPPs are a long-term distribution strategy, if you have short-term needs, see if you qualify for a hardship withdrawal or consider a TSP loan.
- The investment account where your SEPP payments are coming from can’t be from a 401(k) with your current employer.
- SEPPs are structured to pay out annually but you choose to receive smaller payments more frequently.
- You’ll still pay income tax. SEPPs just eliminate the 10% early withdrawal penalty levied by the IRS.
- You don’t have to apply your SEPP method to all of your retirement accounts, or even to one entire account. If you only want to use a portion of your Thrift Savings Plan or 401k for early retirement, you can segregate that amount into an IRA and use it for your SEPP funds. Or, you can move all but the amount you want to use for SEPP to an IRA and use SEPP to withdraw the remaining funds from your TSP, 401k or other retirement plan.
- SEPPs must generally continue for at least five full years, or if later, until age 59 ½.
SEPP’s can be complex. Before you make the decision to use one, talk to a CPA or CFP to see if this approach is right for you.
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