A Taxing Retirement
This article appears as part of Casey Weade's Weekend Reading for Retirees series. Every Friday, Casey highlights four hand-picked articles on trending retirement topics and delivers them straight to your email inbox. Get on the list here.
Weekend Reading
While saving for retirement is relatively simple, paying for it can be complex, largely due to the tax code.
READ THE ARTICLEDespite this complexity, you have significant control over your tax liability, especially before required minimum distributions (RMDs) start. In that light, key tax considerations for retirees in 2025 include:
📌 Health Insurance Premium Tax Credit: Early retirees might qualify for credits if income stays within certain limits, reducing health insurance costs
📌 Zero Capital Gains: Selling winning investments can be tax-free if your taxable income remains below thresholds ($63,350 for singles, $126,700 for couples)
📌 Managing Tax Brackets: Avoiding income spikes can help you stay within lower tax brackets, with strategies like Roth conversions or selling investments.
📌 Social Security Earnings Test: Retirees under full retirement age risk benefit reductions if working part-time while claiming Social Security. Delaying benefits can avoid penalties and maximize payouts.
📌 Medicare Surcharge (IRMAA): Higher-income retirees face surcharges on Medicare premiums. Planning ahead and appealing afterlife changes can help minimize these costs.
📌 Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): If aged 70½+, you can donate directly from IRAs to charities, satisfying RMDs and reducing taxable income without itemizing deductions