Retiring From Work? 4 Financial Considerations Before You Leave

Retiring from work is an exciting milestone, but it comes with a lot of moving parts. There are a number of financial details that will likely need your attention before, or soon after, you leave your job. Whether you're preparing for retirement down the road, or the end of your career is right around the corner, here are four important financial details you'll likely want to consider.

1. What Will You Do With Your 401(k)?

Consider the tax implications

To start, it's important to remember that if you're younger than 59 1/2, your 401(k) distributions will be subject to a 10% early withdrawal tax.¹ Make sure to factor that additional cost into your plans. Additionally, your 401(k) distributions may be subject to income tax, depending on what kind of account you have, which would affect the net funds available to you in retirement.

Understand your payout options

Do you understand your 401(k) payout options? Will you be able to make regular withdrawals from your 401(k) or does the account require you to only take lump sum distributions? If regular withdrawals are not an option, you might be able to rollover your 401(k) into an individual retirement account (IRA) that will allow periodic payouts, if you find that more suitable to your financial road map.

Plan for required minimum distributions

Finally, you may choose to plan for your required minimum distributions (RMDs) down the road. Once you reach age 73, the IRS requires you to take a minimum amount from your 401(k) (or other tax deferred retirement accounts) each year.² While your RMDs will not come into effect until you reach age 73, it is important to understand what you will be required to withdraw, since it may affect your distribution choices before then. While your RMDs will not come into effect until you are over 73, it is important to understand what you will be required to withdraw, since it may affect your distribution choices before then.

2. What Are Your Pension Options?

If you qualify for a pension, then it may help to understand exactly what you are entitled to through it. Your options upon your retirement may be to: 

• Qualify for a lump sum distribution by rolling over into an IRA to have that money distributed and taxed differently.
• Annuity payment for life.

There are several different annuity payout options available. For more information, you may want to speak with a financial representative to determine what might work best for you.

3. What Can You Expect From Your Social Security Benefits?

Understanding what you can expect from your Social Security benefits may help you develop a more complete picture of what your finances will look like in retirement.

Signing up for a my Social Security account can provide more detailed insights into your specific benefits.³ To start, your account will tell you how much of a monthly benefit you can expect and when. Taking your benefits prior to reaching your full retirement age reduces your monthly benefit, and waiting until after your full retirement age increases it.

Your my Social Security can also help you understand how your benefit may affect your spouse so that you can coordinate your applications together. Finally, my Social Security also helps walk you through the application requirements. You cannot apply for benefits more than four months prior to when you wish to begin receiving them, and there are several documents you may need for your application.^4,5 Planning ahead can help prepare for benefits application.

4. What Will You Do About Health Care?

Health care could be a major expense in retirement, so it can help to consider your options before retiring from work. If you are retiring prior to age 65, you may want to talk to your human resources department about what your options are for continuing on your company's health insurance plan. Some employers offer continued health insurance coverage to retired workers.

Consider ACA Health Care Exchange if COBRA is not an option

If that is not an option, or if you are only eligible to continue on your employer's health plan through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), comparing options through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care exchange might help you find a plan that can bridge the gap between your retirement and qualifying for Medicare.

Learn about Medicare coverage and costs

Exploring your Medicare options is also an important part of planning for retirement, even if you're still a few years from 65. You'll want to understand what Medicare does and does not cover, and how much you can expect to pay in premiums each month for your Medicare plan.⁶

Get your Medicare application documents ready

Finally, you'll likely want to get the necessary documents ready for your Medicare application if you intend to apply so you are ready to go during your initial enrollment period (the three months before through the three months after your 65th birthday).⁷ Missing this enrollment period can incur a late enrollment penalty.⁸

The Bottom Line

Preparing for retirement can help you make a smooth transition into your post-career life. As you prepare to leave your job, consider checking up on the considerations above.

Sources

1. 401(k) Resource Guide - Plan Participants - General Distribution Rules. https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/401k-resource-guide-plan-participants-general-distribution-rules.
2. Retirement Topics — Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmds.
3. Create your personal my Social Security account today. https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.
4. Social Security in retirement. https://www.ssa.gov/retirement.
5. What Documents Do You Need to Apply for Retirement Benefits?. https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/applying5.html.
6. What Medicare covers. https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers.
7. Form SSA-1 | Information You Need To Apply For Retirement Benefits Or Medicare. https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-1.html.
8. Avoid late enrollment penalties. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/avoid-penalties.