Since I covered the basics of tax-free retirement accounts in this space, I have received several requests for additional information about TFRAs. I will answer a few of those questions here.
Seeing and personally experiencing the difference in the lives and families of those who make a financial plan and those who don’t compels me to continue working to help people make choices that bring peace instead of regret.
I speak to people daily about developing a plan for their retirement that has built-in flexibility. I share my experiences of caring for both my parents, and now my in-laws. I talk about how quickly life changes. My husband Lee suffered a stroke at age 51; our lives changed drastically that day. I know well the emotional and financial toll of health challenged and caring for aging parents.
Many people who tell me they have life insurance don’t know the basic facts about their policy, who their insurance company or agent are, how much coverage they have, what type of policy they have, under what circumstances death benefits would be paid, or whether the policy has any benefits besides basic coverage paid upon death. Here’s an example of why I am so passionate about life insurance policy reviews.
I often find the misconception among unmarried people and those without children that they do not need life insurance. That could not be further from the truth. With the policies available these days, life insurance is about much more than simply providing a death benefit for those you leave behind. Here are some of the reasons why I believe everyone, young or old, married or single, should have life insurance.
A TFRA is a retirement savings plan that works similarly to a Roth IRA. You pay taxes on the money going into the plan, and the growth on your money is not taxed. However, unlike a Roth, a TFRA does not have Internal Revenue Service-regulated restriction on how or when you take money from your account.
HERE ARE FIVE OF THE KEY REASONS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A TFRA.
What if you could use the magic of compound interest for decades (i.e., a child policy), yet never pay taxes above basis because you take distributions as a loan?
It is not deemed as income, is not subject to required minimum distributions, and will not affect taxation on social security if in a life insurance policy. Death benefits are tax-free as well.
As a parent or grandparent, you can leave a legacy by using the magic of compound interest.
