As a retired person, I wish I had known about some of these strategies for paying zero taxes on retirement income earlier in my life. It can be overwhelming to think about all the different ways to save and invest for retirement, and it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out on opportunities to pay zero taxes on your retirement income.
That’s why I wanted to share some of the strategies that have helped me pay less on my retirement income than I might have otherwise. While I can’t go back in time and change my own financial decisions, I can at least try to pass on what I’ve learned to others so they can benefit from my experience and potentially pay zero taxes on their retirement income as well.
I hope that by using some of these strategies, you’ll be able to have more money available to spend on the things you enjoy during retirement without having to worry about paying taxes on your retirement income.
12 Ways to Pay Zero Taxes on Retirement Income
1. Roth IRA contributions
One way to pay zero taxes on retirement income is to contribute to a Roth IRA. Contributions to a Roth IRA are made with after-tax dollars, so you will not receive a tax deduction for your contributions. However, qualified withdrawals from a Roth IRA are tax-free, including any earnings on your contributions.
To be eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA, you must have earned income and your income must fall below certain limits.
2. Traditional IRA contributions
Another way to potentially pay zero taxes on retirement income is to contribute to a traditional IRA. Contributions to a traditional IRA may be tax-deductible, depending on your income and whether you or your spouse are covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan.
Like the Roth IRA, qualified withdrawals from a traditional IRA, including earnings, are tax-free. However, non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to taxes and penalties.
3. 401(k) contributions
Contributing to a 401(k) plan can also help you pay zero taxes on retirement income. Contributions to a 401(k) plan are made with pre-tax dollars, which can reduce your taxable income for the year.
Similar to the traditional IRA, qualified withdrawals from a 401(k) plan, including earnings, are tax-free. However, non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to taxes and penalties.
4. 457 plan contributions
A 457 plan is a type of retirement savings plan offered by state and local governments and some non-profit organizations. Contributions to a 457 plan are made with pre-tax dollars and can help reduce your taxable income for the year.
Qualified withdrawals from a 457 plan, including earnings, are tax-free but non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to taxes and penalties.
5. Pension income
If you receive a pension from a former employer, this income may be tax-free or partially tax-free, depending on how the pension was funded and the amount of your other income.
Because there are a variety of complexities regarding pension income, it’s important to consult with a tax professional to determine the taxability of your pension income.
6. Social Security income
Social Security income may be partially taxable, depending on your total income and filing status, but if your total income is low, you may not have to pay taxes on your Social Security income at all. Also… it’s important to be aware of Social Security penalties and how to avoid them.
7. Annuity payments
Annuity payments may be partially taxable, depending on how the annuity was funded and the amount of your other income. Annuity payments are another one of those areas that can be complicated and confusing so be sure to consult with a tax professional to determine the taxability of your particular annuity payments.
8. Taxable distributions from life insurance policies
If you receive a distribution from a life insurance policy that you did not contribute to, the distribution may be taxable. However, if you received the distribution as a result of the death of the policyholder and you are the beneficiary of the policy, the distribution may be tax-free.
9. Capital gains from the sale of a primary residence
If you sell your primary residence and make a profit, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 of the gain from your taxable income (or up to $500,000 for married couples filing jointly).
To qualify for this exclusion, you must have owned and lived in the home as your primary residence for at least two out of the five years preceding the sale.
10. Tax-exempt municipal bond interest
If you invest in municipal bonds, the interest you earn may be tax-exempt at the federal level. Some municipal bonds may also be exempt from state and local taxes.
It’s important to note that the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds may depend on your state of residence and other factors.
11. Up to $2,000 of qualified dividends
If you receive qualified dividends from stocks, mutual funds, or other investments, you may be able to exclude up to $2,000 of these dividends from your taxable income. To qualify for this exclusion, the dividends must be paid on stocks that you have held for more than 60 days during the 121-day period that begins 60 days before the ex-dividend date.
12. Income from US Savings Bonds
If you redeem US Savings Bonds that you have held for at least five years, you may be able to exclude the interest income from your taxable income. To qualify for this exclusion, the bonds must have been purchased in your name or in the name of a co-owner, and you must have used the bond proceeds to pay for higher education expenses for yourself, your spouse, or a dependent.
Conclusion
There are several ways to pay zero taxes on retirement income, including contributing to a Roth IRA or traditional IRA, participating in a 401(k) or 457 plan, receiving tax-exempt pension or Social Security income, and excluding certain types of capital gains, dividends, and bond interest from your taxable income. It’s important to consult with a tax professional to determine the taxability of your retirement income and to determine which strategies are right for your individual situation.
Please share your experiences in the comment section! What did you do to prepare for retirement that worked and what do you wish you’d known earlier? Our readers are genuinely interested!
This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial advice. It’s important to consult with a financial professional to determine the best strategies for saving and investing for retirement, based on your individual circumstances and financial goals.