Birthday Benefits Quiz

Remember when you turned 16 and rushed to get your driver’s license? Or earned the right to vote at 18 and enjoyed the privileges and responsibilities of adulthood at 21? There aren’t many legal changes associated with birthdays after that until you turn 50, and then there are plenty. 

Can you match these ages to the related federal benefits and tax responsibilities? One age will be used twice.

50   55   59½   62   65   67   70   73   75

___ 1. Eligible for full Social Security benefits for those born in 1960 or later

___ 2. Earliest age to make catch-up contributions to a traditional IRA or an employer-sponsored retirement plan

___ 3. Eligible for maximum Social Security benefit

___ 4. Must begin taking required minimum distributions from most tax-deferred retirement plans, for those born from 1951 to 1959

___ 5. Eligible to enroll in Medicare

___ 6. Earliest age to make catch-up contributions to a health savings account

___ 7. Earliest eligibility age to begin taking reduced Social Security worker benefits

___ 8. Must begin taking required minimum distributions from most tax-deferred retirement plans, for those born in 1960 or later

___ 9. Eligible to withdraw money from a tax-deferred IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan (for most employees) without incurring a 10% federal tax penalty

___ 10. Eligible to withdraw money from a tax-deferred employer-sponsored retirement plan without incurring a 10% federal tax penalty, for an employee who separates from service with the employer

For further information, visit irs.gov,  socialsecurity.gov, and medicare.gov.

Answers

1. 67; 2. 50; 3. 70; 4. 73; 5. 65; 6. 55; 7. 62; 8. 75; 9. 59½; 10. 55 (50 or after 25 years of service for qualified public safety employees)

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances. To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances. These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Securities and investment advice offered through Investment Planners, Inc. (Member FINRA/SIPC) and IPI Wealth Management, Inc., 226 W. Eldorado Street, Decatur, IL 62522. 217-425-6340.