The U.S. House of Representatives recently enacted SECURE 2.0, a new retirement measure intended to expand upon the SECURE Act of 2019. SECURE 2.0 is designed to simplify the retirement process, and three significant enhancements might help your savings go further.
- It suggests raising the minimum age at which mandatory minimum distributions must begin.
- For each dollar an employee pays toward qualified student loans, the employer can contribute an equal amount to the employee’s 401(k).
- It would increase the catch-up contribution maximum for workers aged 62 to 65 to $10,000.
The Senate is currently reviewing the new measure, so it is not yet law, but here’s what to anticipate if it passes.
Enhanced RMD age
If you are investing in a 401(k) or conventional IRA, you must take the required minimum distributions (RMDs) at age 72, regardless of whether you are ready to retire.
As a result, you will owe income taxes on your withdrawals, and Uncle Sam will ultimately want your money. RMDs prevent you from keeping your savings in your retirement account forever. The original SECURE Act increased the age at which required minimum distributions must be taken from 70 1/2 to 72, the SECURE 2.0 proposes increasing it to 75 by 2032.
If you want to work well into your seventies, this might make your money last longer. You must begin making withdrawals at age 72, regardless of whether you need the money. The new law, however, allows you to keep your assets in your retirement account for longer, giving the money more opportunity to grow.
Student loan perks
Additionally, SECURE 2.0 attempts to assist folks with college debts in saving more for retirement. As an increasing number of elderly Americans incur student loan debt, this law might help employees of all ages save more.
Employer-matched 401(k) contributions are a provision of the proposed legislation. Employers can match employee contributions to qualified student loan repayments dollar-for-dollar. Thus, if you paid $200 toward your student debts, your employer might contribute $200 to your 401(k).
This concept prevents workers from choosing between debt reduction and retirement savings. Many 401(k) plans currently include employer-matching contributions; this measure would ensure that workers paying off student loans do not miss out on these advantages.
Greater catch-up payments
The existing rule allows people 50 and older to invest more in their retirement accounts than their younger counterparts. Currently, these contributions are restricted to $6,500 annually for 401(k)s and $1,000 annually for IRAs.
SECURE 2.0 suggests a greater annual cap of $10,000 for persons 62 to 65. If you’ve fallen behind on your savings and can take advantage of these catch-up contributions, this increased cap might go a long way toward establishing a substantial nest egg.
Only the House of Representatives has approved SECURE 2.0, and the Senate will probably create its version of the law before anything passes. But by keeping up with the most recent retirement rules, you may maximize your funds and enter your golden years as prepared as possible.