Exam 13: Retirement Savings and Deferred Compensation

Kim (50 years of age) is considering whether to participate in her company's Roth 401(k) or traditional 401(k). This year, she plans to invest either $4,000 in a Roth 401(k) or $5,000 in a traditional 401(k). Kim plans on leaving the contribution in the retirement account for 20 years when she will receive a distribution of the entire balance in the account. Her employer does not have a matching program for employee contributions to retirement accounts. Assume Kim can earn a 6 percent before tax return in either account and that she anticipates that in 20 years her tax rate will be 30%. 1) What would be Kim's after-tax accumulation in 20 years if she contributes $4,000 to a Roth 401(k) account? 2) What would be her after-tax accumulation in 20 years if she contributes $5,000 to a traditional 401(k) account?

Which of the following statements regarding contributions to defined contribution plans is true?

Which of the following statements regarding Roth 401(k) accounts is false?

When an employer matches an employee's contribution to the employee's 401(k) account, the employee is immediately taxed on the amount of the employer's matching contribution.

Taxpayers who participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan are not allowed to contribute to individual retirement accounts (IRAs).

A SEP IRA is an example of a self-employed retirement account.

On March 30, 2014, Rodger (age 56) was let go from his employer of 30 years due to rough economic times. During his 30 years of employment, Rodger contributed $300,000 to his traditional 401(k) account. When Rodger was let go, his 401(k) account balance was $900,000 (this included both employer matching and account earnings). Rodger immediately withdrew $40,000 to use as an emergency savings fund. What amount of tax and early distribution penalties must Rodger pay on the $40,000 withdrawal if his ordinary marginal tax rate is 28 percent?

Which of the following statements regarding defined benefit plans is false?

Which of the following is a true statement regarding saving for retirement?

Heidi retired from GE (her employer) at age 56. At the end of the year, when she was 56 years of age, Heidi received a distribution from her GE sponsored 401(k) account. Because Heidi was not at least 59½ years of age at the time of the distribution, she must pay tax on the full amount of the distribution and a 10 percent penalty on the full amount of the distribution.

Which of the following best describes distributions from a traditional defined contribution plan?

Cassandra, age 33, has made deductible contributions to her traditional IRA over the years. When the balance in her IRA was $40,000, Cassandra received a distribution of $34,000 from her IRA in order to purchase a new car. How much of the $34,000 distribution will she have remaining after paying income taxes and early distribution penalties on the distribution? Her marginal tax rate is 25 percent.

In 2014, Jessica retired at the age of 65. The current balance in her traditional IRA was $200,000. Over the years, Jessica had made $20,000 of nondeductible contributions and $60,000 of deductible contributions to the account. If Jessica receives a $50,000 distribution from the IRA, what amount of the distribution is taxable?

Which of the following statements regarding Roth IRAs distributions is true?

Kathy is 60 years of age and self-employed. During the year she reported $400,000 of revenues and $100,000 of expenses relating to her self-employment activities. If Kathy has no other retirement accounts in her name, what is the maximum amount she can contribute to an individual 401(k)?

Shauna received a distribution from her 401(k) account this year. In which of the following situations will Shauna be subject to an early distribution penalty?

Defined benefit plans specify the amount of benefit an employee will receive on retirement while defined contribution plans specify the amounts that employers and employees will (or can) contribute to an employee's plan.

How is a traditional 401(k) account similar to a Roth 401(k) account?

Riley participates in his employer's 401(k) plan. He retired in 2014 at age 75. When must Riley receive his distribution pertaining to 2014 to avoid minimum distribution penalties?

Lisa, age 45, needed some cash so she received a $50,000 distribution from her Roth IRA. At the time of the distribution, the balance in the Roth IRA was $200,000. Lisa established the Roth IRA 10 years ago. Over the years, she has contributed $20,000 to her account. What amount of the distribution is taxable and subject to early distribution penalty?