Exam 13: Retirement Savings and Deferred Compensation

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

Just like distributions from qualified retirement plans, distributions from nonqualified deferred compensation plans are taxed as ordinary income to the recipient.

Katrina's executive compensation package allows her to participate in the company's nonqualified deferred compensation plan. In 2014, Katrina defers 20 percent of her $400,000 salary. Katrina's deemed investment choice will earn 7 percent annually on the deferred compensation until she takes a lump sum distribution in 10 years. Katrina's current marginal tax rate is 30 percent and she expects her marginal tax rate will be 35 percent upon receipt of the deferred salary. What is her after-tax accumulation from the deferred salary in 10 years?

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 this year to a simplified employee pension (SEP) IRA?

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.

Sean (age 74 at end of 2013) retired five years ago. The balance in his 401(k) account on December 31, 2013 was $1,700,000 and the balance in his account on December 31, 2014 was $1,800,000. Using the IRS tables below, what is Sean's required minimum distribution for 2014? Age of Participant Distribution Period Applicable Percentage 70 27.4 3.65\% 71 26.5 3.77\% 72 25.6 3.91\% 73 24.7 4.05\% 74 23.8 4.20\% 75 22.9 4.37\%

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?

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?

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.

Which of the following statements concerning traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs is true?

Kathy is 48 years of age and self-employed. During 2014 she reported $100,000 of revenues and $40,000 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 a simplified employee pension (SEP) IRA for 2014?

Daniela retired at the age of 65. The current balance in her Roth IRA is $200,000. Daniela established the Roth IRA 10 years ago. Through a rollover and annual contributions Daniela has contributed $80,000 to her account. If Daniela receives a $50,000 distribution from the Roth IRA, what amount of the distribution is taxable?

Taxpayers contributing to and receiving distributions from a Roth IRA generally earn a before-tax rate of return on their contributions equal to their after-tax rate of return.

Tatia, age 38, has made deductible contributions to her traditional IRA over the past few years. When her account balance was $32,000, she transferred the entire $32,000 out of her traditional IRA and immediately into a Roth IRA. Her current marginal tax rate is 25 percent. What amount of tax and penalty is she required to pay on this rollover?

Riley participates in his employer's 401(k) plan. He turns 70 years of age on February 15, 2013 and he plans on retiring on July 1, 2015. When must Riley receive his first distribution from the plan to avoid minimum distribution penalties?

Which of the following describes a defined contribution plan?

In 2014, Ryan contributes 10 percent of his $75,000 annual salary to a Roth 401(k) account sponsored by his employer, XYZ. XYZ offers a dollar-for-dollar match up to 10 percent of the employee's salary. The employer contributions are placed in a traditional 401(k) account on the employee's behalf. Ryan expects to earn an 8-percent before-tax rate of return on contributions to his Roth and traditional 401(k) accounts. Assuming Ryan leaves the funds in the accounts until he retires in 25 years, what are his after-tax accumulations in the Roth 401(k) and in the traditional 401(k) accounts if his marginal tax rate at retirement is 30 percent? If Ryan's marginal tax rate in 2014 is 35 percent will he earn a higher after tax rate of return from the Roth 401(k) or the traditional 401(k)? Explain.

Amy is single. During 2014, she determined her adjusted gross income was $12,000. During the year, Amy also contributed $1,500 to a Roth IRA. What is the maximum saver's credit she may claim for the year?

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