Uncle Sam Wants You To Save For Retirement

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

HELPFUL TIPS FROM EXPERTS Uncle Sam Wants You To Save For Retirement (NAPSA)—If you ever feel your finances are too stretched to save for retirement, there could be good newsfor you. The Saver’s Credit— a little-known tax credit made available by the IRS to low- to middle-income workers—could make saving for retirement more affordable than you think. It may reduce your federal income taxes when you save for retirement through a qualified retirement plan or an individual retirement account (IRA). “The Saver’s Credit is particularly great because it offers many workers an addedincentive to save for their future retirement, while potentially lowering their tax bill today,” said Catherine Collinson, president of the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. Here’s how it works: #1. Check Your Eligibility For singles, anyone earning up to $27,750 in 2010 or $28,250 in 2011 is eligible. For the head of a household, the incomelimit is $41,625 in 2010 and $42,375 in 2011. For those who are married and file a joint return, the incomelimit is $55,500 in 2010 or $56,500 in 2011. You must be 18 years or older by January 1 and cannotbe a full- time student or be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return. If you fit within these parameters, the Saver’s Credit may be for you. Depending on yourfiling status and incomelevel, you may qualify for a nonrefundable credit of up to $1,000 (or $2,000 if filing jointly) on your federal income taxes for that year when you contribute to a 401(k), 403(b), 457, 501(c)(18)(D), SEP or SIMPLEplan, or an IRA. #2. Save for Retirement If your employeroffers a retirement plan, make sure you enroll. Or open a traditional or Roth IRA with the financial institution of your choice. If you are enrolled in your employer’s retirement plan, you may already qualify for the credit. In general, for every dollar you contribute to a qualified retirement plan or IRA, upto the lesser of the limits permitted by an employersponsored plan or the IRS, you defer that amount from your current overall taxable income on your federal tax returns. #3. File Your Tax Return and Claim the Credit When you prepare your federal tax returns, you then claim your Saver’s Credit by subtracting this tax credit from your federal income taxes owed. If you use a professional tax preparer, ask about the Saver’s Credit, called the “Retirement Savings Contributions Credit” on Forms 1040, 1040A and 1040NR. Or, if you use tax preparation software, be sure to use Form 1040, Form 1040A or Form 1040NRto file your return. The Saver’s Credit is not avail- able with Form 1040EZ, although the IRS has included instructions with the EZ form directing you to a different form if you choose to claim the credit. Lastly, if you prepare your tax returns by hand, start with Form 8880, “Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions,” to determine your credit rate andcorresponding credit amount. Then use Form 1040 or Form 1040A to file your return. Transfer the amount of the Saver’s Credit from Form 8880 to line 50 of Form 1040, line 32 of Form 1040A or line 47 of Form 1040NR. Have questions? See IRS publication 590, ask a tax profes- sional or log on to the IRS website at Www.irs. gov. The 11th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey found that only 12 percent of full-time American workers with an annual household income of less than $50,000 are aware that the credit exists. Don’t overlook Uncle Sam’s Saver’s Credit. It may help you pay less in your current federal income taxes while saving for retirement. For more details on the Saver’s Credit and online retirement planning calculators, visit the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies at www.trans americacenter.org. The Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies is a nonprofit corporation. About Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies The Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (“The Center”) is a nonprofit corporation and private foundation. The Center is funded by contributions from Transamerica Life Insurance Company andits affiliates and may receive funds from unaffiliated third parties. For more information about The Center, please refer to www.transamericacenter.org. About the 11th Annual Retirement Survey This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies between December 3, 2009 and January 18, 2010 among 3,598 full-time and part-time workers. Potential respondents were targeted based on jobtitle and full-time and part-time status. Respondents met the following criteria: all U.S. residents, age 18 or older, full-time workers or part-time workers in for-profit companies, and employer size of 10 or more. Results were weighted as needed for the number of employees at companies in each employee size range. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.