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Using Tax-Free Life Insurance Strategies to Boost Retirement Income

Adam C. Hyser, CFP®, CLU, ChFC, Wealth Protection Strategist1

<p>Using Tax-Free Life Insurance Strategies to Boost Retirement Income</p>

Strategic use of cash value life insurance can provide similar tax-free benefits to a Roth IRA, without Roth IRA income limitations, all while delivering valuable policy benefits.

In the world of wealth planning, retirement is often a game of complex lifestyle questions. Do I have enough to maintain my current lifestyle? Will I have enough income to live life comfortably while protecting my family from potential risks? Am I doing enough to protect those things now? Many of these answers can come simply from a review of retirement accounts, but moving to alternatives to retirement accounts is increasingly creating flexibility for individuals.

Qualified retirement plans such as 401(k)s are not always offered by an employer. And even when they are, a plan participant’s full savings needs may not be satisfied because of contribution limits. IRAs and Roth IRAs offer additional qualified savings opportunities. Roth IRAs have income limitations in order to contribute to them. Also, the lower annual contribution limit may prevent savers from using these vehicles.

Roth IRA and Cash Value Life Insurance Similarities

Cash-value life insurance can be an excellent way to supplement retirement plan savings. During your working years, the policy death benefit will protect your family and replace lost income should something happen to you. At retirement, you then have access to the policy’s cash value through tax-favored loans and withdrawals.

A properly structured life insurance policy offers benefits similar to a Roth IRA. You can make contributions with after-tax money, accounts grow tax-deferred, and distributions are generally tax-free. And since there are no income limits or contribution ceilings, these policies offer flexibility and can be customized to meet unique financial planning requirements.

By structuring a life insurance plan as part of your retirement savings, you can gain several benefits, including:

  1. Tax-deferred growth.
  2. Distributions up to basis and policy loans are tax-free and do not impact your income tax bracket, Medicare premiums, capital gains, AGI or MAGI, or Social Security.
  3. A death benefit that is free of income tax.
  4. Protection from creditors (depending on the state).
  5. No retirement contribution limits or income limits.
  6. The potential to access cash before age 59 1/2 without penalty.
  7. Flexibility (withdrawals from insurance policies are not mandatory and may occur at any time or not at all).
  8. Optional riders to cover disability, long-term care, and critical illness needs.

Taking Action - What it Means for your Plan

One critical element to note when considering adding a cash-value life insurance strategy to your plan is whether you contribute the maximum to your IRAs and 401(k) in a given year. The policy then provides a seamless option for overflow retirement contributions to offer tax-free benefits in the future.

Depending upon the policy’s specifics, it also may include provisions for loans that would allow you to borrow cash and mitigate tax liabilities.

We need to mention that life insurance is one of the most versatile tools in your financial planning toolbox. It isn’t just a means to produce another retirement income stream. It’s a wealth transfer and protection vehicle as well. Having a policy strategy in place can allow you to transition wealth or assets into an account that protects these resources from higher taxation rates while providing a death benefit for heirs and loved ones.

Consider contacting your advisor to include a Wealth Protection policy audit as part of your annual wealth plan review. Use this time with your advisor to determine how this strategy could go beyond a retirement approach and into elements of your estate plan, long-term care plan, or your tax filing. A quick call with your advisor can help you not only to reinforce your Roth IRAs, but to support multiple elements of your long-term goals.

For more information, please contact your advisor.

Key Private Bank Wealth Protection Strategists are not fiduciaries. As such, they are compensated based on insurance product sales.

The Key Wealth Institute is comprised of a collection of financial professionals representing Key entities including Key Private Bank, KeyBank Institutional Advisors, and Key Investment Services.

Any opinions, projections, or recommendations contained herein are subject to change without notice and are not intended as individual investment advice.

This material is presented for informational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax or financial advice.

Bank and trust products are provided by KeyBank National Association (KeyBank), Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. Key Private Bank and KeyBank Institutional Advisors are part of KeyBank. Investment products, brokerage and investment advisory services are offered through Key Investment Services LLC (KIS), member FINRA/SIPC and SEC-registered investment advisor. Insurance products are offered through KeyCorp Insurance Agency USA, Inc. (KIA). KIS and KIA are affiliated with KeyBank.

Investment products are:

NOT FDIC INSURED • NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE • NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL OR STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY

KeyBank and its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their personal tax advisor before making any tax-related investment decisions.