Where Will Your Retirement Money Come From?

For many people, Retirement income may come from a variety of sources. Here’s a quick review of the six main sources:

Social Security

Social Security is the government-administered retirement income program. Workers become eligible after paying Social Security taxes for 10 years. Benefits are based on each worker’s 35 highest earning years. If there are less than 35 years of earnings, non-earning years are averaged in as zero. In mid-2014, the average monthly benefit was $1,255.¹

Personal Savings and Investments

One survey found that 68% of today’s workers expected that their personal savings outside their IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans, and investments will be either a major or minor source of retirement funds. The same survey found that only 42% of current retirees report personal savings and investments are a source of funds.²

Individual Retirement Accounts

Traditional IRAs have been around since 1974. Contributions you make to a traditional IRA may be fully or partially deductible, depending on your individual circumstances. Distributions from a traditional IRA are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income-tax penalty. Generally, once you reach age 70½, you must begin taking required minimum distributions.

Roth IRAs were created in 1997. Roth IRA contributions cannot be made by taxpayers with high incomes. To qualify for the tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, Roth IRA distributions must meet a five-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal also can be taken under certain other circumstances, such as a result of the owner’s death. The original Roth IRA owner is not required to take minimum annual withdrawals.

Defined-Contribution Plans

Well over one-third of workers are eligible to participate in a defined–contribution plan such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan.³ Eligible workers can set aside a portion of their pre-tax income into an account, which then accumulates tax deferred.

Distributions from defined contribution plans are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income-tax penalty. Generally, once you reach age 70½, you must begin taking required minimum distributions.

Defined-Benefit Plans

Defined–benefit plans are “traditional” pensions—employer–sponsored plans under which benefits, rather than contributions, are defined. Benefits are normally based on factors such as salary history and duration of employment. The number of traditional pension plans has dropped dramatically during the past 30 years. (See chart below.)

Continued Employment

In a recent survey,74% of workers stated that they planned to keep working. In contrast, only 25% of retirees reported that continued employment was a major or minor source of retirement income.⁴

Fall of the Traditional Pension

Participation in traditional pension plans has fallen dramatically during the past 20 years. Participation in defined contribution plans, such as 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans, has risen steadily over the same period.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013. No survey data is available for 1992-1993, 2001-2002, and 2004

1. Social Security Administration, 2014

   2. Employee Benefits Research Institute, 2014

   3. Employee Benefits Research Institute, 2014

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