"Consolidation really pays off at distribution time."
When age 70 1/2 rolls around, you must start taking at least a minimum distribution from your tax-deferred accounts (for example, employer-sponsored plans and IRAs). So, let’s say you never consolidated your two IRAs, and accounts at three former employers. Every year, you’ll need to round up your five account statements, do the minimum-distribution math on each account, decide how much you want to take, and get the wheels in motion for the distribution. Sounds like a lot of work. OR, if you have just one account – lucky you – you can just do the math once. Whew! If you haven’t given serious thought to consolidating and you’re nearing 70 1/2, click for easy how-to.
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