Are you wondering, “Can I roll an annuity into an IRA?” The simple answer is that it depends. Under some circumstances, an annuity rollover to an IRA is possible, but sometimes, you cannot transfer an annuity to an IRA.
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Basic Annuity Rollover Rules
The type of annuity you own dictates whether you can roll or transfer the annuity over into an IRA without tax penalties.
If you want to transfer an annuity to an IRA, you must first determine whether your annuity is qualified or non-qualified. Your ability to transfer funds from an annuity into an IRA will largely depend on the specific type of annuity you possess.
You can move your qualified annuity without penalty, but the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will hit you with a penalty if you try to move your non-qualified annuity into an IRA account. Qualified annuities allow IRA transfers and rollovers, while non-qualified annuities do not. Although you can cash out a non-qualified annuity and open an IRA, you will likely be forced to pay early surrender fees on the annuity itself.
Qualified Annuities and IRA Plans
A qualified annuity, such as a tax sheltered annuity (TSA), mirrors a traditional IRA in that you fund the annuity with pre-tax dollars. The IRS dubs this type of annuity “qualified” because it might qualify you for tax deductions on your contributions. It is also called a qualified annuity because it is usually set up by your employer and sits in a qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k) or 403(b).
Since a qualified annuity already resides in a qualified retirement plan, it is treated much like a qualified plan. An IRA annuity rollover is possible. And you can roll over or transfer the funds into an IRA. The better choice of the two options is to transfer your funds. This absolves you of any money-handling responsibility.
You notify your annuity plan holder and your IRA holder of your intent to transfer the funds into an IRA, fill out any necessary paperwork and let them make the transfer. A rollover gives you possession of the annuity funds, which you must then deposit into your IRA within 60 days. If you don’t, Uncle Sam will get cranky and treat your rollover as a distribution, which means an income tax and 10 percent tax penalty if you are under the age of 59 1/2.
Both types of annuities have different tax benefits. Your qualified annuity is tax deductible, and you don’t have to pay taxes on money until you begin receiving distributions. Your non-qualified annuity is funded with post-tax dollars, so your qualified distributions are tax-free.
Transferring or rolling over your qualified annuity is much easier than attempting to move your non-qualified annuity into an IRA. Consider the annuity and IRS fees and penalties prior to making the decision to rock your annuity’s boat.
Non-Qualified Annuity Rollovers
If you bought the annuity yourself, you have a non-qualified annuity. A non-qualified annuity is funded with after-tax dollars and does not sit within any qualified retirement plan, such as your 401(k) or an IRA. Much like Roth retirement plans, the distributions from a non-qualified annuity are not taxed because you paid taxes on the money when you bought the annuity.
You can’t transfer or roll over a non-qualified annuity because it doesn't sit within a qualified retirement plan. Therefore, Roth IRA annuity rollovers are not possible.
However, you can cash out your non-qualified annuity and use the funds to open an IRA, but you’ll get dinged with any early surrender fees the annuity holder charges, plus the 10 percent IRS early distribution tax penalty if you are under 59 1/2 old.
You might also be restricted on how much you can actually move into an IRA and pay additional fees if you withdraw more than the IRS-designated annual limits to deposit into an IRA.
Rollover Taxation and Contribution Limits
You need to replace any withholding fees, as well as taxes your annuity plan administrator pulled from your annuity prior to handing the funds over. Your rollover amount must be equal between the two plans. If you receive the funds directly and add them into your IRA, they may be subject to a 20 percent withholding tax; if you roll them over directly, the tax is only 10 percent.
The 2021 and 2022 contribution limits for IRAs are $6,000 for those under 50, and $7,000 for those 50 and over. If you're under 50 and withdraw $7,000 out of your non-qualified annuity and deposit it into an IRA, you'll pay a 6 percent excess contribution tax on top of all the fees and penalties.
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