20 Second Advisor: Potential mistakes when withdrawing from retirement accounts

If you are close to retirement, it is important to develop a withdrawal strategy that fits your needs and maximizes account values. Avoid these mistakes when that time comes:
- Withdrawing from your 401(k)s and IRAs first: this could cost yourself years worth tax-deferral. Additionally, it triggers taxable income that you will have to pay taxes on. In most cases, it is better to tap your brokerage accounts and any after-tax accounts first to let your retirement accounts continue growing tax-deferred or tax-free.
- Claiming social security at 62: if you can hold off, your SS benefit will be much higher if you wait to claim at your full retirement age.
- Tapping your Roth: put off withdrawing from your Roth IRA as long as possible so that it will continue to grow tax-free.
- Talk with an advisor: determining the optimal sequence to withdraw from your retirement accounts is different for everyone, so we recommend consulting an advisor to develop a plan that is right for you.