Important Information for AT&T Professionals to Know About Their IRA Accounts

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For AT&T employees nearing retirement, tools like spousal IRAs and backdoor Roth conversions can increase retirement savings flexibility - but planning ahead can prevent tax surprises - said Wesley Boudreaux, of The Retirement Group, a division of The Retirement Group.

'AT&T professionals should optimize their IRA contributions now that the Estate Tax Exemptions are changing,' said Michael Corgiat, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of The Retirement Group.

In this article, we will discuss:

1. Contribution limits and income thresholds for IRAs.

2. Spousal IRA benefits & strategies.

3. Top tax considerations and planning for high earners: the pro-rata rule and Roth conversions.

Individual Retirement Accounts are a major component of retirement planning and provide many tax advantages. But understanding IRA contributions in the context of income limits helps AT&T professionals plan for retirement.

Understanding IRA Contribution Limits

For those planning a retirement, IRA contributions are capped annually. Such limits are recalculated periodically for inflation and other economic factors. For example, the standard IRA contribution limit was USD 6,500 in 2023 (USD 7,000 for those 50 and older), rising to USD 7,000 (USD 8,000 for those 50 and older) starting in 2024 -- levels that remain in place through 2026.

IRA Income Thresholds for Contributions.

Whether you can contribute directly to a Roth IRA or receive a tax deduction on a traditional IRA contribution is determined by your income. Those thresholds may impose restrictions on high earners. As of 2026, a married couple filing jointly must earn less than USD 242,000 a year for full Roth IRA contributions, with contributions phasing out completely at USD 252,000 -- thresholds that are adjusted annually for inflation.

But fewer know that there's also an income floor for IRA contributions. Your earned income must at least match your IRA contribution. Especially true for those with lower earned income due to retirement or reduced hours.

The Spousal IRA: An Advantage for Couples

The spousal IRA provision is useful for married couples when one partner has little or no earned income. This rule doubles the IRA contribution potential of a spouse with enough earned income to contribute to an IRA in the name of the non-earning spouse. This is a plus for couples where one partner is retired or unemployed.

High-Income Couples: Navigating Roth IRA Contributions

High earners may be limited in contributing directly to a Roth IRA or receiving tax deductions for traditional IRA contributions. Here is where a spousal backdoor Roth IRA comes in handy. They let top earners go around those limits by first contributing to a non-deductible traditional IRA and then converting it to a Roth IRA.

Pro-Rata Rule and Tax Considerations for AT&T Professionals.

Know the pro-rata rule of the IRS for backdoor Roth IRA conversions. The proportion of pre-tax versus after-tax money in your IRAs may cause a tax bill during the conversion process. Know the tax consequences of a spousal backdoor Roth IRA and plan for them accordingly.

Evaluate whether additional savings are needed.

Although maximizing IRA contributions can be a great strategy, you still should consider whether additional savings are needed. When you and your spouse contribute to employer-sponsored retirement plans, additional IRA contributions may outweigh other financial goals and needs.

Diversifying Retirement Income

Spousal IRAs help diversify your retirement income sources. For instance, if most of your retirement savings are currently invested in pre-tax accounts like 401(k)s, contributing to a Roth IRA can earn you tax-free income in retirement while giving you more freedom with your retirement planning.

Spousal IRA Contributions - Making the Decision.

If one partner has little earned income, a spousal IRA may be a way to increase retirement savings. Particularly if traditional IRA deductions are not possible or if direct Roth contributions are capped by income. In such situations, the backdoor Roth method is an option.

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Using IRA contributions wisely, including understanding spousal IRAs and backdoor Roth IRAs, is critical to retirement savings. And this is particularly true for people transitioning to retirement or who are already retired - matching savings to present income levels and goals for the future. Keep up with these retirement savings tools and review your finances often.

For AT&T professionals over age 60 and especially those with substantial assets, knowing the current Estate Tax Landscape is critical. The federal estate tax exemption was permanently extended by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed As of 2026, and stands at $15 million per person -- or $30 million for a couple -- as of 2026. This exemption is no longer subject to a sunset provision and will be indexed for inflation beginning in 2027. Large estates should still consider strategic gifting and trust planning to make the most of these elevated thresholds.

A yacht sailing through shifting tides and currents is similar to handling IRA contributions and estate taxes. Like a sailor who knows the sea to navigate, AT&T professionals approaching retirement or retired must understand IRA limits, spousal IRA rules, and how estate tax exemptions are changing. Much like how the tides change direction on a yacht, changing tax laws and IRA regulations can change the direction of one's course toward a secure and prosperous AT&T retirement.

Choosing the right state for retirement means matching your income sources to local tax treatment -- and knowing exactly what AT&T contributes in employer-funded retirement benefits shapes that calculation directly -- AT&T maintains an active defined benefit pension plan, meaning eligible employees continue to accrue pension benefits based on service and compensation. If you elect a lump sum payout at retirement, the IRS Section 417(e) segment rates determine how the future annuity stream is discounted to a present value -- rising rates compress the lump sum, and timing your election relative to the plan's stability period and lookback month can meaningfully affect the amount you receive. Understanding what your accrued benefit is worth -- and how it interacts with Social Security and any 401(k) savings -- is a key component of the income plan The Retirement Group helps AT&T employees build before they retire.

For specific healthcare plan options at AT&T -- including which medical plans are available, whether an HDHP or HSA option is offered, and what retiree coverage looks like -- employees should confirm current details directly with HR or the company benefits portal, as those details are subject to annual open enrollment changes. AT&T also offers continued medical coverage for retirees, which can help bridge the gap between your last day of work and Medicare eligibility at 65 -- a cost that catches many employees off guard if it is not built into the retirement income plan. The Retirement Group works with AT&T employees to project the full cost of healthcare coverage across the retirement timeline and integrate it into the income plan.

Sources:

1. Saunders, Laura. 'Your Guide to Taxes for Retirees and Retirement Accounts.'  The Wall Street Journal , 20 Feb. 2025, pp. 1-3.

2. 'Retirement Topics - IRA Contribution Limits.'  Internal Revenue Service , Aug. 2024,  www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/ira-contribution-limits .

3. Chen, James. 'Backdoor Roth IRA: Advantages and Tax Implications Explained.'  Investopedia , 15 May 2015,  www.investopedia.com/articles/retirement/051515/backdoor-roth-ira-advantages-and-tax-implications-explained.asp .

4. Smith, John. 'The Spousal IRA.'  The FI Tax Guy , Jan. 2024,  www.fitaxguy.com/spousal-ira .