Leveraging RMDs to Strengthen Your University of California Portfolio

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'University of California employees should view Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) as an opportunity to optimize their portfolio and adjust allocations - turning what could be a tax headache into a window of thoughtful financial management,' says Kevin Landis, representing The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.

Planning RMD withdrawals allows University of California employees to increase long-term financial stability, reduce tax exposure and adjust assets to changing market conditions while meeting their obligations, 'says Paul Bergeron, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.

In this article we will discuss:

1. The challenges and opportunities of Required Minimum Distributions for University of California investors.

2. How to adjust your portfolio using RMD withdrawals.

3. The tax efficiency benefits of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and optimizing RMD timing.

Many University of California investors have significant tax obligations associated with Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Although taxes are inevitable, RMDs also force investors to pull money from their accounts - even if they're not needed for daily expenses - which can result in unexpected tax bills. And RMD withdrawal rates may be higher than desired. However, RMDs can - with some planning - also be an opportunity to enhance investment portfolios.

RMDs are a tax-deferred account obligation for many - traditional IRAs, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs and inherited IRAs - 25% plus taxes. It was previously 50%, but the Secure 2.0 legislation slashed that penalty to 10% with the possibility of further reduction to 10% or waiver in cases of reasonable error. Meeting RMD deadlines helps avoid penalties and maintain a sound financial plan.

Not seeing RMDs as a financial burden, University of California investors can use them to rebalance portfolios, adjust asset allocations and sell assets that no longer support their goals. Integrated into a wider investment strategy, RMDs may be an important component of portfolio management.

Step 1: Set Your Required Minimum Distribution.

Planning for RMDs starts with knowing how much money to withdraw. All tax-deferred IRAs except Roth IRAs are subject to RMDs - This includes traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs - and employer-sponsored retirement plans like the 401(k), including Roth 401(k)s (subject to change in 2024 when Roth 401(k)s will no longer require RMDs).

Find your RMD by examining account balances as of December 31 of the prior year. For example, 2024 RMDs would be based on balances as of 2023. Refer to the appropriate RMD table for your situation then. People use the Uniform Lifetime Table but there is a Table for those with a spouse over ten years younger than the primary beneficiary.

One benefit of RMDs for IRAs is withdrawals need not come from each account individually. Or investors can pull out RMD amounts from all IRAs in their name (including SEP and SIMPLE IRAs) in one withdrawal. This flexibility is reflected also in 403(b) accounts. But RMDs from traditional retirement plans like 401(k)s and qualified corporate retirement plans must be withdrawn individually.

Step 2: Assess Your Asset Allocation.

Identify areas of adjustment in your portfolio's asset allocation once you know your RMD amount. Portfolio management tools like Morningstar's portfolio X-Ray show your portfolio composition compared to your target allocation. Where allocations veer off of your intended outcomes, you could use RMDs to trim holdings in overrepresented asset categories.

Recently U.S. stocks have beaten international stocks and bonds, which often tilt portfolios toward domestic equities. When completing RMDs, withdraw from overrepresented stocks or assets you want to reduce to keep the balance without interfering with your investment plan.

Step 3: Select Holdings to Reduce.

After clarifying asset allocation, identify holdings to reduce. Assess your portfolio across sectors and investment styles first. A Morningstar style Box classifying investments by size and style may reveal overvalued stocks.

With recent growth stocks outperforming value stocks, some portfolios may now be excessively invested in growth assets. Also a good time to sell stocks or funds that have appreciated but are more risky or volatile. If any holdings have experienced management changes, fee hikes or other adjustments, they might be good candidates for reduction.

Step 4: Choose how to Use Withdrawn Assets.

How you will divide up RMD proceeds depends on your financial plan. Put these funds towards current expenses or put them in a 'cash bucket' for future needs. For taxable accounts, reinvesting RMDs in long-term investments may maintain target asset allocation. Whenever RMDs are greater than immediate needs, they can be reinvested in a taxable account or if deemed eligible, made as contributions to a traditional or Roth IRA.

For example, University of California RMD-eligible investors with earned income could contribute to a Roth IRA. Roth assets are exempt from RMDs and can grow without mandatory withdrawals.

Step 5: Look at Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs).

For charitable investors over age 70 1/2, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a good strategy. With QCDs, up to USD 105,000 from an IRA can be given away to charity meeting RMD requirements without increasing taxable income. The increase in standard deductions means that some investors wish to review their deductions, so QCDs may be an asset to achieving charitable goals while remaining tax efficient.

Specific steps must be followed to execute a QCD - Investors should consult IRA custodians who may need to work directly with charities to complete the transfer. Some custodians also let you write IRA checks for charity, but the distribution must go to the charity.

Creating Portfolios with Strategic RMD Strategy.

RMDs applied strategically can help University of California investors align withdrawals with asset allocation goals and personal spending needs - all while meeting regulatory requirements.

This approach is especially relevant given current economic conditions in which market volatility has prompted some to rethink their exposure to growth-focused stocks. Growth-oriented assets have posted big gains too - and this may also indicate an opportunity to rebalance toward diversified assets or other sectors.

RMDs also support long-term growth objectives when reinvested properly. For example, putting RMD funds into dividend-paying stocks or conservative bonds could create a future income stream in addition to broader financial goals.

Optimizing RMD Timing

Schedule withdrawals based on market conditions is one way to improve RMD benefits. A 2024 Vanguard study suggests that withdrawing RMDs after market upswings could let investors capture gains while stabilizing investments during downturns. Known as market-sensitive RMD timing, this approach can support tax planning and risk management by leveraging appreciated assets during appropriate market conditions. This strategy requires a tax advisor to help with timing and market assessment.

A Gardening Analogy for RMDs.

Imagine RMDs as seasonally pruned in a well-kept garden. As selective pruning cuts out overgrown branches for balance and growth, RMDs let you adjust parts of your portfolio that are too concentrated or misaligned with your goals. This 'pruning' can limit exposure to higher-risk assets and rebalance you toward steadier investments. RMDs help build a resilient portfolio ready for growth - through thoughtful trimming.

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Sources: 

1. Adams, Hayden, and Kathy Cashatt. 'RMD Strategies to Help Ease Your Tax Burden.'  Charles Schwab , 15 Jan. 2025,  www.schwab.com/learn/story/rmd-strategies-to-help-ease-your-tax-burden .

2. Internal Revenue Service. 'Retirement Topics – Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).'  IRS ,  www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmds .

3. Hnt, Dan. '4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts.'  Morgan Stanley , 7 Jan. 2025,  www.morganstanley.com/articles/financially-smart-ways-to-use-required-minimum-distributions .

4. Adams, Hayden, and Kathy Cashatt. 'Required Minimum Distributions: What's New in 2025.'  Charles Schwab , 15 Jan. 2025,  www.schwab.com/learn/story/required-minimum-distributions-what-you-should-know .

5. 'How Required Minimum Distributions Impact Your Traditional IRA Balance.'  Investopedia , 22 Nov. 2024,  www.investopedia.com/required-minimum-distributions-for-iras-8742766 .