Retirement planning is all about building security and preserving wealth, but sometimes, it’s also about finding creative ways to keep more of what you’ve earned. Over the years, savvy retirees (and their advisors) have discovered plenty of strategies to legally reduce taxes and stretch retirement savings further. While these moves can be completely above board, they often raise eyebrows at the IRS. Some might even call them loopholes.
From Roth IRA conversions to real estate maneuvers, these tactics aren’t just about saving money; they’re about making the most of your retirement while staying within the rules. Let’s explore 10 retirement loopholes that make the IRS sweat and why you should know about them before the next tax season hits.
1. Roth IRA Conversions (Especially in Low-Income Years)
One of the most popular (and surprisingly effective) retirement loopholes involves Roth IRA conversions. By moving money from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA during a year with low taxable income, retirees can pay taxes at a lower rate, potentially saving thousands in the long run.
The IRS watches these conversions carefully because they can mean big tax savings later on. Once the money is in a Roth IRA, it grows tax-free and can be withdrawn tax-free in retirement. This loophole also sidesteps required minimum distributions (RMDs) that can hike up your tax bill. While the IRS allows Roth conversions, they’re on high alert for retirees using this move to dodge higher future taxes.
2. Using Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for Retirement Health Costs
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are designed to help people with high-deductible health plans save for medical expenses. But retirees (or near-retirees) have turned these accounts into a stealthy retirement strategy. Contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free—a triple tax advantage.
Smart retirees let their HSA balances grow, then tap into them in retirement for health care costs. It’s one of the few accounts where the IRS lets you avoid taxes at every stage—contribution, growth, and withdrawal. That’s why the IRS keeps a close eye on them, especially when retirees use them like a secret retirement fund rather than a year-to-year medical account.
3. Strategic Early Withdrawals to Beat RMDs
Once you hit age 73, you’re required to take minimum distributions from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s, and those distributions are taxed as ordinary income. But what if you could reduce that future tax burden? Some retirees strategically withdraw from these accounts earlier, before RMDs kick in, to take advantage of lower tax brackets.
By drawing down these accounts gradually, retirees may keep their taxable income lower overall and minimize RMDs later on. It’s perfectly legal—but it’s also something the IRS watches carefully, as it can lower the government’s tax haul over time.
4. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
For retirees who don’t need all their RMDs to live on, there’s a neat trick called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). Instead of taking your RMD and paying taxes on it, you can transfer up to $100,000 directly to a qualified charity. This satisfies your RMD requirement but keeps that money from showing up in your taxable income.
It’s a win-win for retirees who want to support good causes while cutting their tax bill. The IRS, however, keeps a sharp eye on these transactions to ensure that retirees aren’t using them to skirt the rules or double-dip on deductions.
5. Tax-Loss Harvesting in Retirement Accounts
Tax-loss harvesting, aka selling investments at a loss to offset gains, typically applies to taxable brokerage accounts, but retirees have found ways to incorporate this strategy into retirement planning, too. For example, some retirees coordinate their taxable accounts and retirement accounts to manage their overall tax picture.
By offsetting gains in one account with losses in another, they can reduce their taxable income and potentially lower Medicare premiums or avoid taxes on Social Security benefits. The IRS is wary of this technique because it can erode taxable gains that would otherwise pad Uncle Sam’s coffers.
6. Using Real Estate to Shelter Income
Many retirees invest in real estate, and some use rental property losses to offset other income, including even income from their retirement accounts. By deducting mortgage interest, property taxes, maintenance, and depreciation, retirees can lower their taxable income significantly.
In some cases, they even use real estate professional status to maximize these deductions. While it’s legal if done correctly, the IRS often flags these deductions for closer scrutiny, especially when they seem too good to be true.
7. Gifting Strategies to Lower Estate Taxes
Gifting during retirement can reduce the size of your taxable estate and minimize estate taxes. By giving money to children or grandchildren each year, retirees can move assets out of their estate, potentially avoiding higher estate taxes down the road.
The IRS allows annual gift exclusions (currently $18,000 per recipient in 2024), but large gifts beyond that can trigger gift tax reporting requirements. The IRS is always on the lookout for retirees who try to skirt estate taxes by making suspiciously large or repeated gifts, especially if they’re not properly documented.
8. Backdoor Roth IRAs
For higher-income retirees (and those still working part-time), direct Roth IRA contributions may be off-limits due to income limits. Enter the backdoor Roth: a clever loophole that involves making a nondeductible contribution to a traditional IRA, then converting it to a Roth.
This move effectively bypasses income restrictions, letting high earners get money into a Roth and enjoy tax-free growth. The IRS has acknowledged this strategy’s legality but keeps a watchful eye for missteps, like accidentally triggering the pro-rata rule that can spoil the tax benefits.
9. Deferring Social Security to Reduce Taxes
Waiting to claim Social Security benefits until age 70 not only increases your monthly payout but can also lower your taxable income during the years you’re delaying. By living off other assets (like Roth IRAs or taxable accounts) in the meantime, retirees can strategically manage their tax brackets.
Once Social Security kicks in, the higher payments are partially taxable, but the overall tax hit can be less severe. The IRS is keenly aware that retirees might use this strategy to minimize taxes, and while it’s completely legal, they watch closely for retirees who try to game the system with complex withdrawals.
10. 72(t) Distributions to Access Retirement Money Early
Normally, if you withdraw money from a retirement account before age 59½, you’re hit with a 10% penalty. But there’s a loophole—Section 72(t)—that allows retirees to take “substantially equal periodic payments” (SEPPs) without penalty.
This strategy lets retirees access their retirement savings early while avoiding the penalty, but the rules are strict: you must stick to the withdrawal schedule for at least five years or until you reach 59½, whichever is longer. The IRS watches these withdrawals carefully because any mistake, like missing a payment, can trigger back taxes and penalties.
Retirement Loopholes: Smart Strategy or IRS Red Flag?
Retirement planning is complicated enough without adding the stress of IRS scrutiny. But knowing how these loopholes work and the rules you need to follow can help you save thousands while keeping things above board. Remember, every dollar you keep in your pocket is one less for the IRS, but it’s crucial to use these strategies carefully to avoid triggering audits or penalties.
Have you ever tried one of these retirement loopholes or considered it? Let’s talk about what worked, what didn’t, and what you wish you’d known sooner
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Riley is an Arizona native with over nine years of writing experience. From personal finance to travel to digital marketing to pop culture, she’s written about everything under the sun. When she’s not writing, she’s spending her time outside, reading, or cuddling with her two corgis.
