As you approach retirement, it’s important to consider tax-efficient strategies that can help you make the most of your retirement savings. By minimizing the amount of taxes you pay, you can stretch your retirement income further and make your savings last longer. Below are some tax-advantaged and tax-free retirement accounts you can utilize.

Roth IRAs

Roth IRAs are a popular retirement savings vehicle that can offer significant tax benefits. Contributions to a Roth IRA are made with after-tax dollars, which means that you won’t receive a tax deduction for your contributions. However, once you reach retirement age, you can withdraw your savings tax-free. This can be a valuable tax-free source of income in retirement.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

HSAs are tax-advantaged accounts that are designed to help you save for healthcare expenses. Contributions to an HSA are made with pre-tax dollars, which can help reduce your taxable income. Additionally, withdrawals from an HSA are tax-free if they are used to pay for qualified medical expenses. This can be a valuable tax-free source of income in retirement.

Municipal Bonds

Municipal bonds are issued by state and local governments and are typically exempt from federal taxes. If you purchase a municipal bond issued by a state in which you reside, the interest on that bond is also exempt from state and local taxes. This can be a valuable tax-free source of income in retirement.

Life Insurance

Certain types of life insurance policies can offer tax-free benefits in retirement. For example, a permanent life insurance policy can provide tax-free withdrawals of the policy’s cash value. Additionally, a death benefit paid to your beneficiaries is typically tax-free.

Real Estate

Investing in real estate can be a tax-efficient strategy for retirement planning. Rental income from investment properties is typically taxable, but there are ways to offset that income. For example, you can deduct expenses such as property taxes, mortgage interest, and repairs. Additionally, if you hold the property for more than a year, any capital gains from the sale of the property will be taxed at a lower rate.