According to a recent article published by Kiplinger in December 2022, it's important for retirees and soon-to-be retirees to consider the impact of year-end tax and investment decisions on their Social Security benefits. For example, if retirees have substantial taxable income in a given year, it can result in higher taxes on their Social Security benefits. On the other hand, by making strategic investment decisions before year-end, retirees can reduce their taxable income and potentially avoid higher taxes on their Social Security benefits. This information is particularly relevant to our target audience of Occidental Petroleum workers looking to retire and existing retirees who may be looking for ways to optimize their retirement income.
What Are Year-End Investment Decisions?
Numerous Occidental Petroleum customers have concerns concerning tax planning and end-of-year investment decisions. Tax planning may enable you to control the timing and manner in which you report your income and claim your deductions and credits, whereas year-end investment decisions may result in substantial tax savings. The fundamental year-end planning strategy that we would like to share with our Occidental Petroleum clients revolves around timing — timing your income so that it is taxed at a lower rate, and timing your deductible expenses so that they can be claimed in years when you are in a higher tax bracket. In terms of investment planning, investing in capital assets may increase your ability to time the recognition of a portion of your income and enable you to take advantage of potentially lower-than-normal income tax rates. You have the option to determine when the income or loss from a variety of investment assets is recognized. In most cases, you decide when to sell your capital assets, but Occidental Petroleum clients should be aware that shifting prospective capital gain income to other taxpayers through gifting may be an appropriate strategy in certain circumstances.
How Do You Use The Capital Gains Tax To Lower Your Taxes?
Our Occidental Petroleum clients frequently inquire about capital gains tax deductions. Capital gains and losses are taxed in a unique manner. Currently, the maximum long-term capital gains tax rate (for most asset categories) is 20%, while the maximum ordinary income tax rate is 37% — a difference of 17%. It is essential for our Occidental Petroleum customers to remember that converting ordinary income to long-term capital gain income may result in a reduction of your federal income tax liability.
Tip: Long-term capital gains are generally taxed at special capital gains tax rates of 0%, 15%, and 20% depending on your taxable income. The actual process of calculating the tax on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends is extremely complicated and depends on the amount of your net capital gains and qualified dividends and your taxable income.
Additionally, the 3.8% net investment income tax applies to some or all of your net investment income (including capital gains) if your modified adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 for single or head of household filers, $250,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly, or $125,000 for married taxpayers filing separately.
Timing Your Capital Gain Recognition
If our Occidental Petroleum clients time the sale of their capital assets judiciously, they may be able to reduce their federal income tax liability. If it's late in the year and you want to sell a capital asset, you can wait until January to do so (assuming you have a calendar tax year) so that you realize your capital gain or loss the following year. This strategy is particularly advantageous for our Occidental Petroleum clients who are in a higher marginal tax bracket this year and anticipate being in a lower bracket next year. Capital gain income increases your adjusted gross income (AGI), so timing can also be crucial. Depending on your AGI, the quantity and availability of certain tax benefits may vary. For example, the itemized deduction for medical expenses is only available if medical expenses exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income.
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Plan Your Year-End Capital Gain And Loss Status
We also advise our Occidental Petroleum clients to schedule the recognition of capital losses. Any Occidental Petroleum client who anticipates a capital gain this year should evaluate their portfolio for potential capital losses that could be used to offset the gain. If you are an Occidental Petroleum client with capital loss carryforwards, you should evaluate your portfolio for capital gain opportunities that can be utilized with these carryforwards. In general, net capital losses are deductible dollar-for-dollar against net capital gains. Annually, excess losses may be used to offset up to $3,000 ($1,500 for married individuals submitting separate tax returns) of ordinary income. In excess of the limit, losses can be carried forward indefinitely.
The following strategies may be appropriate:
- Sell a property with a capital gain before the end of the year if your capital losses for the year exceed the sum of your capital gains plus $3,000 ($1,500 for married taxpayers submitting separate returns).
- For our Occidental Petroleum clients whose annual gains exceed their losses, we should advise them to sell properties with built-in losses to mitigate their excess gains.
- If your other allowable deductions for the year exceed your income, you should avoid incurring further capital losses as much as possible.
- If you've owned an investment for close to a year and wish to sell it, you should wait (if feasible). If you hold an asset for over a year before selling it, you can take advantage of the reduced long-term capital gains rates.
How Do You Select Investments To Control Income?
You may choose investments likely to generate ordinary income, such as interest, or income subject to reduced tax rates (certain qualified dividends or long-term capital gains). You can also choose investments with a high probability of producing ordinary or capital losses. You can determine when your investment income is taxed, keeping in mind that income distributions are generally not taxed until they are received (assuming you use the cash method of accounting). By understanding the tax laws, our Occidental Petroleum customers can reduce their taxes.
What about Shifting Income?
Through gifts, it may be possible to transfer prospective capital gains to other taxpayers. For Occidental Petroleum clients in a higher tax bracket, transferring appreciated assets to relatives in a lower tax bracket may be advantageous.
Conclusion
Just as a marathon requires consistent training and preparation over time, retirement requires a long-term plan that includes saving and investing wisely. Both require setting goals, building endurance, and staying on track to achieve those goals. Just as runners need to stay focused and motivated to cross the finish line, retirees need to stay focused on their financial goals and make adjustments along the way to ensure a successful retirement.
What are the key provisions of the Occidental Petroleum Corporation Retirement Plan that employees should understand to maximize their benefits, and how does the company structure its contributions relative to employees' earnings? As employees of Occidental Petroleum Corporation consider their retirement planning, it's vital to grasp how the company's contributions function, particularly concerning the wage base and annual earnings limits.
Key Provisions of the Occidental Petroleum Corporation Retirement Plan: The Occidental Petroleum Corporation Retirement Plan is fully funded by the company, with contributions based on an employee's annual earnings. The company contributes 7% of annual earnings up to the Social Security wage base ($137,700 in 2020) and 12% on earnings above the wage base. This structure is designed to help employees build substantial retirement savings. The plan's benefit limits align with IRS regulations, and employees should be aware of how these contributions are applied based on annual earnings limits to maximize their benefits(Occidental_Petroleum_Co…).
How can Occidental Petroleum Corporation employees manage their investment options within the Retirement Plan, and what resources does the company provide to help them make informed decisions? The investment options available through the Occidental Petroleum Corporation Retirement Plan serve as a significant tool for employees wishing to tailor their retirement savings according to their financial goals and risk tolerance. Understanding these options can be complex and requires an in-depth exploration of available funds, associated risks, and projected performance.
Managing Investment Options: Occidental Petroleum employees have control over how contributions to their Retirement Plan are invested. The plan offers various investment funds, including bond and stock market index funds, and target date funds. Employees can manage their investment elections through the online platform, oxy.voya.com, which also provides fund performance data and advice resources, such as Online Advice and Professional Management services, to assist employees in making informed decisions(Occidental_Petroleum_Co…).
In what ways do vesting schedules impact employees' retirement benefits at Occidental Petroleum Corporation, and what rights do employees have under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) regarding these benefits? Navigating the vesting schedule can make a profound difference in the go-forward retirement landscape for employees. Occidental Petroleum Corporation offers a structured approach to vesting, impacting when benefits are owned outright, and understanding the implications of ERISA for retirement planning is essential for all employees.
Impact of Vesting Schedules: Occidental Petroleum's Retirement Plan vests fully after three years of service. Employees are always fully vested in any Rollover accounts. Vesting schedules impact when employees can fully claim their retirement benefits, with protections under ERISA that guarantee the right to earned benefits. Employees who leave before vesting forfeit the nonvested portion of the company’s contributions(Occidental_Petroleum_Co…)(Occidental_Petroleum_Co…).
What are the distribution options available for employees of Occidental Petroleum Corporation when they reach retirement age, and how do these options affect their financial planning? The variety of distribution options at Occidental Petroleum Corporation can create a much more personalized retirement plan, allowing employees to consider how best to receive their benefits while factoring in tax implications and future income needs.
Distribution Options at Retirement: Employees reaching retirement age (60) have multiple distribution options from the Retirement Plan, including lump sum payments and annuity options. These choices impact financial planning, as each option has different tax and income implications, allowing employees to tailor their benefits to their future financial needs(Occidental_Petroleum_Co…)(Occidental_Petroleum_Co…).
How does Occidental Petroleum Corporation support employees who experience disability, and what provisions are in place for continuing retirement contributions during such periods? Understanding the support structure provided by the company, specifically in relation to short-term and long-term disability, is crucial for employees who may find themselves in unexpected circumstances. It’s important for them to know whether retirement contributions will continue during their disability or if they might need to make adjustments to their financial planning.
Disability and Retirement Contributions: Occidental Petroleum continues to contribute to the Retirement Plan if an employee is receiving short-term disability benefits. The contributions are based on the employee's actual pay during the disability period. This provision ensures that retirement savings can continue during times of temporary disability, supporting long-term financial planning(Occidental_Petroleum_Co…).
How can employees at Occidental Petroleum Corporation ensure their beneficiary designations remain current and what are the implications of these designations for estate planning? The process of maintaining accurate beneficiary designations is critical for the smooth transition of retirement benefits, and employees must be aware of how changes in personal circumstances can impact these designations.
Beneficiary Designations: Employees should regularly update their beneficiary designations to ensure their retirement benefits are directed as desired upon their death. Changes in personal circumstances such as marriage, divorce, or the death of a previously designated beneficiary should prompt an update. Failure to do so may result in unintended allocations(Occidental_Petroleum_Co…)(Occidental_Petroleum_Co…).
What are the specific eligibility requirements for the Occidental Petroleum Corporation Retirement Plan, and how do these requirements differ for various employee categories, such as full-time versus part-time employees? Recognizing the nuances of eligibility criteria within the retirement plan is essential for employees to understand when they can begin to participate and what contributions may apply, especially if they transition between roles.
Eligibility Requirements: Full-time and part-time non-union employees and some union-represented employees are eligible to participate in the plan. Contributions begin automatically on the first day of the month of employment or eligibility. Understanding the specific eligibility requirements, especially for employees transitioning between full-time and part-time roles, ensures accurate participation and benefit accumulation(Occidental_Petroleum_Co…).
How can employees reach out to Occidental Petroleum Corporation for assistance regarding their Retirement Plan benefits, and what are the best practices for ensuring their inquiries are addressed promptly? Effective communication with the company is key during the retirement planning process. Employees should know how to navigate company channels to maximize their understanding of benefits available to them.
Contacting Occidental Petroleum for Assistance: Employees can manage their retirement plan and address inquiries through the Oxy Retirement Service Center and the oxy.voya.com platform. Best practices for ensuring prompt responses include using the appropriate online tools and staying informed about plan updates and changes(Occidental_Petroleum_Co…).
What are the tax implications of distributions from the Occidental Petroleum Corporation Retirement Plan, and how can employees plan accordingly to minimize their tax burden during retirement? Having a comprehensive understanding of how taxes will impact withdrawals is crucial for employees as they strategize their retirement income, and these tax considerations can play a significant role in long-term financial planning.
Tax Implications of Distributions: Distributions from the Occidental Petroleum Retirement Plan are subject to standard federal and state taxes, including required minimum distributions (RMDs) starting at age 72. Employees should consider consulting a tax advisor to minimize tax burdens and maximize retirement income by understanding the specific tax consequences of various distribution options(Occidental_Petroleum_Co…).
How does Occidental Petroleum Corporation's retirement plan structure address the needs of employees transitioning from active service to retirement, particularly in terms of investment performance and management of existing accounts? As employees consider retirement, they should be well-informed about how the company manages contributions already made, ensuring that their investment strategy aligns with their anticipated retirement lifestyle and goals.
Transition from Active Service to Retirement: Occidental Petroleum supports employees transitioning to retirement by continuing contributions and offering a range of investment options that align with long-term financial goals. This structure allows employees to manage their investments effectively during retirement, ensuring that the plan remains aligned with their financial objectives(Occidental_Petroleum_Co…).
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