myra (my Retirement Account) A New Way to Start Saving for Retirement

Transcription

1 myra (my Retirement Account) A New Way to Start Saving for Retirement

2 Introduction and Agenda Retirement savings challenges myra as a solution What is myra? Who is myra for? Getting involved with myra 2

3 Millions are not saving for retirement Many don t have access to a retirement savings plan at work a major catalyst for saving These workers are often: Employees of small businesses Part-time, seasonal, temporary and contracted employees Self-employed Working multiple jobs Young adults entering the workforce Employed in the retail, food service, leisure/hospitality, business services and manufacturing industries 3

4 Other common barriers include Cost and fees of opening and maintaining a retirement account Difficulty making choices among savings options Concerns about losing money Need to access funds for unexpected expenses or emergencies 4

5 myra from the U.S. Treasury myra is a new way to start saving for the future. Designed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, myra can help people take a step toward a more secure retirement in a way that s simple, safe, and affordable. New, voluntary retirement savings account (Roth IRA) No cost to open free No minimum balance No minimum contribution requirements No fees to maintain the account Will not lose value 5

6 Who is myra for? People who don t have access to a retirement savings plan at work People who want to save but haven t found an easy way to get started People who earn an annual income below $132,000 if single, or below $194,000 if married filing jointly 1 *Annual and lifetime contribution limits and annual earned income limits apply, as do conditions for tax-free withdrawal of earnings. Limits listed are for 2016 and may be adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases. To learn about key features of a Roth IRA and for other requirements and details, go to myra.gov/roth-ira. 6

7 myra is a Roth IRA 1 Contributions are invested in a new U.S. Treasury savings bond that earns interest at the same rate as investments in the Government Securities Fund available to federal employees 2 People can choose to transfer or roll over their myra into a privatesector Roth IRA at any time so they can continue to grow their savings myras can have a maximum account balance of $15,000, or a lower balance for up to 30 years. When either of those limits is reached, savings will be transferred into a private-sector Roth IRA 1 Annual and lifetime contribution limits and annual earned income limits apply, as do conditions for tax-free withdrawal of earnings. To learn about key features of a Roth IRA and for other requirements and details, go to myra.gov/roth-ira. 2 Accounts earn interest at the same rate as investments in the Government Securities Fund, which earned 2.04 percent in 2015 and had an average annual return of 2.94 percent over the ten-year period ending December

8 Saving with myra is Enroll in minutes at myra.gov Set up automatic contributions If changing jobs, the account stays with the saver No risk of losing money The investment is backed by the U.S. Treasury Withdraw money put in (contributions) without tax and penalty 1 No cost to open and no fees No minimum balance requirements No minimum contribution requirements Savers can contribute whatever fits their budget 2 1 Interest earned can be withdrawn without tax and penalty five years after your first contribution if you are over age 59 1/2 or meet certain other conditions, such as using the funds for the purchase of your first home. Accounts earn interest at the same rate as investments in the Government Securities Fund, which earned 2.04 percent in 2015 and had an average annual return of 2.94 percent over the ten-year period ending December Annual and lifetime contribution limits and annual earned income limits apply, as do conditions for tax-free withdrawal of earnings. Limits listed are for 2016 and may be adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases. To learn about key features of a Roth IRA and for other requirements and details, go to myra.gov/roth-ira. 8

9 What s new: expanded funding options for savers Three ways to contribute to your myra account 9

10 Encourage tax filers to save with myra Tax season is a great opportunity for people to boost their retirement savings. Tax preparers are in a unique position to help people start saving for the future. Talk to tax filers about myra Encourage tax filers to open an account and start saving with myra Determine if your clients can lower their tax bill by seeing if they are eligible for the Saver s Tax Credit Visit myra.gov/tax to learn more and download free materials 10

11 Partner organizations are a key to myra s success Original materials for distribution Resource page links Blog posts to members 11

12 Ways to get involved with myra Promote myra - Distribute myra materials - Spark discussion about myra on social media - Share information at conferences, exhibits and fairs - Link to myra.gov on your website Discuss myra - Highlight myra in newsletters, events, other communications - Attend U.S. Treasury roundtables, meetings, webinars and presentations about myra - Tell other businesses and industry groups about myra and encourage them to get involved Give us feedback - Helps us collect testimonials about myra - Share success stories from your efforts to promote myra 12

13 Website: myra.gov 13

14 myra resources to share Brochure Poster Infographic Videos Newsletter Articles Fact Sheets Top Questions Tax Prep Toolkit 14

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17 myra at Tax Time

18 How can you help tax filers? Help tax filers get on the path to a more secure retirement by encouraging them to contribute all or part of their tax refund to a myra account take advantage of the Saver s Tax Credit with their myra contributions (if eligible) 18

19 Your role as a tax preparer Talk to tax filers about myra Answer questions on myra Encourage tax filers to open an account and start saving with myra Determine if your clients are eligible for the Saver s Tax Credit Encourage your clients to keep saving with myra Provide additional information 19

20 Ways to encourage tax filers to open an account In the waiting room: Display the myra Tax Time Video Place myra table tents throughout the room Provide myra at a glance postcards Provide access to a computer so that clients can open a myra account on-site Run the myra Enrollment Video Provide assistance to clients who want to go on-line to open an account 20

21 Steps for Saving a Tax Refund to a myra Account 1. Set up a myra account. (Already have a myra? Have your account number ready and move on to step 2.) It takes only minutes to open a myra account online at myra.gov/tax or by phone at When choosing how to fund your myra account, make sure to select the direct deposit/tax refund option. Make note of your myra account and routing numbers, which you will receive during the enrollment process. You'll need these when you do your taxes. 2. When you prepare your return, choose direct deposit as your refund method. You may be asked if you want to get your tax refund via a paper check, direct deposit, or other options; to contribute to your myra account, you ll need to select direct deposit. 3. Provide your myra account information. Enter the account and routing numbers for your myra account, and mark it as a savings account when asked for the account type. myra s routing number is Submit your tax return. Be sure to include all required signatures, information, and IRS forms, and watch for your tax refund to be deposited into your myra account by logging onto myra.gov/tax. * For more in depth instructions, please refer to the Step by step guide 21

22 Contact us To learn more about myra Visit myra.gov Or visit us today at booth #