For retirees

Keep more of your Social Security out of the tax net.

How much of your Social Security is taxed, up to eighty five percent, depends on your other income. Managing which accounts you draw from keeps your provisional income in check.

Watch the quick version

See how it works through one simple example.

Is this you?

You collect Social Security and have other income sources.
The mix of withdrawals you choose changes how much benefit is taxed.

Here is the idea, in plain words

Your other income decides how much of your Social Security is taxed, up to eighty five percent of it.

By managing which accounts you draw from, you keep your provisional income in check.

Smart sequencing keeps more of your Social Security completely tax-free.

What this could be worth

Smart withdrawal sequencing can keep more of your benefits out of the taxable range.
  • 1Estimate your provisional income for the year.
  • 2Choose which accounts to draw from to manage it.
  • 3Keep provisional income under the next benefit-tax threshold.

Educational guidance, not tax advice. We confirm every figure and your eligibility before you act.

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What to watch out for

The honest version.

  • Roth withdrawals usually do not count toward provisional income, while IRA withdrawals do.
  • One-time income can push more of your benefit into the taxable range.
  • Thresholds are not inflation-adjusted, so they catch more people over time.

Common questions

How much can be taxed?

Up to eighty five percent of your benefit, depending on your other income.

What is provisional income?

A measure combining part of your benefit with your other income to decide taxation.

How do I lower it?

Sequence withdrawals, leaning on Roth or other sources that do not raise it.

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