The closer you get to retirement age, the less time you have to save for your future. Even if you‘re doing better financially than others in your age group, it’s crucial to seize every potential savings opportunity that comes your way.
Fortunately for soon-to-be retirees, the federal government recognizes the difficulty of saving for retirement, which is why it offers tax breaks meant specifically to help workers over age 50 boost their savings ability.
If your 50th birthday celebration is coming soon or has already come, here are the tax rules you should take advantage of.
Increased standard deduction
When filing taxes, most people either itemize their expenses or claim the standard tax deduction, which changes from year to year.
Seniors 65 and older can claim an additional $1,850 deduction as individuals, lowering their taxable income even further.
The increased deduction also applies to married couples filing jointly as long as one spouse is 65 or older, and taking advantage of this can avoid wasting your retirement savings.
Increased IRA contributions
Generally speaking, the money you contribute to most individual retirement accounts (IRAs) isn’t counted as taxable income.
As a result, the IRS limits the amount of money you can contribute to certain types of retirement accounts. For most younger workers, that limit is $6,500 for IRA contributions in 2023 and $7,000 in 2024.
However, older workers who are trying to save more as they get closer to retirement can contribute more to their retirement funds: After age 50, you can contribute $7,500 to your IRA in 2023 or $8,000 in 2024.
Increased 401(k) contributions
Similarly, individuals younger than 50 are limited to contributing $22,500 in 2023 or $23,000 in 2024 to their 401(k), 403(b), Thrift Savings Plan, or 457 savings accounts.
Workers aged 50 or older can contribute up to $30,000 in 2023 or $30,500 in 2024. This is known as a “catch-up” contribution.
Earn $200 cash rewards bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) has no annual fee and you can earn $200 after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
The Active Cash Card puts cash back into your wallet. Cardholders can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — easy! That's one of the best cash rewards options available.
This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Medicare premium deduction
If you start working for yourself after you retire, you can write off your health care premiums for Medicare Part B, Medicare Part D, supplemental Medicare plans, and Medicare Advantage.
Plus, you don’t have to itemize other expenses to write off your Medicare premiums.
However, you should note that you can only claim Medicare premiums on your tax return if you aren’t covered by any other employer-sponsored health care, including coverage through a spouse’s job.
Increased HSA contributions
Like IRA and 401(k) contributions, the pre-tax money you contribute to a health savings account (HSA) lowers your annual taxable income.
For the 2023 tax year, individuals under age 55 are allowed to contribute no more than $3,850 to an HSA (or $7,750 for family plans). For the 2024 tax year, individuals under age 55 can contribute up to $4,150 to an HSA (or $8,300 for family plans).
However, if you're 55 or older, you can contribute an extra $1,000 a year to your HSA, lowering your taxable income even further.
Trending Stories
Qualified charitable deductions
If you have an individual retirement account, you’re usually required to start withdrawing a certain percentage from that account — and pay the income tax — once you reach age 72. This is the required minimum distribution (RMD).
However, once you’re at least 70 1/2, you can move as much as $100,000 from your IRA directly to a charity without paying any income tax on your charitable contribution.
Retirement News: Almost 80% of Americans fear a retirement age increase — here’s the real reason why
Penalty-free IRA withdrawals
Typically, workers who start withdrawing money from their IRAs before age 59 1/2 must pay a 10% penalty. However, if you’re at least 59 1/2, you don’t have to pay the 10% penalty.
You can take that money out of your account for any reason without incurring a fine, and use it to earn extra income or invest it.
Penalty-free 401(k) withdrawals
Along those same lines, you can start withdrawing from an employer-sponsored 401(k) account once you turn 55, as long as you’ve left the job sponsoring the retirement account.
That age drops to 50 for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other public safety officers who have served on their force for at least 25 years.
Property tax benefits or exemptions
Depending on your state of residence, age, and income bracket, you might qualify for a property tax break.
For instance, in Washington state, homeowners age 61 or older who meet certain disability or income requirements can apply for exemptions from certain property taxes.
In Texas, homeowners who are at least 65 years old might qualify for a property tax exemption of up to $10,000.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
You’ll also get insider info on social security, job listings, caregiving, and retirement planning. And you’ll get access to AARP’s Fraud Watch Network to help you protect your money, as well as tools to help you plan for retirement.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Tax credit for the elderly (age 65+)
Depending on your age, income, and retirement status, you might qualify for the Tax Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled, which is available to disabled retirees and individuals who are at least 65 years old.
The exact tax credit depends largely on your circumstances, but if your adjusted gross income is $17,500 or lower (or $25,000 for a married couple filing jointly where both partners are at least 65), you could qualify for a tax credit of up to $7,500.
Free tax filing
Filing your federal and state taxes for free isn’t quite the same thing as a tax break, but it definitely qualifies as tax-related savings, so we’re including it on our list.
Through AARP’s Tax-Aide program, employees (or early retirees) who are at least 50 years old can schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with a volunteer who will help you prepare and file your taxes free of charge.
Bottom line
No matter how young or old you are, taxes can be tiresome and complicated to keep up with.
Fortunately for older workers, though, several age-specific tax breaks can decrease your tax burden and boost your savings before exiting the workforce.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- 7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.
- Are you a homeowner? Get a protection plan on all your appliances.
- 6 genius hacks Costco shoppers should know.
- Learn how you can escape the paycheck-to-paycheck grind.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.