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Product Taxation at a Glance

 

  Deductible contributions Tax-deferred earnings Age of withdrawal without tax penalty Age when minimum distribution is required
403(b) and 401(k) Retirement Plans Yes
(your contributions, not your employer's).
Yes 59½* 70½**
Keogh Yes Yes 59½* 70½
Traditional IRA Yes, up to $5,000
(if 50 or older, up to $6,000 in 2008).***
Yes 59½* 70½
Roth IRA No Yes, and distributions, including earnings, are completely tax free if held five or more years if a distributable event has occurred. 59½, and distributions, including earnings, are completely tax free if held five or more years if a distributable event has occurred. (Contributions may always be withdrawn tax-free.)* N/A
After-Tax Annuities No Yes 59½* 90
529 College Savings Plans No, but state deductions may be available. Yes, and qualified distributions, including earnings, are tax-free. Qualified withdrawal rules vary from state to state. Non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal and state taxes, and possible recapture provisions for state tax deduction amounts. N/A
Universal Life Insurance No Yes Withdrawals may be made at any time without tax penalty, unless the policy is a modified endowment contract ("MEC"). Withdrawals and loans from a MEC prior to age 59 ½ may give rise to an early withdrawal penalty of 10% of the amount subject to tax. N/A
Mutual Funds No No Withdrawals may be made at any time without tax penalty. N/A
* Withdrawals of earnings are subject to ordinary income tax and a federal 10% penalty may apply prior to age 59½.
** Grandfathered amounts in 403(b) plans not subject to minimum distribution until age 75.
*** Deductions are subject to income restrictions if participant or spouse participates in a retirement plan.
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Note: Neither TIAA-CREF nor its affiliates offer tax advice. Please contact your tax advisor regarding your situation.

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