Major banks and brokerage houses direct nearly all of their research and product marketing on the accumulation phase of an investor's life-that period when the focus is solely on gains and portfolio growth. But there are relatively few institutions or advisors who specialize what may be the most crucial phase of all, the distribution phase.

Distribution is the period during which individuals begin to draw down IRAs and pension accounts, taking required distributions and paying tax on the proceeds. This period may or may not corresponded with retirement, but for many investors, distribution begins at age 70 ½; the date when you must begin making withdrawals from retirement accounts. Those withdrawals are called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Failure to take RMDs on time can trigger stiff penalties.

For investors seeking Social Security benefits, distribution begins at Normal Retirement Age. (Presently, for baby boomers born in 1946, normal retirement age is 66 years.) If you are nearing your normal retirement age, and are planning to take Social Security benefits, you will need to calculate your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). You may also want to calculate an income replacement ratio-that is, the amount of savings you will need after you stop working in order to support your present lifestyle.

The friendly, professional advisors at America's IRA Centers™ are experts at making these calculations. Aaron Hersch, managing director of the Denver America's IRA Center™ can also create for you a comprehensive distribution plan. The benefits of a distribution strategy include:

· Mitigating and/or deferring tax

· Tracking the onset of milestones like your Normal Retirement Age (for Social Security benefits), and your Required Beginning Date (for RMDs)

· Planning supplementary income to Social Security

· Imposing a legacy IRA strategy (a.k.a a multi-generational IRA), and

· Providing guaranteed income that you can't outlive

America's IRA Centers™ is the nation's only locally-based financial services provider that specializes in IRAs and retirement distribution planning. Denver's America's IRA Centers™ is located at 7800 E Hampden Avenue, Suite 51, in the Tiffany Plaza shopping center, near the corner of East Hampden Avenue and Tamarac Drive. Call Aaron Hersch today at 303-779-4727 to arrange an initial consultation regarding distribution strategy.

About America's IRA Centers