What Is the Accumulation Phase?

Accumulation phase has two meanings for investors and those saving for retirement. It refers to the period when an individual is working and planning and ultimately building up the value of their investment through savings. The accumulation phase is then followed by the distribution phase, in which retirees begin accessing and using their funds.

How the Accumulation Phase Works

The accumulation phase is also a specific period when an annuity investor is in the early stages of building up the cash value of the annuity. This building phase is followed by the annuitization phase, where payments are paid out to the annuitant.

The accumulation phase essentially begins when a person starts saving money for retirement and ends when they begin taking distributions. For many people, this starts when they begin their working life and ends when they retire from the work world. It is possible to start saving for retirement even before beginning the work phase of one’s life, such as when someone is a student, but it is not common. Typically, joining the workforce coincides with the start of the accumulation phase.

Importance of the Accumulation Phase

Experts state that the sooner an individual begins the accumulation phase, the better, with the long-term financial difference between beginning to save in one’s 20s vs. in the 30s substantial. Postponing consumption by saving during an accumulation period will most often increase the amount of consumption one will be able to have later. The earlier the accumulation period is in your life, the more advantages you will have, such as compounding interest and protection from business cycles.

In terms of annuities, when a person invests money in an annuity to provide income for retirement, they are at the accumulation period of the annuity’s life span. The more invested during the accumulation phase, the more will be received during the annuitization phase.

Real-World Examples

There are many income streams that an individual can build up during the accumulation phase, starting from when they first enter the workforce, or in some cases, sooner. Here are a few of the more popular options.

• Social Security: This is a contribution automatically deducted from every paycheck you receive.
• 401(k): This is an optional tax-deferred investment that can be made paycheck-to-paycheck, monthly, or yearly provided your employer offers such an option. The amount you can set aside has yearly limits and also depends on your income, age, and marital status.
• IRAs: An Individual Retirement Account can be either pretax or after-tax, depending on which option you choose. The amount you can invest varies year-to-year, as set out by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and depends on your income, age, and marital status.
• Investment portfolio: This refers to an investor’s holdings, which can include assets such as stocks, government, and corporate bonds, Treasury bills, real estate investment trusts (REITs), exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, and certificates of deposits. Options, derivatives and physical commodities like real estate, land and timber can also be included in the list.
• Deferred payment annuities: These annuities offer tax-deferred growth at a fixed or variable rate of return. They allow individuals to make monthly or lump-sum payments to an insurance company in exchange for guaranteed income down the line, typically 10 years or more.
• Life insurance policies: Some policies can be useful for retirement, such as if an individual pays an after-tax, fixed amount annually that grows based on a particular market index. The policy would need to be the kind that allows the individual to withdraw in retirement the principal and any appreciation from the policy essentially tax-free.

What Is the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS)?

The Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS) is a system that facilitates the transfer of securities from one trading account to another at a different brokerage firm or bank.

The National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) developed the ACATS system, replacing the previous manual asset transfer system with this fully automated and standardized one. This greatly reduced the cost and time of moving assets between brokerage accounts as well as cut down on human error.

How the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS) Works

The ACATS system is initiated when the new receiving firm has the client sign the appropriate transfer documents. Once the document is received in good order, the receiving firm submits a request using the client’s account number and sends it to the delivering firm. If the information matches between both the delivering firm and the receiving firm, the ACATS process can begin. The process takes usually takes three to six business days to complete.

The ACATS simplifies the process of moving assets from one brokerage firm to another. The delivering firm transfers the exact holdings to the receiving firm. For example, if the client had 100 shares of Stock XYZ at the delivering firm, then the receiving firm receives the same amount, with the same purchase price.

This makes it more convenient for clients, as they do not need to liquidate their positions and then repurchase them with the new firm. Another benefit is that clients do not need to let their previous brokerage firm or advisor know beforehand. If they are unhappy with their current broker, they can simply go to a new one and start the transfer process.

Securities Eligible for ACATS

Clients can transfer all publicly traded stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), cash, bonds, and most mutual funds through the ACATS system.

ACATS can also transfer certificates of deposit (CDs) from banking institutions through the ACATS system, as long as it is a member of the NSCC. ACATS also works on all types of accounts, such as taxable accounts, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), trusts, and brokerage 401(k)s.

Securities Ineligible for ACATS

There are several types of securities that cannot go through the ACATS system. Annuities cannot transfer through the system, as those funds are held with an insurance company. To transfer the agent of record on an annuity, the client must fill out the correct form to make the change and initiate the process via what is known as a 1035 exchange.

Other ineligible securities depend on the regulations of the receiving brokerage firm or bank. Many institutions have proprietary investments, such as non-transferrable mutual funds and alternative investments that may need to be liquidated and which may not be available for repurchase through the new broker. Also, some firms may not transfer unlisted shares or financial products that trade over the counter (OTC).

What Is Asset Management?

Asset management is the practice of increasing total wealth over time by acquiring, maintaining, and trading investments that have the potential to grow in value.

Asset management professionals perform this service for others. They may also be called portfolio managers or financial advisors. Many work independently while others work for an investment bank or other financial institution.

Understanding Asset Management

Asset management has a double-barreled goal: increasing value while mitigating risk. That is, the client’s tolerance for risk is the first question to be posed. A retiree living on the income from a portfolio, or a pension fund administrator overseeing retirement funds, is (or should be) risk-averse. A young person, or any adventurous person, might want to dabble in high-risk investments.

Most of us are somewhere in the middle, and asset managers try to identify just where that is for a client.

The asset manager’s role is to determine what investments to make, or avoid, to realize the client’s financial goals within the limits of the client’s risk tolerance. The investments may include stocks, bonds, real estate, commodities, alternative investments, and mutual funds, among the better-known choices.

The asset manager is expected to conduct rigorous research using both macro and microanalytical tools. This includes statistical analysis of prevailing market trends, reviews of corporate financial documents, and anything else that would aid in achieving the stated goal of client asset appreciation.

Types of Asset Managers

There are several different types of asset managers, distinguished by the type of asset and level of service that they provide. Each type of asset manager has a different level of responsibility to the client, so it is important to understand a manager’s obligations before deciding to invest.

Registered Investment Advisers

A registered investment adviser (RIA) is a firm that advises clients on securities trades or even manages their portfolios. RIAs are closely regulated and are required to register with the SEC if they manage more than $100 million in assets.

Investment Broker

A broker is an individual or firm that acts as an intermediary for their clients, buying stocks and securities and providing custody over customer assets. Brokers generally do not have a fiduciary duty to their clients, so it is always important to thoroughly research before buying.

Financial Advisor

A financial advisor is a professional who can recommend investments to their clients, or buy and sell securities on their behalf. Financial advisors may or may not have a fiduciary duty to their clients, so it is always important to ask first. Many financial advisors specialize in a specific area, such as tax law or estate planning.

Robo-Advisor

The most affordable type of investment manager isn’t a person at all. A robo-advisor is a computer algorithm that automatically monitors and rebalances an investor’s portfolio according, selling and buying investments according to programmed goals and risk tolerances. Because there is no person involved, robo-advisors cost much less than a personalized investment service.

How Much Does Asset Management Cost?

Asset managers have a variety of fee structures. The most common model charges a percentage of the assets under management, with the industry average at about 1% for up to $1 million, and lower for larger portfolios. Others may charge a fee for each trade they execute. Some may even receive a commission to upsell securities to their clients.

Because these incentives can work against the client’s interests, it is important to know if your management firm has a fiduciary duty to serve the client’s interests. Otherwise, they may recommend investments or trades that do not serve the client’s interests.

How Asset Management Companies Work

Asset management companies compete to serve the investment needs of high-net-worth individuals and institutions.

Accounts held by financial institutions often include check-writing privileges, credit cards, debit cards, margin loans, and brokerage services.

When individuals deposit money into their accounts, it is typically placed into a money market fund that offers a greater return than a regular savings account. Account-holders can choose between Federal Deposit Insurance Company-backed (FDIC) funds and non-FDIC funds.

The added benefit to account holders is all of their banking and investing needs can be met by the same institution.

These types of accounts have only been possible since the passage of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act in 1999, which replaced the Glass-Steagall Act. The Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, passed during the Great Depression, forced a separation between banking and investing services. Now, they have only to maintain a “Chinese wall” between divisions.

Example of an Asset Management Institution

Merrill Lynch offers a Cash Management Account (CMA) to fulfill the needs of clients who wish to pursue banking and investment options with one vehicle, under one roof.

The account gives investors access to a personal financial advisor. This advisor offers advice and a range of investment options that include initial public offerings (IPO) in which Merrill Lynch may participate, as well as foreign currency transactions.

Interest rates for cash deposits are tiered. Deposit accounts can be linked together so that all eligible funds aggregate to receive the appropriate rate. Securities held in the account fall under the protective umbrella of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). SIPC does not shield investor assets from inherent risk but rather protects those assets from the financial failure of the brokerage firm itself.

Along with typical check writing services, the account offers worldwide access to Bank of America automated teller machines (ATM) without transaction fees. Bill payment services, fund transfers, and wire transfers are available. The MyMerrill app allows users to access the account and perform a number of basic functions via a mobile device.

Accounts with more than $250,000 in eligible assets sidestep both the annual $125 fee and the $25 assessment applied to each sub-account held.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Asset management firms provide the service of buying and selling assets on behalf of their clients. There are many types of asset managers, with some working for family offices and wealthy individuals and others working on behalf of major banks and institutional investors.

What Is Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)?

Adjusted gross income (AGI) is the figure that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses to determine your income tax liability for the year. It is calculated by subtracting certain adjustments from gross income, such as business expenses, student loan interest payments, and other expenses. After calculating a taxpayer’s AGI, the next step is to subtract deductions to determine their taxable income.

The IRS also uses other income metrics, such as modified AGI (MAGI), for specific programs and retirement accounts.

Understanding Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)

As prescribed in the United States tax code, AGI is a modification of gross income. Gross income is simply the sum of all the money you earned in a year, which may include wages, dividends, capital gains, interest income, royalties, rental income, alimony, and retirement distributions, before tax or other deductions. AGI makes certain adjustments to your gross income to reach the figure on which your tax liability will be calculated.

Many U.S. states also use the AGI from federal returns to calculate how much individuals owe in state income taxes. States may modify this number further with state-specific deductions and credits.

Common Adjustments

The items subtracted from your gross income to calculate your AGI are referred to as adjustments to income, and you report them on Schedule 1 of your tax return when you file your annual tax return. Some of the most common adjustments are listed here, along with the separate tax forms on which a few of them are calculated:

• Alimony payments (for divorces filed before Jan. 1, 2019)
• Early withdrawal penalties on savings
• Educator expenses
• Employee business expenses for armed forces reservists, qualified performing artists, fee-basis state or local government officials, and employees with impairment-related work expenses (Form 2106)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) deductions (Form 8889)
• Moving expenses for members of the armed forces (Form 3903)
• Self-employed Simplified Employee Pension (SEP), Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers (SIMPLE), and qualified plans
• Self-employed health insurance deduction
• Self-employment tax (the deductible portion)
• Student loan interest deduction

How to Calculate Adjusted Gross Income

If you use software to prepare your tax return, it will calculate your AGI once you input your numbers. If you calculate it yourself, you’ll begin by tallying your reported income for the year. That might include job income, as reported to the IRS by your employer on a W-2 form, plus other income, such as dividends and miscellaneous income, reported on 1099 forms.

Next, you add any taxable income from other sources, such as profit on the sale of a property, unemployment compensation, pensions, Social Security payments, or anything else that hasn’t already been reported to the IRS. Many of these income items are also listed on IRS Schedule 1.

The next step is to subtract the applicable adjustments to the income listed above from your reported income. The resulting figure is your AGI. To determine your taxable income, subtract either the standard deduction or your total itemized deductions from your AGI. In most cases, you can choose whichever gives you the most benefit.

For example, the standard deduction for tax returns for married couples filing jointly was $25,900 in 2022, rising to $27,700 in 2023, so couples whose itemized deductions exceed that amount would generally opt to itemize, while others would take the standard deduction.

The IRS provides a list of itemized deductions and the requirements for claiming them on its website. Your AGI also affects your eligibility for many of the deductions and credits available on your tax return. In general, the lower your AGI, the more significant the number of deductions and credits you will be eligible to claim, and the more you’ll be able to reduce your tax bill.

An Example of AGI Affecting Deductions

Let’s say you had some significant dental expenses during the year that weren’t reimbursed by insurance, and you’ve decided to itemize your deductions. You are allowed to deduct the portion of those expenses that exceed 7.5% of your AGI.

This means that if you report $12,000 in unreimbursed dental expenses and have an AGI of $100,000, you can deduct the amount that exceeds $7,500, which is $4,500. However, if your AGI is $50,000, the 7.5% reduction is just $3,750, and you’d be entitled to deduct a larger amount of that $12,000, in this case $8,250.

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) vs. Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)

In addition to AGI, some tax calculations and government programs call for using what’s known as your modified adjusted gross income, or MAGI. This figure starts with your AGI, then adds back certain items, such as any deductions you take for student loan interest or tuition and fees.

Your MAGI is used to determine how much, if anything, you can contribute to a Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA) in any given year. It is also used to calculate your income if you apply for Marketplace health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Many people with relatively uncomplicated financial lives find that their AGI and MAGI are the same number or very close.

Adjusted Gross Income vs. Gross Income vs. Taxable Income

Your gross income is all of the money you’ve earned in a year that isn’t exempt from taxation. This can be in the form of salary, wages, interest, dividends, capital gains, and so on.

Your adjusted gross income takes that amount and takes out certain qualified expenses and adjustments.

Taxpayers can then take either the standard deduction for their filing status or itemize the deductible expenses they paid during the year. You’re not permitted to both itemize deductions and claim the standard deduction. The result is your taxable income.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Adjusted gross income, or AGI, is your gross income after it has been adjusted for certain qualified deductions that are permitted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These qualified deductions reduce an individual’s gross income, thus reducing the taxable income that they will ultimately have to pay taxes on. You can save money come tax season by lowering your AGI, which will lower your taxable income, in turn. However, many of the adjustments allowed for AGI are specific for particular circumstances that may not apply to everyone.