Tax efficient strategies

How can trusted guidance reduce taxes and increase retirement income?

2025 key financial numbers

There's smart, then there's tax-smart

Traditional sources of retirement income—like Social Security, workplace retirement plans (such as 401(k)403(b)457(b) plans), IRAs, annuities and pensions—are essential. Yet you can see the impact of taxes on them when you retire. An effective asset location strategy also incorporates tax-free investments like Roth IRAs and COIL Institutional Series® variable universal life insurance to help reduce taxes while you’re saving and when you take income in retirement.

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Latest insights

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act

On July 4,2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) became law, extending key elements of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and updating tax incentives and federal program funding.

Learn more about essential insights and planning strategies for financial professionals navigating recent changes.

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Asset Location: A new lever in strategic retirement income planning

The right balance of tax-deferred investments like workplace retirement plans (such as 401(k)403(b)457(b) plans), and annuities, plus tax-free investments like a Roth IRA and COIL Institutional Series® variable universal life insurance can efficiently deliver tax-smart retirement income.

Wherever you are in your financial journey… start the retirement conversation

Explore valuable information from Equitable and other thought leaders on asset location tax-strategies—and how you can keep more of what you earn in retirement by reducing taxes.

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Starting out and taking control

Tax strategy considerations for clients who are just beginning a career, starting a family or learning to manage debt and want to be tax savvy. Plan today for tomorrow.

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Building and balancing

Tax-smart asset location strategies for clients balancing career achievement with a growing family, using more complex investments.

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Envisioning the future of retirement

Tax strategies for those who can see retirement on their horizon. Establish a tax-smart retirement strategy to help begin to thinking through the transition from saving to spending.

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Living in retirement

Asset location strategies for clients in retirement who want to be smarter about taking income, are concerned about healthcare and want to transfer wealth in a tax efficient manner.

Tools and resources

Explore valuable information from Equitable and other thought leaders on asset location tax-strategies—and how you can keep more of what you earn by reducing taxes.

Comprehensive strategies to help you create tax-efficient retirement plans

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Individual retirement planning strategies

Retirement planning helps your clients make the most of what they have so they can reach financial freedom. Our variable annuities offer innovative growth opportunities and income protection options to help you put your clients on the road to financial freedom.

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Workplace retirement plans

Workplace retirement plans can be a smart and effective way for independent women to build wealth now so they have the income they need in retirement. We offer innovative 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) and 401(a) options for group retirement planning.

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Women and investing 403(b) 

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Life insurance

Life insurance can be a smart addition to financial planning for women, and can give women the flexibility to supplement their retirement income, pay long-term care costs and leave a legacy for loved ones.

Want to learn more about tax strategies or how Equitable can help grow your business?

Contact us today

(855) 433-4016

For financial professionals only. If you are an individual investor, please contact your financial professional for more information. 

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Please be advised that this webpage is not intended as legal or tax advice. Accordingly, any tax information provided is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The tax information was written to support the promotion or marketing of the transaction(s) or matter(s) addressed and your clients should seek advice based on their own particular circumstance from an independent tax advisor.

A variable universal life insurance contract is a contract with the primary purpose of providing a death benefit. It is also a long term financial investment that can also allow potential accumulation of assets through customized, professionally managed investment portfolios. These portfolios are closely managed in order to satisfy stated investment objectives. There are fees and charges associated with variable life insurance contracts including mortality and risk charges, front end loads, administrative fees, investment management fees, surrender charges and charges for optional riders.

Fees and charges associated with variable life insurance including a front end load, mortality and expense risk charges, cost of insurance charges, surrender charges, administrative fees, investment management fees and charges for optional benefits. Contact a financial professional for costs and complete details of coverage.

Under current federal tax rules, clients may access their cash value by taking federal income tax-free loans or withdrawals from a life insurance policy that is not a Modified Endowment Contract (MEC) of up to their basis (total premiums paid) in the policy. Certain exceptions may apply for partial withdrawals during the policy’s first 15 years. If the policy is a MEC, all withdrawals or loans are taxed as ordinary income to the extent of gain in the policy and may also be subject to an additional 10% premature distribution penalty if taken prior to age 59, unless certain exceptions apply. Loans and partial withdrawals will decrease the death benefit and cash value of the life insurance policy and may be subject to policy limitations and income tax. In addition, loans and partial withdrawals may cause the policy benefits and riders to become unavailable and may increase the chance the policy may lapse. If the policy lapses, is surrendered or becomes a MEC, the loan balance at the time would generally be viewed as a distribution and therefore taxable under the general rules for distribution of policy cash values.

Life insurance products are issued by Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (NY, NY) or Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America and co-distributed by affiliates Equitable Network, LLC (Equitable Network Insurance Agency of California in CA; Equitable Network Insurance Agency of Utah in UT; Equitable Network of Puerto Rico, Inc. in PR) and Equitable Distributors, LLC. Variable life insurance products are co-distributed by Equitable Advisors, (member FINRASIPC) (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI and TN) and Equitable Distributors, LLC. When sold by New York state based (i.e., domiciled) Equitable Advisors financial professionals, life insurance products are issued by Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (NY, NY). All companies are affiliated and directly or indirectly owned by Equitable Holdings, Inc., and do not provide tax or legal advice. Variable annuities are long-term financial products designed for retirement purposes.

Variable annuities are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal invested, and they have mortality and expense charges, account fees, investment management fees, administrative fees, charges for special contract features, and restrictions and limitations. Earnings are taxable as ordinary income when distributed and may be subject to a 10% additional tax if withdrawn before age 59 ½. Optional benefits are available for an extra charge in addition to the ongoing fees and expenses of the variable annuity.

Withdrawals from annuities are subject to normal income tax treatment and if taken prior to age 59, may be subject to an additional 10% federal income tax penalty. Withdrawals may also be subject to a contractual withdrawal charge. Annuities contain certain limitations and restrictions. For costs and complete details contact a financial professional. Please be advised that this webpage is not intended as legal or tax advice. Accordingly, any tax information provided in this guide for producers is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The tax information was written to support the promotion or marketing of the transaction(s) or matter(s) addressed, and clients should seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

Variable life insurance and variable annuities are sold via prospectus. Please consider the charges, risk, expenses, and investment objectives carefully before purchasing a variable life insurance policy or a variable annuity. For a prospectus containing this and other information, please contact a financial professional. Read it carefully before investing or sending money.

Equitable Financial, Equitable America, Equitable Advisors and Equitable Distributors are subsidiaries of Equitable Financial Services, LLC and Equitable Holdings, and do not provide tax or legal advice. Certain types of policies, features and benefits may not be available in all jurisdictions or may be different.

Equitable is the brand name of the retirement and protection subsidiaries of Equitable Holdings, Inc., including Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (NY, NY); Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America, an AZ stock company; and Equitable Distributors, LLC. Equitable Advisors is the brand name of Equitable Advisors, LLC (member FINRASIPC) (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI & TN).

Variable annuities are issued by Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial), NY,NY or by Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America (Equitable America), an AZ stock company with an administrative office in Charlotte, NC and co-distributed by affiliates, Equitable Distributors, LLC and Equitable Advisors, LLC (member FINRASIPC) (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI & TN). Equitable Financial, Equitable America, Equitable Advisors and Equitable Distributors do not provide tax or legal advice.

Amounts in the COIL Institutional Series® account value are invested in a variety of investment portfolios, and these amounts are subject to fluctuation in value and market risk, including loss of principal. Life insurance policies have exclusions, limitations and terms for keeping them inforce. Fees and charges associated with life insurance include mortality and expense risk charges, cost of insurance, administrative fees, investment management fees and charges for optional benefits.

COIL Institutional Series® Insurance is sold by prospectus only. The prospectuses for COIL Institutional Series® Insurance contains more complete information about the policy, including investment objectives, risks, investment management fees, charges, expenses, limitations and restrictions. You and your clients should read the prospectuses and consider the information carefully before purchasing a policy or sending money. Please go to the links above for copies of the current prospectuses.

A variable annuity is a long-term financial product subject to market risk. Charges, fees, restrictions, and limitations apply. With partial downside protection, the client absorbs all losses exceeding the protection provided. Clients should consider their investment objectives and the charges, risks, and expenses, as stipulated in the prospectus, before investing. For a prospectus containing this and other information, a financial professional can call the Sales Desk at (888) 517-9900. Clients should read it carefully before investing or sending money.

Issuers: Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (NY, NY) and Equitable Financial Life Insurance of America (Equitable America), an AZ stock company, Charlotte, NC. Distributor: Equitable Distributors, LLC. Guarantees backed by each issuer's claims-paying abilities.

©2025 Equitable Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

GE-5414871.3 (12/2024) (Exp. 12/2028)

Contact us today

(855) 433-4016

Financial professional use only.