The Impact of Coronavirus Related Distributions (CRDs) on Retirement Readiness

The CARES Act includes a provision to allow Coronavirus Related Distributions (CRDs) of up to $100,000. This can have a significant impact on the retirement readiness of a participant.

To illustrate, consider a participant who makes $50,000 a year, and has been diligently saving 5% of their income since age 22. The chart below shows the effect of a maximum CRD, depending on the participant’s current age.

CRD Retirement Readiness

  • The 32-year-old takes the entirety of their balance, about $40,000, and has about $420,000 less at age 67.
  • The 42-year-old also takes the full $100,000, leaving about $12,000 in their account. They’ll have $540,000 less at age 67.
  • The 52-year-old takes the full $100,000, leaving about $150,000 in their account. They’ll have about $275,000 less at age 67.

The CRDs can be paid back to the plan over three years, but prior experience warns us that very few individuals are likely to pay back the CRD. Assuming the participants pay back the total distribution, there are still financial repercussions. At age 67:

  • The 32-year-old would have $47,000 less
  • The 42-year-old would have $73,000 less
  • The 52-year-old would have $40,000 less

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