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Dr. Anne Duke, a University of North Georgia (ÌìÃÀÉçÇø) associate professor of accounting, has published a scholarly article on elective withdrawals from tax-deferred qualified retirement plans.

Duke's article in the Journal of Financial Planning is "Why Clients Might (or Might Not!) Want to Raid Qualified Plans." Her research highlights the pros and cons of pulling out smaller distributions over time to avoid a potentially larger tax bill later. The subject is pertinent at this time because two significant pieces of U.S. legislation in 2017 and 2019 impacted the future of retirement distributions.

She recommends in the article that every individual or family should have a financial planner, estate planner and tax professional working together on decision-making.

"Many individuals and families have worked hard and sacrificed throughout their lives to save for the future," Duke said. "Maybe their goal is to pay for future medical expenses, leave an inheritance or give to charity. Financial professionals should work together to help families achieve their goals."

Duke has worked at the university since 2004. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and an active member of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Duke can be reached at anne.duke@ung.edu.