Retired clergy may choose to complete a Housing Allowance Distribution Form rather than the other Empower withdrawal forms, to have taxes suppressed (not withheld) and to receive a form 1099-R that states "taxable amount not determined."
That form is available by clicking here:
Housing Allowance Distribution Form (version to print and complete by hand).
Housing Allowance Distribution Form – fillable (version to complete on your computer)
Note about RMDs: If you wish to request a housing allowance RMD payment and have Empower calculate the RMD amount, you can complete the RMD form and select the YES box for housing allowance. Call Empower to complete this over the phone or have them send you the RMD form (833-882-2023). See instructions on Completing the RMD Form for Housing Allowance.
On the Housing Allowance Withdrawal form:
To request no federal and no state taxes to be withheld for periodic installment payments, please complete part F by checking the boxes circled below.
If you do want withholding, you will need to fill out the W-4P or W-4R to specify withholding amount(s).
Form W-4P (for periodic payments)
Form W-4R (for one time payments)
Some states require a form to not have taxes withheld. Here is a list of these states:
Submitting the Paperwork
After completing the forms, you can upload or mail to Empower (see part G on the Housing Allowance form). If you cannot upload the forms, another option is to fax them to Empower at: (866) 633-5212.
To upload, log in to your Empower account, and in the box on the right, click on Upload a document:
Or, if you are on the Accounts screen, you can click on Upload documents on the left: