If you are planning for your retirement or dealing with paying required minimum distributions, you will want to avoid or minimize the tax time bombs inherent in pre-tax retirement plans. The government and major financial service providers set up a system that benefits them, rather than benefiting the public over the long term. So, prepare to sharpen you pencils and learn about strategies to minimize the harmful effects of paying taxes on these retirement distributions as you transition into and experience the distribution phase of using your retirement funds.