When it comes time for you to take a required distribution from an IRA account, you don't have to sell off stocks or shares in mutual funds just because you're 70½ .

All Uncle Sam wants is for you to pay taxes on the required distribution. So if your IRA is at a financial securities firm, merely tell your broker to shift the stock or fund shares to a taxable account.

Just be sure that you don't trigger any tax penalties. To avoid the problem, make sure the shares transferred are valued at equal or a little more than the required distribution. The value will be calculated on the day you transfer the shares.

If you love the shares you own, there's absolutely no need for you to say goodbye to a good investment.

Finally, good news from the tax man. Reaching the milestone of 70½ doesn't mean an end to investing.