How Do I Deposit Money Into My IRA?
One straightforward approach to starting is setting up automatic paycheck contributions through your bank. All it takes to set this service up is accessing its routing number and account number.
Avoid withdrawing funds from an IRA before age 55 (or 59 1/2), unless it’s necessary for required minimum distributions (RMDs), otherwise you could face a 10% early-withdrawal penalty.
1. Direct Deposit
Direct deposit allows your paycheck or other payments to be securely deposited electronically into your account, eliminating paper checks and decreasing risk for ID theft and mail fraud. Furthermore, setting up regular savings deposits becomes much simpler.
Your employer or payer should provide you with a form that includes almost all the information needed for direct deposit (except account numbers). They may also request a void check as verification that the bank account number provided is correct, as well as proof that you authorize its deposit into it.
As part of your exit strategy from an employer, when switching jobs you have the option of moving your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) assets over to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). When doing so it’s often wiser to roll over balances instead of cashing them out as this could trigger mandatory tax withholding and other complications.
2. Paper Check
If you have a traditional, SEP or SIMPLE IRA from your employer-sponsored retirement account, or another employer-sponsored account that accepts contributions via paper check, contributions can be sent in by sending in paper checks for deposit. Some companies accept payments using an Automated Clearing House method that converts paper checks to electronic withdrawals from your checking account.
While this can be convenient, be mindful that additional bank fees could arise. Furthermore, this method makes managing withdrawals difficult due to timing issues.
Leave your savings with your former employer can expose you to mandatory withholding taxes that can quickly add up. To prevent this problem from arising, transfer them into an IRA instead. This will give you greater control of your savings plan; just be sure that any rollovers are discussed with your FitBUX Coach first!
3. Online Banking
Use online banking as a convenient means of depositing funds into your IRA account. Transferring the money directly into either your IRA savings account or rolling it over into an IRA certificate of deposit (CD) which offers higher interest rates than standard savings accounts is easy and quick.
As opposed to traditional savings accounts, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) allow your money to grow tax-deferred until you withdraw it during retirement. Therefore, it’s essential that you create a plan and set aside money regularly in order to meet your retirement goals.
As it happens, there are various ways of saving for retirement. Banks offer savings accounts and CDs that are insured up to their legal limits for your security; online brokerages allow you to link your bank account and deposit via ACH; make sure you include both your routing number and account number from statements or checks when linking. You may also need to accept their terms and conditions before investing.
4. Phone Banking
IRAs provide flexibility when saving for retirement, but it’s important to be familiar with their rules when using one.
Betterment offers traditional and ROTH IRAs to its users, and by following this link you can open one yourself online. Once opened you can then make regular deposits (We recommend Dollar Cost Averaging for best results) or transfer an existing IRA.
Tip: When transferring money between IRAs, it is critical to specify that any checks should be made out to your new IRA’s custodian rather than you personally – this process, known as direct rollover, helps avoid tax withholding and IRS penalties.
IRAs allow you to avoid some of the drawbacks of 401(k) plans, such as limited investment options and mandatory withdrawal at age 5912. Furthermore, your investments can be tailored more closely to meet your personal financial goals, plus they may even bring tax advantages.
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