Which Type of IRA is Best For You?
IRAs provide tax benefits that make them an excellent way to save for retirement, yet which type is right for you?
Traditional IRAs utilize pre-tax dollars that grow tax-deferred until retirement is reached; they also impose income restrictions and require minimum distributions; in comparison, Roth IRAs use after-tax dollars that grow tax free within their account but may have different restrictions and require minimum distributions.
Traditional IRA
Traditional IRAs allow you to benefit from tax breaks for contributions, which grow tax-deferred until retirement when it can be taken out tax-free. With such an account, you have access to more investments than possible with workplace plans while tax payments in retirement are lower compared with taxable accounts.
Your traditional IRA options include banks, brokerage firms and investment companies that offer low fees and an extensive range of investments. Automated robo-advisors may be another viable way to manage your account in an economical and user-friendly way.
No matter the type of IRA you select, make sure that you contribute early each year in order to maximize the investment returns. Saving earlier means more savings will compound without being taxed; this is particularly advantageous if your tax bracket will change significantly by retirement time.
Roth IRA
An IRA can help you save more for retirement and invest more effectively. If your income exceeds the threshold limit, a Roth account might be the better choice as withdrawals and earnings are tax-free.
With a traditional IRA, contributions are tax-deductible while withdrawals in retirement will incur taxes; to maximize tax savings when making contributions and minimize taxes upon withdrawal. It may be advantageous to contribute while your tax burden is still lower – it could help offset future withdrawal taxes!
Roth IRAs may be the right choice for investors who anticipate rising tax rates in the future, as withdrawals are tax-free provided you’ve held it at least five years and reached age 59 1/2 or later. You may even withdraw earnings tax-free in certain approved situations such as buying your first home or starting their own small business; check tax rules for more information.
Self-Directed IRA
Self-directed IRAs allow investors to take control of their retirement account. They offer greater flexibility, allowing investors to invest in nontraditional assets such as real estate, private placements or precious metals.
Self-directed IRA investors may also avoid fees typically charged to standard brokerage or robo-advisor accounts, although it’s important to remember that these assets tend to be less liquid than stocks, bonds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), making it harder to sell when needed.
If you are considering opening a self-directed IRA to hold alternative assets, make sure that the custodian you work with has experience holding these types of investments – otherwise you risk overspending on these assets or becoming vulnerable to fraud. Some experienced providers include The Entrust Group, Equity Trust and Pacific Premier Trust Company – or alternatively there’s always Betterment which asks questions about your investing goals before creating a portfolio just for you.
Brokerage Account
Brokerage accounts, also known as taxable investment accounts, provide tax-deferred investment growth with potential for significant investment gains. They differ from retirement accounts in that the income from these investments is subject to capital gains taxes.
Fidelity offers a traditional IRA with low fees and commission-free options for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and other investments such as ETNs. Their robo-advisor Betterment charges 0.25 percent to manage an entire portfolio with features such as tax loss harvesting and auto rebalancing capabilities.
One option is to open a taxable brokerage account with Schwab, known for their investor-friendly approach and range of options including low fee commission-free trades on stocks, ETFs and options; robust research capability; Schwab Intelligent Portfolios lets you have your IRA managed for an affordable monthly management fee or $25,000 of premium service with access to financial advisors; among many others.
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