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What is an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)?

An IRA is a tax-efficient investment account that you can use to save for your retirement. Technically, IRA stands for Individual Retirement Arrangement, but the “A” in the acronym is colloquially referred to as an account.

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IRAs are particularly valuable tools for the 33 percent of private sector workers in the United States who do not have access to a workplace retirement plan. Too often, the absence of a 401 (k) from an employer means people aren’t saving for retirement, but IRAs offer all workers a convenient way to prepare for their golden years.

It’s important to note that IRAs can also be ideal for the 67% of people who have access to a workplace-based plan. If you’re maximizing your contributions to it, or just want another option with more control over your investment, an IRA can have an even bigger benefit – saving more money for retirement.

How IRAs Work

Using an IRA versus a regular taxable retirement brokerage account looks like the difference between speeding up the EZ Pass lane on the freeway or stopping at the toll booth every 20 miles: you’re going to get to where you want to go a little faster without having to stop at the tax toll every year like you would with a regular brokerage account.

When you open an IRA, you are paying funds that can then be invested in a wide variety of assets – CDs, stocks, bonds, and other investments. You are not limited to a menu of investments as you often are in a 401 (k). If you are familiar with the intricacies of the financial world, it means that you can take full control over the selection of these investments. If you don’t feel comfortably equipped to run your IRA, it’s wise to browse robo-advisers or choose a target retirement fund. These are inexpensive ways to achieve large-scale diversification suited to your time horizon and risk tolerance.

No matter when you hope to retire, today’s asset allocation – the way you allocate your money between stocks, bonds, and other investments – is absolutely critical to tomorrow’s income. In fact, some studies have shown that asset allocation determines up to 90% of an investor’s total return. IRAs also offer flexibility in adjusting these investments. You can get in and out of them – for example, transferring your money from individual stocks to bonds – without incurring capital gains taxes.

Although you can move the money freely, you cannot withdraw it sooner. An IRA is designed for retirement, meaning that withdrawals before the age of 59 and a half will result in both taxes and a hefty 10 percent penalty – unless you use the money for cash. special exceptions such as buying your first home or paying for education.

Types of ARI

Video: Here’s How To Decide If A Roth Or A Traditional IRA Will Save You More Money (CNBC)

Here’s how to decide if a Roth or a traditional IRA will save you more money

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IRAs are available in two flavors: Traditional and Roth. There are two basic differences between them: when you want to receive tax benefits and when you need to withdraw funds.

Traditional IRA

With a traditional IRA, you might be eligible for a tax deduction in the year you make the contribution. When you withdraw the funds, you will pay taxes. Once you are 72, you need to start making withdrawals.

Roth IRA

A Roth IRA does not offer the instant gratification of immediate tax relief. Instead, you’ll pay taxes on your income now, pay it to a Roth IRA, and withdraw it – along with the income – tax-free when you retire. However, it is not necessary to make withdrawals from a Roth IRA.

When comparing traditional and Roth IRAs, it’s quite common to think of current tax status versus your tax status in retirement assuming you will be in a lower tax bracket when you are no longer working.

However, I recommend avoiding this debate. Why? Because it’s very difficult to predict your tax bracket 30 years from now. Instead, look at it from the perspective of diversifying your tax exposure and giving that money even more time to grow and compose without the headwind of taxes.

How to open an IRA

To open an IRA, you or your spouse must have earned working income. You can open an IRA in a wide variety of places, including brokerage firms, mutual fund companies, banks, and credit unions. Pay attention to management fees, commissions and minimum opening requirements to make sure you find a good deal.

And in addition to the basic terms of each IRA, compare educational resources if you plan to be in the driver’s seat of investment decisions. Some companies offer robust tools to help understand the market and make wise choices.

IRA contribution limits

The government places limits on the amount you can contribute to all of your IRA accounts, which change every few years based on inflation. If you are under 50, your contributions are capped at $ 6,000 in 2021. If you are over 50, your limit increases to $ 7,000.

Before you think about how to maximize your IRA contributions, you need to make sure that your annual income is within the government threshold. Your ability to deduct begins to decrease as your income increases. Limits vary depending on your filing status, so check the updated IRS guidelines to verify your eligibility.

Compare IRA options

The most affordable options for IRAs can be found at no-charge mutual fund companies, online brokerage houses, and robo-advisers. Before you compare where to open one, you need to determine what type of IRA is best suited to your needs. Also keep in mind that the decision between a Traditional and Roth IRA is not an all-or-nothing choice. You can have both – you’ll just want to make sure your annual contributions don’t go over the limits.