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The Basics
An IRA is an Individual Retirement Account that allows individuals to save their money and invest for retirement in a tax-advantaged way.
Traditional IRA: You contribute pre-tax dollars, which allows your money to grow tax-deferred.
Roth IRA: You contribute after-tax dollars, which allows your money to grow tax-free.
Contributions
Traditional IRA: The contributions to your Traditional IRA generally come from pre-tax dollars, and this is available for anyone with earned income. Contribution deductibility may be based on your income.
Roth IRA: The contributions to your Roth IRA come from after-tax dollars, and this is available for those with earned income below a certain level.
Max Contribution
The max contribution for both Traditional and Roth IRAs for 2021 is $6,000, or $7,000 if you’re over the age of 50.
Taxes
Traditional IRA: Traditional IRAs allow your contributions to grow tax deferred. Traditional IRAs are tax-deductible if you qualify.
Roth IRA: Roth IRAs allow your contributions to grow tax-free. Roth IRAs are not tax-deductible.
Withdrawals
Traditional IRA: Once you turn age 59 ½, you can withdrawal any amount from your IRA without having to pay an IRS 10% penalty.
Roth IRA: You can withdraw contributions you’ve made to your Roth IRA anytime, tax- and penalty-free. However, the penalties may still apply if you withdraw earnings in your Roth IRA.
Which Is Best for You
Traditional IRA: This is your best option if you want to lower your taxable income now and expect to be in the same or lower tax bracket when you start taking withdrawals.
Roth IRA: This is your best option if you don’t need an immediate tax deduction and expect to be in a higher tax bracket when you start taking withdrawals.
We hope this has helped you become more familiar with IRAs, but if you still have questions, we’re here to provide the answers. Contact us or visit our website to learn more.