Traditional IRA – Save for Retirement

September 15th, 2009 by David No comments »

Individual retirement accounts started gaining popularity in the 1970s.  There are two popular kinds of IRAs, one of which is a traditional retirement account.  With this kind of account, contributions you make to it are usually tax deductible depending on your income, tax-filing status and a few other factors.  As you make deposits, your money will continue to grow while you benefit from certain tax advantages like an income tax break.  However, be aware that you pay taxes on any withdrawal of funds.  One could then argue that utilizing the current tax benefits of a traditional IRA is not a way to eliminate taxes, simply postpone them.

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Roth IRA – Why This Could be the Best Choice for You

September 9th, 2009 by David No comments »

Opening a Roth individual retirement account, or IRA, could see an increase in popularity, experts suggest, because of the current economic environment.  Right now, income tax rates are rising, and it is because of this fact that makes a Roth IRA the top pick among many investors planning for a successful retirement.  When examining the benefits of a Roth retirement account, consider the income tax benefits at retirement, the idea that you can leave more for your posterity and that there are many estate planning advantages.

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Roth IRA to be more accessible, but may not be best for all

September 4th, 2009 by David No comments »

While the law allows investors to convert a traditional IRA to a Roth, the income cut-off for that is even lower: $100,000, for single and married couples who file jointly.

Soon, though, these barriers to a Roth IRA will crumble.

Starting in 2010, the income limit on Roth conversions will disappear, providing a backdoor way for anyone who has an IRA to own a Roth.

Brokers and financial planners are eagerly informing their clients of this opportunity to shelter their retirement savings from taxes.

Many are advising their clients to put money in a non-deductible IRA now so they can convert it next year.

But converting isn’t for everyone. Reasons you shouldn’t convert your IRA to a Roth:

Continue reading this news article…

Roth IRA – Understanding Restrictions

September 4th, 2009 by David No comments »

As with any retirement or investment plan, it is essential to understand the restrictions and regulations that cover it in order to make the most use out of it.  If you are looking into investing in a Roth individual retirement account, or IRA, you must be aware that there are restrictions.  It would be dishonest to say that it is far better than any other choice because there is give and take with any retirement plan.  To determine if a Roth IRA is the right plan for you, understanding the rules will help you reach an informed decision.

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Roth IRA or Traditional IRA, Which one is better?

August 18th, 2009 by David 2 comments »

Choosing the right type of IRA account may be a daunting task, so if you are wondering what type of IRA is better for you (Roth or Traditional) you may want to consider the following factors:

Tax benefits

Without any doubts, one of the most important factors when deciding between a Roth IRA and Traditional IRA is that you can deduct your Traditional IRA contributions as a tax break for the current year of your contribution. Tax deductible contributions may not apply to you if you participate in a retirement plan at work.

Roth IRA contributions may be deducted tax free at any time, since they have already been taxed.

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What is a Roth IRA?

April 12th, 2009 by David No comments »

The Roth IRA was created by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 and it was implemented on January 1st 1998. A Roth IRA is an individual retirement arrangement that allows tax free growth. Roth IRAs greatly differ from traditional IRAs.

One of the most obvious benefits of having a Roth IRA account is that all earnings are tax free when you or your beneficiary withdrawals them. One of the other benefits is that you can avoid the early distribution penalty on some withdrawals, like buying a house for the first time (after you had your Roth IRA account for at least 5 years). » Read more: What is a Roth IRA?