The Ins and Outs of an IRA (Individual Retirement Account)

 
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by S. Wade Hansen

 

An IRA (individual retirement account), as the name suggests, is a retirement account for individuals that allows you to boost your retirement savings by investing pre-tax dollars.

 

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Many individual investors don't have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, like a 401(k). However, these individuals need to be planning and saving for retirement too. And since Congress didn't want to play favorites with only those investors who work for companies that offer retirement plans, it created IRAs. An IRA offers most of the perks and benefits you will find in a 401(k) plan, but it gives you the ability to manage your investments on your own.


IRA Basics

 

IRAs are defined by a few basic features. Once you understand these basic concepts, the rest is just details. Here are the important points you need to remember:

 

- You don't pay taxes on the money you put into your IRA

- Your investments grow tax-deferred inside your IRA

- You pay taxes when you take your money out of your IRA at retirement

 

IRA Details

 

The following table outlines the specific details that make an IRA unique.

 

Plan Components Specifications

Tax Treatment (Contributions)

Pre-Tax Contributions

Tax Treatment (Withdrawals)

Ordinary Income

Contribution Limits (per year)

$5,000

Catch-Up contributions (50 years old or more)

$1,000

Employer Contributions

N/A

Contribution Deadline

April 15 of the following year

Early Withdrawal Penalty

10% Penalty

Withdrawal Eligibility Age

59 1/2

Minimum Required Distribution Age

70 1/2

Minimum Required Distribution

Based on Age and Account Size

Rollover Options

Rollover IRA

Loans from Your IRA

Not Available

Investment Choices

Depends on Your Broker

 

More on Investment Accounts

 

- 401(k) Retirement Accounts

- Roth IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts)

- Taxable Accounts

- Tax Deferral

 

More...

 


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