FAQ

What is a Roth IRA?
A Roth IRA is an individual retirement account that offers tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals in retirement. Unlike traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax dollars; the contributions are not tax-deductible. However, once you start withdrawing funds, the money is tax-free.

How do the calculations work?
The future value of your Roth IRA is calculated using your starting balance, annual contributions, your age, retirement age, and the expected rate of return. The formula also accounts for compounding, which is the process of generating earnings on an asset's reinvested earnings. To calculate a Roth IRA's future value:

• First, annual contributions are added to the starting balance.
• Then, the total is multiplied by (1 + rate of return) to account for annual growth.
• This process repeats each year until retirement.

For taxable accounts, the calculation adjusts for taxes applied on the growth portion of the investment annually.

What are the income limits for contributing to a Roth IRA?
The ability to contribute to a Roth IRA is subject to income limits that change annually. If your income exceeds a certain amount, you may be partially or completely phased out from contributing to a Roth IRA directly. These limits vary depending on your filing status (e.g., single, married filing jointly). It's important to check the current year's income limits to see if you're eligible.

Can you withdraw from a Roth IRA without penalties?
With a Roth IRA, you can withdraw your contributions (not earnings) at any time without taxes or penalties because you've already paid taxes on that money. However, withdrawing earnings before age 59½ and before the account has been open for five years may result in taxes and penalties unless an exception applies. Certain circumstances, such as buying your first home or covering education expenses, may qualify for penalty-free withdrawals.

How does a Roth IRA compare to a 401(k)?
Both Roth IRAs and 401(k)s are retirement accounts, but there are key differences. A 401(k) is employer-sponsored, and contributions are often made pre-tax, reducing your taxable income for the year. In contrast, contributions to a Roth IRA are made with after-tax dollars. Roth IRAs offer tax-free growth and withdrawals, providing a tax advantage in retirement. Some employers also offer a Roth 401(k) option, combining features of both.

What investments can you hold in a Roth IRA?
Roth IRAs can hold a wide variety of investment types, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds), and CDs (Certificates of Deposit). The flexibility to choose among diverse investments allows Roth IRA account holders to tailor their investment strategy to their risk tolerance and financial goals.

What happens to my Roth IRA once I reach retirement age?
One of the unique features of a Roth IRA, compared to other retirement accounts, is that there are no Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) during the account holder's lifetime. This means you're not required to start withdrawing at any specific age, allowing your investments to continue growing tax-free as long as you live. After the account holder's death, beneficiaries must take RMDs, but the distributions typically remain tax-free.