Why would you not choose a Roth IRA?
One key disadvantage: Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax money, meaning there's no tax deduction in the years you contribute.
The tax argument for contributing to a Roth can easily turn upside down if you happen to be in your peak earning years. If you're now in one of the higher tax brackets, your tax rate in retirement may have nowhere to go but down.
The most significant disadvantage to converting a traditional IRA or SEP to a Roth is that you could have a large tax bill when you complete the conversion.
With a Roth IRA, you contribute after-tax dollars, your money grows tax-free, and you can generally make tax- and penalty-free withdrawals after age 59½. With a Traditional IRA, you contribute pre- or after-tax dollars, your money grows tax-deferred, and withdrawals are taxed as current income after age 59½.
Roth IRAs are not 100% safe, but they offer the potential for growth over time. Market fluctuations and early withdrawal penalties can cause a Roth IRA to lose money. Investing late or contributing too much can also result in potential losses.
High earners who exceed annual income limits set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can't make direct contributions to a Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA). The good news is that there's a loophole to get around the limit and reap the tax benefits that Roth IRAs offer.
The Roth IRA five-year rule says you cannot withdraw earnings tax-free until it's been at least five years since you first contributed to a Roth IRA account. This five-year rule applies to everyone who contributes to a Roth IRA, whether they're 59 ½ or 105 years old.
Since a Roth conversion increases taxable income in the conversion year, drawbacks can include a higher tax bracket, more taxes on Social Security benefits, higher Medicare premiums, and lower college financial aid.
A Roth IRA can be a good savings option for those who expect to be in a higher tax bracket in the future, making tax-free withdrawals even more advantageous. However, there are income limitations to opening a Roth IRA, so not everyone will be eligible for this type of retirement account.
A general guideline is that if you think your tax bracket will be higher when you retire than it is today, you may want to consider a Roth IRA—especially if you're younger and have yet to reach your peak earning years.
Why is traditional IRA better than Roth?
Contributions to traditional IRAs are tax-deductible, but withdrawals in retirement are taxable as income. In comparison, contributions to Roth IRAs are not tax-deductible, but the withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.
| 2023 and 2024 Roth IRA Income and Contribution Limits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Filing Status | MAGI 2023 | Contribution Limit 2023 |
| More than $228,000 | Ineligible for direct Roth IRA | |
| Married Filing Separately | ||
| Less than $10,000 | Phase out range | |
The Bottom Line. In a 401(k) vs. Roth IRA matchup, a Roth IRA can be a better choice than a 401(k) retirement plan, as it typically offers more investment options and greater tax benefits. It may be especially useful if you think you'll be in a higher tax bracket later on.
The Roth IRA annual contribution limit is $7,000 in 2024 ($8,000 if age 50 or older). If you open a Roth IRA and fund it with $7,000 each year for 10 years, and your investments earn 6% annually, you may end up with more than $92,000 by the end of the decade.
There's a lot to like about Roth IRAs, including tax-free withdrawals in retirement. But the accounts do have some cons, such as no upfront tax break, and income limits for contributing. Tax Specialist | Personal finance reporter for 16+ years, including work for the Wall Street Journal and MarketWatch.
The Internal Revenue Service does not permit you to deduct losses from your Roth IRA on a year-to-year basis, so the only way to deduct your losses is to close your Roth IRA accounts.
There is no age limit to open a Roth IRA, but there are income and contribution limits that investors should be aware of before funding one.
- Contributions aren't tax-deductible. ...
- Limits based on income. ...
- Earnings withdrawal restrictions. ...
- Some retirees might not benefit.
However, not everyone is eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA. In 2023, single filers with adjusted gross incomes (MAGIs) of $153,000 or more cannot contribute to a Roth IRA, while those who are married and file jointly become ineligible once their MAGI reaches $228,000.
Roth IRA annual contribution limits. The Roth IRA annual contribution limit is the maximum amount of you can add to the account each year. The 2024 IRA contribution limit is $7,000 in 2024 ($8,000 if age 50 or older). You can contribute to a Roth IRA for the previous year until the tax-filing deadline.
How much is too much for a Roth?
The income limits on Roth contributions increased for 2024, which means savers with income at or below $161,000 ($240,000 for married couples filing jointly) can contribute to a Roth IRA.
Before making a Roth IRA withdrawal, keep in mind the following rules to avoid a potential 10% early withdrawal penalty: Withdrawals must be taken after age 59½. Withdrawals must be taken after a five-year holding period.
1. Money can grow tax-free; withdrawals are tax-free too. You contribute money that has already been taxed (after-tax dollars) to a Roth IRA. There's no tax deduction as there can be with a traditional IRA.
Contributions: Money you added into the Roth IRA can be withdrawn at any time without taxes or penalties. That's because you already paid taxes on the money used to fund the account. Earnings: Investment gains that grow in the account can be subject to tax.
Contributions to a Roth IRA aren't deductible (and you don't report the contributions on your tax return), but qualified distributions or distributions that are a return of contributions aren't subject to tax. To be a Roth IRA, the account or annuity must be designated as a Roth IRA when it's set up.
