Distributions from Roth IRAs must follow a specific set of ordering rules so that the taxation (or non-taxation) is correct.
roth ira contributions
Comparing a Roth IRA and Roth 401(k)
There can be confusion when it comes to the Roth name before retirement planning vehicles. This is an attempt to explain the difference between two very common retirement plans with Roth options – the Roth IRA and the Roth 401(k). Let’s start with the “Roth” part. Named after the senator that first introduced the legislation, having Roth in front of IRA or 401(k) means that contributions into the plan are made with after-tax dollars (money that’s already be subject to income taxation). When the account owner reaches a specific age (typically age 59.5) any distributions, including earnings (growth) are tax free. Roth IRAs allow annual contributions based on earned income (W2 or self-employed income) up to $6,000 or $7,000 annually (if over age 50). Roth IRAs also allow access to your contributions at any time without penalty, and do not have required minimum distributions at age 72. Finally, you can […]
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Traditional or Roth IRA?
If you’re thinking on starting and contributing to an IRA, you may be wondering which IRA is right for you. Generally, an individual has two IRAs to choose from – the traditional IRA and Roth IRA. This post provides some guidelines and information to help you make your decision. In some cases, based on your income, the decision is already made. In all cases, to contribute to an IRA an individual must have earned income. This is generally W2 wages, Schedule C income, and even alimony received. Let’s start with the traditional IRA. For 2016, the maximum annual contribution amounts is $5,500 for individuals under age 50 and those 50 and over are allowed an additional $1,000 catch-up for a total of $6,500 annually. This is also true for Roth IRAs. Also, the annual maximums are the total among all IRAs. That is, if an individual is under age 50, […]
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State Income Tax and Retirement Income
On only a few rare occasions does it make sense to defer money to your 401(k) or other employer sponsored plan instead of a Roth IRA. Those occasions include when your gross income excludes you from contributing directly to a Roth IRA (you can still convert), you are currently at a very high tax rate or the case of when you live in a state where retirement income is excluded from state taxation. Here in Illinois, the current law exempts retirement income from being taxed at the state level. What this means, is that any contributions to a 401(k), 403(b), SEP, SIMPLE and 457 avoid state income taxation. Qualified distributions at retirement are only taxed at the federal level, and then only as income. If you contribute directly to a Roth IRA that money is after-tax money going in. After-tax in this case meaning it’s been already taxed at the […]
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The Roth IRA
Once you’ve established your emergency fund, it’s time to continue to pay yourself first but for a sunny day in the future – your retirement. For most people (this includes you) the Roth IRA is going to be a great option to save money for retirement and have a tax-free source of income once they hit their golden years. The Roth IRA was named after its namesake, Senator William Roth of Delaware. The IRA part simply means Individual Retirement Arrangement. Roth IRAs work like this: You save money into your Roth IRA on an after-tax basis. What this means is that when you get paid from your job and you’ve already paid Uncle Sam his share in taxes – you get what’s left over. Of those leftovers (couldn’t help the food reference) you can take some of that money and put it into a Roth IRA. This money then goes […]
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And if you’ve come here to learn about queuing waterfowl, I apologize for the confusion. You may want to discuss your question with Lester, my loyal watchduck and self-proclaimed “advisor’s advisor”.