Skip to main content

Sound Advice: October 16, 2024

Why a Roth IRA is a good choice for savings

A Roth IRA is a great retirement savings option for several reasons:

Tax-Free Growth and Withdrawals

The primary benefit of a Roth IRA is that your contributions and earnings grow tax-free, and you can withdraw them tax-free after age 59½, provided you've had the account for at least five years. This means you pay taxes on the money going in, but all future withdrawals are tax-free, which can result in significant tax savings in retirement.

Flexibility

Unlike traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs allow you to withdraw your contributions (but not earnings) at any time, tax- and penalty-free. This provides greater flexibility for managing your finances.

No Required Minimum Distributions

Roth IRAs don't have required minimum distributions (RMDs) during the owner's lifetime, allowing your money to continue growing tax-free for as long as you want.

Estate Planning Benefits

Roth IRAs can be an effective tool for estate planning, as they can be passed on to heirs tax-free.

Contribution Limits

For 2024, the contribution limits for Roth IRAs are as follows:

  • $7,000 for individuals under age 50
  • $8,000 for individuals age 50 and older (includes a $1,000 catch-up contribution)

It's important to note that these limits apply to the total contributions across all your IRAs (both Roth and traditional).

Income Limits

Roth IRA contributions are subject to income limits. For 2024:

  • Single filers: Full contributions allowed if modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is under $146,000. Contributions phase out between $146,000 and $161,000.
  • Married filing jointly: Full contributions allowed if MAGI is under $230,000. Contributions phase out between $230,000 and $240,000.

If your income exceeds these limits, you may still be able to contribute using the backdoor Roth IRA strategy. In summary, a Roth IRA offers tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement, flexibility, and estate planning benefits, making it an attractive option for many investors. Even so, it's important to consider your current and future tax situation when deciding between a Roth and traditional IRA.

In summary, a Roth IRA offers tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement, flexibility, and estate planning benefits, making it an attractive option for many investors.

Before getting started, remember that it's important to consider your current and future tax situation when deciding between a Roth and traditional IRA.

 

N. Russell Wayne

Weston, CT  06883

203-895-8877

www.soundasset.blogspot.com

 

 

  

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sound Advice: February 21, 2024

800-000-0000 That’s 800-000-0000 Again, 800-000-0000 That’s the typical closing for the hard sell commercials that are increasingly polluting media airwaves.   These are the commercials for products or services you rarely need or most definitely should avoid. A substantial number are on behalf of groups of attorneys who would have you believe that you and many others may be entitled to cash compensation for having used or being exposed to some evil item or substance some time in the last few decades.   The pitch always includes a comment that there’s no cost to you unless there is a settlement in your favor. Much of this is rubbish, but when the appeal suggests that there’s nothing to lose, why not take a shot.   And, as you would expect, “advisors” are standing by 24/7 to take your call and help get the process in motion.   What kind of advisor would be available at 3 a.m.? One version of this approach pops up every year between October 15 th and Decemb...

Sound Advice: September 21, 2022

The Professional Approach To Stock Selection There are various approaches to stock selection, but the two that predominate are fundamental analysis and technical analysis.  Fundamental analysis is a numbers-based method that evaluates key factors such as income and financial health, including the past, present, and future.  Technical analysis emphasizes movements and formations of stock prices. Fundamental analysis is based on factors that over time have proved to have a meaningful impact on stock price movements.  The optimal picture of corporate profitability is steady growth, both in the past and, prospectively, in the coming years.  Steady growth is rewarded by higher valuations of underlying earning power than those accorded companies with erratic progress. When professionals screen (filter) the data of the broad universe of stocks, they look for companies that move ahead every year, regardless of the prevailing economic conditions.  Although high pas...

Sound Advice: July 26, 2023

Is Day Trading a Good Idea? Day trading can be both exciting and potentially profitable, but it also comes with significant risks and challenges. Whether it's a good idea depends on several factors, including your financial situation, risk tolerance, time commitment, and knowledge of the markets. Here are some considerations to keep in mind: Risk and volatility: Day trading involves buying and selling securities within a short time frame, often within the same day. This exposes you to the inherent volatility and risks of the market. Prices can fluctuate rapidly, and unexpected events can have a significant impact on stock prices, making it challenging to consistently make profits. Time commitment: Day trading requires a substantial time commitment. It involves closely monitoring market movements, conducting research, and executing trades. It can be stressful and demanding, as you need to be actively engaged in the market during t...