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What Is the Difference Between a Roth and a Traditional IRA?

No matter your age, we feel it is smart to consider your retirement strategy to support the best life possible in your golden years. The small decisions you make right now will have an undeniable impact on your future.

Strategic retirement planning may need to be more than setting aside cash in a savings account. We feel It is important to make sure that your money is working for you. At the same time, the accumulation of wealth can also impact your tax burden, which is why you may want to talk to an accountant about tax planning options.

What Are IRAs?

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are financial tools that offer benefits for long-term investments and savings. The purpose is to provide a financial foundation to pay for your lifestyle after you retire.

Some employees access IRAs through their employers, such as a Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP). Another option is to choose an IRA to use on your own. Two of the most common types are traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs.

Comparison: Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA

These two types of IRAs are similar in some ways. The key difference is in the way taxation is handled. Do you prefer to pay the taxes upfront or when the money is withdrawn from the retirement account? Additionally, there are nuances for eligibility and fund accessibility that need to be considered.

Traditional IRA: With a traditional IRA, your contributions are tax-deductible, which means that you do not pay upfront income tax when the money goes into the account. Instead, you must pay tax on the withdrawals, based on your current tax rate at the time of distribution (usually in retirement). Early withdrawal (before the age of 59 1/2) results in a penalty of an additional 10% on top of the regular taxes.
Roth IRA: Contributions to this type of IRA account happen after your income has been taxed. Since you are paying the taxes upfront, there is no tax obligation when you withdraw the funds during retirement. However, this type of account has eligibility restrictions (income limits).

There are tax breaks available for both types of IRA accounts. However, the most notable difference lies in when you choose to pay taxes on the money.

Choosing the Right Type of IRA

Is an IRA right for you? Our professional team at Bulman Wealth Group is here to answer your questions about IRAs and other types of retirement accounts, as well as comprehensive financial planning. Schedule a consultation to discuss available services.

Disclosure: All content is for information purposes only. It is not intended to provide any tax or legal advice or provide the basis for any financial decisions. Nor is it intended to be a projection of current or future performance or indication of future results. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Chris Bulman Inc. dba Bulman Wealth Group and our editorial staff. The information contained in this material has been derived from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy and completeness and does not purport to be a complete analysis of the materials discussed. All information and ideas should be discussed in detail with your individual adviser prior to implementation. Advisory services are offered by Chris Bulman Inc. dba Bulman Wealth Group an SEC Investment Advisor notice filed in California, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Nevada. Investment Advisory Services also offered through Retirement Wealth Advisors, LLC. a Registered Investment Advisor. Bulman Wealth Group and Retirement Wealth Advisors, LLC. are separate entities, independently owned. Insurance products and services offered through Chris Bulman Inc dba BWG Insurance Agency and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. CA Insurance License #0D57586. Being registered as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Bulman Wealth Group, BWG Insurance Agency and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency. The information contained herein should in no way be construed or interpreted as a solicitation to sell or offer to sell advisory services to any residents of any State other than the States of California, Pennsylvania, Texas, Nevada, or where otherwise legally permitted. Images and photographs are included for the sole purpose of visually enhancing the website. None of them are photographs of current or former Clients. They should not be construed as an endorsement or testimonial from any of the persons in the photograph. Purchases are subject to suitability. This requires a review of an investor’s objective, risk tolerance, and time horizons. Investing always involves risk and possible loss of capital.

All content is for information purposes only. It is not intended to provide any tax or legal advice or provide the basis for any financial decisions. Nor is it intended to be a projection of current or future performance or an indication of future results.

Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Chris Bulman Inc. dba Bulman Wealth Group and our editorial staff. The information contained in this material has been derived from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy and completeness and does not purport to be a complete analysis of the materials discussed. All information and ideas should be discussed in detail with your individual advisor prior to implementation. Investment advisory services are offered through Chris Bulman Inc dba Bulman Wealth Group, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance products and services are offered through Chris Bulman, Inc. dba BWG Insurance Agency and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., CA State Insurance License # 0M46922. Being registered as an investment advisor does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

Bulman Wealth Group, BWG Insurance Agency and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.

Any statements or opinions expressed should in no way be construed or interpreted as a solicitation to sell, or offer to sell, advisory services to any residents of any State other than the States where otherwise legally permitted.

Images and photographs are included for the sole purpose of visually enhancing the website. None of them are photographs of current or former Clients. They should not be construed as an endorsement or testimonial from any of the persons in the photograph.

Purchases are subject to suitability. This requires a review of an investor’s objective, risk tolerance, and time horizons. Investing always involves risk and possible loss of capital.