Ever wondered if there was an alternative to stock piling money into a savings account ( An account that’s earning close to zero percent interest)? There are various alternatives to simply saving money under your mattress, and in a savings account.

If you meet the IRS eligibility criteria (not over the MAGI phaseouts), or you are able to contribute through the back door option. 

A tax advantaged way to save money, and gain more on your investment is to contribute to a Roth IRA. What is a Roth IRA you ask?

What is a Roth IRA

A Roth IRA is an individual retirement plan that can be either an account or an annuity. ( An individual retirement annuity must be set up in the owner’s name, and the owner or beneficiaries will receive the payments or benefits).

Throughout this insight I will refer to Roth IRA accounts. Roth IRA accounts can be opened through various brokerage accounts; for example, TD Ameritrade, Vanguard, Scott trade, and many more.

If you were to open a Roth IRA with a brokerage organization you will be able to hold investments and cash in the account for the purpose of saving for retirement hence the name Individual Retirement Arrangement ( often referred to as Individual Retirement Account).

Why invest in a Roth IRA

Short Answer: Roth IRA will allow you to invest your after tax dollars in an account, and withdrawals can be made up to the contributed amount without paying taxes.

Long Answer: Eligible distributions from a Roth IRA are tax free. For example, you may contribute $10,000 dollars to a Roth IRA account, and the account earns $7,000 dollars because you invested the money in investments with long track records of above average performance.

At the age of 59 ½, disabled, or 1st time home purchase, you can make eligible distributions tax free. Or if you are not 59 ½ and meet one of the eligibility requirements you can make tax free distributions:

Have you owned the account for at least 5 years?

• No : The distribution from your Roth account will require you to pay interest and/or penalty
• Yes : and you are over 59 ½ the distributions are tax free.
  • Yes, and you’re younger than 59 ½ then the distribution will be penalty free if for one of the following reasons:
    • Medical insurance premiums while unemployed
    • Substantially equal periodic payments
    • Higher education expenses
    • Medical expenses in excess of 7.5% floor
    • Birth or legal adoption ($5,000)
    • Federal tax levy
    • Terminal illness
    • $22,000 aggregate for federal disasters
    • Emergency funds up to $1,000 once every three years
    • Or Domestic abuse

On the other hand, if you withdraw the funds in the Roth IRA before the age of 59 ½ you will have to pay your current tax rate plus a 10% penalty. The reason for the stiff penalty is because this account is meant to be a savings account for retirement.

However, this penalty only refers to the gains from the investment and not the contributed amount. The IRS has exception to the 10% penalty for early withdraws and they are as follows:

• You are totally and permanently disabled.
• You are the beneficiary of a deceased IRA owner
• You use the distribution to buy, build, or rebuild a first home.
• You have unreimbursed medical expenses that are more than 10% (or 7.5% if you or your spouse was born before January 2, 1951) of your adjusted gross income (defined earlier) for the year.
• The distribution is a qualified reservist distribution.

IRA Comparison Chart

Savings Vs. Roth IRA Calculator

To Roth or not to Roth that is the question

Roth IRA’s have an annual contribution limits that increase occasionally. At the time of writing this the limit is $7,000 or $8,000 if you are 50 years or over.

If you are single and earn less than $165,000 or $246,000 married filing jointly you are able to invest in a Roth IRA. You must ask yourself where do you foresee your taxable income tax-rate at retirement.

If in retirement you foresee yourself having a lower tax rate then during your working lifetime then a traditional IRA may need to be considered. However, that does not necessarily mean you will pay less in taxes.

Actually with the lower tax rate you would need to pay taxes whereas with the Roth IRA you will not have to pay taxes as long as the distributions are eligible (Eligible when you have received 59 ½ and have held the account more than 5 years.

Another point to consider is tax free gain can make a huge difference. In the calculator above, test out your assumptions of investment / interest, and compare how investing in a Roth IRA can benefit you compared to saving in a traditional savings account. 

Also, do not forget about your personal budget allocations and the 10 to 15 percent you are investing for your future self/plans/family.

When considering an alternative to your traditional savings account, consider a Roth IRA for the tax advantage and capitalize on the growth, and do not forget you can withdraw up to the amount you contributed without being taxed before the age of 59 ½.

Non qualified withdraws from Roth IRA are taxed in this order:

• Contributions are not taxed
• Conversions are not taxed at distribution (taxed when the conversion is initially made)
• Earnings are taxed.

Have any questions? Let’s talk visit https://www.asmallinvestment.com/lets-talk and schedule a complimentary conversation. 

For more information visit the link below:
https://www.irs.com/roth-iras