Roth IRA: A Good Fit for Your Goals?

Traditional and Roth individual retirement accounts are both solid options for retirement savings. A Roth IRA offers tax advantages when you're ready to withdraw your funds, while contributions to a traditional IRA are tax-deferred until you take distributions. Comparing both IRA options can help you make an informed decision.

Roth Basics

Contributions to a Roth IRA are made with after-tax money. That means you won't get a tax deduction for your contributions. However, the money in your account grows tax free. Withdrawals are also tax free, providing you with a tax-free income stream in retirement. The maximum contribution to Roth and traditional IRAs in 2026 is $7,500, or $8,600 for people aged 50 or older.

No Required Distributions

Traditional IRAs require minimum distributions from your account after you reach age 73. In contrast, a Roth IRA has no minimum distribution requirement—ever. If you don't need the money in your account, you can leave it untouched to keep growing tax-free during your lifetime and then pass the Roth IRA tax-free to your heirs.

Income Limits

You cannot contribute to a Roth IRA if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds certain limits. In 2026, the income cap for single and head-of-household filers to contribute the maximum amount is $168,000. Married joint filers can contribute the full amount if their MAGI is $252,000 or less.

The Five-year Rule

Contributions to a Roth IRA can be withdrawn at any time, but earnings distributed before age 59-1/2 may be subject to a 10% penalty and income tax unless you meet an exception. After age 59-1/2, you can withdraw both contributions and earnings with no penalty once the account has been open for at least five tax years.

How to Decide

Consider a Roth IRA if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement. Since you'll pay taxes on the conversion, it's usually best to do so when your income dips. Your financial professional can help you make an informed decision.