While Traditional and Roth IRAs both allow you to save for retirement, it’s important to know their differences.
The IRS has income and age requirements that determine what type of IRA you can contribute to, and if you are eligible to deduct your contributions.
Here are some key differences:
| Features | Traditional IRA | Roth IRA |
| Can I contribute? | You can contribute if you (or your spouse, if filing taxes jointly) have qualifying earned income. | You can contribute if you (or your spouse, if filing taxes jointly) have qualifying earned income and you meet the IRS income limits (2022 and 2023 limits). |
| Are my contributions deductible? (before tax) | You can deduct Traditional contributions if you meet the IRS deduction limits. | Roth contributions are not deductible. |
| Contribution limit |
The 2023 combined contribution limit of your Traditional and Roth IRAs is the lesser of:
The 2022 contribution limits are $6,000 and $7,000, respectively. |
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| Contribution deadline | You can contribute to your Traditional and/or Roth IRA until your tax filing deadline (not including extensions). | |
| Taxation of withdrawals | Your contributions and earnings will be taxed at the time of withdrawal. | Your contributions can be withdrawn tax-free at any time; earnings can be withdrawn federally tax-free and penalty-free if it has been more than 5 years since your initial contribution and you are over age 59½ or qualify for an exception. |
| Early withdrawal penalty | A 10% early withdrawal penalty may be assessed if you withdraw prior to age 59½, unless you qualify for an exemption. | |
| Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) | RMDs are generally required to begin April 1 following the year in which you turn age 72 (70½ if you reached the age of 70½ before January 1, 2020) and by December 31 of later years. | RMDs are not required to be taken at any age from a Roth IRA if you’re the original account owner. |
M1 is unable to advise if a particular IRA type is right for you.
M1 and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.