Do i have a traditional or roth ira

IRA stands for individual retirement account, so it's literally an account that individuals can use to save for retirement. Most financial institutions offer IRAs as a product, alongside other financial accounts like a savings account or brokerage. When you open an IRA, you decide how to invest the money that's inside the account, the same way you would with a regular brokerage investment account. You can also buy insurance products such as deferred annuities that are designated as IRAs, which mostly affects how the money is taxed through the years.

Here's what's the same between traditional and Roth IRAs

There are two types of IRAs: traditional (often called 'pre-tax') and Roth. Financial institutions also often offer "rollover" IRAs, which is really just a traditional or Roth IRA that's funded with money that's rolled over from another retirement plan such as a 401(k) or 403(b).

Both have the same contribution limit. Each year you can add up to the IRS-designated limit to an IRA – for 2019 and 2020, the limit is $6,000 in total across all types, with an additional $1,000 catch-up amount if you're age 50 or older.

Both have the same contribution deadline. You can add money to your IRA account up until the April tax filing deadline and designate it a prior year contribution.

Here's what's different

 Traditional IRARoth IRAHow they are taxed

Contributions may be deductible

Withdrawals are taxable

Contributions are not deductible

Qualified withdrawals are tax-free

Age limitYou cannot contribute after age 70 ½, when you must begin withdrawalsNo age limitIncome requirementsAnyone can contribute regardless of income, but you may not be able to deduct it if you have a workplace retirement plan available and make over the IRS limits for that yearOnce your income exceeds the limits set by the IRS, you cannot make direct contributionsWhen you can withdrawAge 59 ½ unless you meet certain exceptions

Contributions can be withdrawn at any time

Growth can be withdrawn after reaching age 59 ½ as long as the account is at least 5 years old – there is an exception for first time home purchase that allows to withdraw up to $10k before age 59 ½

Required distributionsMust begin upon age 70 ½No required distributions during your lifetime

 

How do you choose?

The biggest difference between the two types of IRAs is how the money is taxed. If you think you'll be in a lower tax bracket when you're making withdrawals from your IRA than you are when you're making contributions, then a traditional IRA would make more sense, assuming you can deduct your contributions.

On the flipside, if you think you'll be in the same or higher tax bracket in retirement, then a Roth IRA might make more sense so that you can have tax-free income in retirement and enjoy tax-free growth of your savings.

What if you have both?

It's common to have both types of IRA, which is totally fine. You can decide each year which one you want to contribute to, or you could split your contributions between both (remember the total amount can't exceed the annual limit).

Additionally, if you have traditional IRA money that you'd like to convert to a Roth IRA (for example, if you find yourself in a year with lower income than normal and want to go ahead and pay the taxes at a lower rate), you can do that at any time, up to the full value of your traditional IRA. Just remember that you cannot undo that decision, so if you convert your traditional IRA to Roth IRA and then the value of your account drops, you still have to pay tax on the value that the account was on the day your converted it.

Traditional and Roth IRAs allow you to save money for retirement. This chart highlights some of their similarities and differences.

Who can contribute?

Traditional IRA

You can contribute if you (or your spouse if filing jointly) have taxable compensation. Prior to January 1, 2020, you were unable to contribute if you were age 70½ or older.

Roth IRA

You can contribute at any age if you (or your spouse if filing jointly) have taxable compensation and your modified adjusted gross income is below certain amounts (see and 2022 and 2023 limits).


Are my contributions deductible?

Traditional IRA

You can deduct your contributions if you qualify.

Roth IRA

Your contributions aren’t deductible.


How much can I contribute?

The most you can contribute to all of your traditional and Roth IRAs is the smaller of:

  • For 2021, $6,000, or $7,000 if you’re age 50 or older by the end of the year; or your taxable compensation for the year.
  • For 2022, $6,000, or $7,000 if you’re age 50 or older by the end of the year; or your taxable compensation for the year.
  • For 2023, $6,500, or $7,500 if you’re age 50 or older by the end of the year; or your taxable compensation for the year.

What is the deadline to make contributions?

Your tax return filing deadline (not including extensions). For example, you can make 2022 IRA contributions until April 18, 2023.


When can I withdraw money?

You can withdraw money anytime.


Do I have to take required minimum distributions?

Traditional IRAs

You must start taking distributions by April 1 following the year in which you turn age 72 (70 1/2 if you reach the age of 70 ½ before January 1, 2020) and by December 31 of later years.

Any deductible contributions and earnings you withdraw or that are distributed from your traditional IRA are taxable. Also, if you are under age 59 ½ you may have to pay an additional 10% tax for early withdrawals unless you qualify for an exception.

Roth IRAs

Not required if you are the original owner.

None if it’s a qualified distribution (or a withdrawal that is a qualified distribution). Otherwise, part of the distribution or withdrawal may be taxable. If you are under age 59 ½, you may also have to pay an additional 10% tax for early withdrawals unless you qualify for an exception.


Are my withdrawals and distributions taxable?

Traditional IRAs

Any deductible contributions and earnings you withdraw or that are distributed from your traditional IRA are taxable. Also, if you are under age 59 ½ you may have to pay an additional 10% tax for early withdrawals unless you qualify for an exception.

Roth IRAs

None if it’s a qualified distribution (or a withdrawal that is a qualified distribution). Otherwise, part of the distribution or withdrawal may be taxable. If you are under age 59 ½, you may also have to pay an additional 10% tax for early withdrawals unless you qualify for an exception.

How do I know if I have a traditional or Roth IRA?

If you're unsure which type of IRA you have, you'll want to check the paperwork you received when you first opened the account. It will explicitly state what type of account it is.

Is my 401K a Roth or traditional?

If you want to know the type of 401(k) you have, you should check box 12 of your W-2 tax return form. Roth 401(k) contributions are recorded as Code AA in Box 12 of the W-2 form, whereas 401(k) elective deferrals are recorded in W-2 Box 12 as Code D.

Is a 401K a traditional IRA?

While both plans provide income in retirement, each plan is administered under different rules. A 401K is a type of employer retirement account. An IRA is an individual retirement account.

Is a Roth IRA considered a traditional IRA?

Roth IRAs. A Roth IRA differs from a traditional IRA in several ways. Contributions to a Roth IRA aren't deductible (and you don't report the contributions on your tax return), but qualified distributions or distributions that are a return of contributions aren't subject to tax.