This paper explores the characteristics of traditional and Roth IRAs, as well as the similarities and differences between both. The main characteristic of both IRAs is that both are considered tax shelters—a way for individuals to receive reduced tax liability by decreasing one’s taxable income. Traditional IRA’s are called “deductible” because contributions made with earned income, up to specified limits, are fully or partially deductible from income depending upon factors such as adjusted gross income and filing status. Upon withdrawal, the money is then taxed as ordinary income. Roth IRAs are the antithesis—the money that you contribute here is already taxed at your marginal tax rate and the withdrawals are generally not taxed. Only money that is considered investment income is taxed. Because of the income limits of Roth IRAs, some individuals choose first to contribute to traditional IRAs or employer-sponsored programs and subsequently convert to a Roth IRA. For younger individuals with lower incomes, Roth IRAs seem to be the better choice based on the below research. The money is taxed at a lower rate and then contributed. As one ages, tax rates are probable to rise and the cost of contributing increases as a result. Saving in full measure, below the legal limit and beginning this process at a young age seems the best option for a enjoyable retirement in years to come. Keywords: traditional IRA, Roth IRA, IRA conversions The push for Congress to pass legislation protecting the rights of employees and their retirement was inevitable. Retirement plans are extremely important for all working individuals. Having funds to keep or exceed ones current standard of living and to enjoy one’s life beyond expectations after retire... ... middle of paper ... ... (as they were not taxed while contributing to the traditional IRA), this option still may have the greatest tax benefits in the future. It is very hard to predict the future, as one is unable to know for certain what tax rates will be imposed upon individuals as time goes on. However, from my research, it seems that it is a safer decision to assume that tax rates will increase over the years, and with this, the Roth IRA seems to be the safest option for young individuals, with the most benefit, given AGI requirements are met. However, if you are not able to contribute to a Roth IRA at a young age due to income, the option to convert to a Roth IRA should be investigated. There is no absolute answer to all retirement questions—every avenue is relative to other parts of the equation—but the end result of post-retirement stability is likely the common goal for us all.
Throughout the book, Patrick Kelly explain the benefits of tax-free retirement. He laid down the foundation of having a joyful and peaceful retirement. He explains two great products for “Tax-Free Retirement”: Roth IRA and Universal Life Insurance. Depending on income and how long a person will take to retire, one may be more suitable than the other. The Roth IRA is suitable for individuals that want to save less than $4000 per year, is not looking for life insurance, or someone that is close to retirement. The Roth IRA has no required contribution and the premium is always accessible making it perfect for people with unstable income or close to retirement. Furthermore, another solution that Kelley provides for “Tax-Free Retirement” is Universal
You might be tempted to dip into your retirement fund for a major purchase, find the will to resist. You’ll pay extra fees and taxes, and you are robbing your future self. If you leave it alone, your money will continue to grow year after year. Your gains can be reinvested and you’ll earn more than you would have with just a small chunk of
In America’s early days before the kickoff of industry, there was little need for retirement savings for a few key reasons. First of all, people were dying at a much earlier age; most people didn’t live past 38, whereas in 1900, 60 years of age was common for about 40 percent of the population and 15 percent experienced 80 years of life. Another reason for the irrelevance of social security in the 19th century and earlier was that people were usually living rurally on farms with extended families to take care of them. Furthermore, the Civil War also didn’t allow the government much economic room to consider providing a service such as social security. However, after the Civil War, pensions were a form of social security for civil war veterans that carried into their retirement. Unfortunately these pensions provided support for only a very small portion of the population; not even one percent of Americans received these pensions. Despite a much lower need for social security in the 18th ...
The Social Security Act was enacted in 1935, and since then it has undergone numerous revisions and amendments. Today the act covers a wide range of benefit programs, including Medicare, unemployment compensation, and Supplemental Security Income. The major portion for which the Social Security Act has become known, however, is the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program, or OASDI. While today the OASDI program is most frequently referred to as “Social Security,” it is only a thread in what has been called the “social safety net.” Therefore, throughout this paper, it should be understood that Social Security will be the term used to refer to all its encompassed programs as a group, as a matter of convenience.
Today, the future of Social Security is in the news again. The reason Social Security is of such concern is that the extremely large group of citizens born in the post-World War II period—the much-discussed baby-boom generation—is retiring. The generation that will take its place in the workforce is far smaller in proportion to the number of retirees, raising fears about the sustainability of Social Security. In the past, proposed solutions to the various problems facing Social Security aroused great debate. Each time, however, the arguments were stilled, repairs were made, and the system continued to fulfill its mandate. That uncertainty about the future has resulted in suggestions for change that range from minor adjustments to complete privatization of the ...
providing retirement benefits to those who have reached the ages of sixty-two or age sixty-five,
Through the years, people age and become less productive. For these reasons, they have to prepare some plans that help them secure their own future. But, there are instances that lead an individual to an early retirement. Some lack motivation and enthusiasm in their work. Others are not capable of working anymore as well because of the health issues that they are facing. Regardless of the reason, it is important that one has to work so that by the time they retire, they will not end up broke. Having this in mind, many people are already investing in a simple IRA.
The IRS plans to have Christian non-profits take down the Social Security numbers of donors who give $250 or more in one year, which will put thousands of philanthropists at risk of identity theft and associated complications, experts say.
Richard A. Gephardt, Being Careful with Social Security [article online], Newsweek Inc. Accessed 15 January 1997; Page A19. Social Security Administration. Available from http://www.ssa.gov
The Australian government will increase the age pension from 65 to 70 by 2035(Australian Department of Human services [AU]). This announcement has lots of challenges for Australian people who are under 50; some people support the rise and find it beneficial for the future economical life. However, others are against the announcement as it has lots of concerns for their future plan, as they have to work longer to save more for their retirement. The current population ageing put pressure on the young workers who support retirees and their families, at the same time it affect the economic development. So the rise of pension has advantages and disadvantages on the future life standard of most Australians. It is beneficial decision from the government to provide a productive and qualified future life.
Tanner is not giving good advice to his friend Jackson, because before you start investing in a stock mutual fund or in a Roth IRA, first you have to invest in yourself, get your degree. Education and knowledge is the best investment with the most return that you will get. Jackson has to follow the baby steps before anything, he has to stay out of debt, and making sure he has enough money to finish his education.
During the times of the Great Depression, millions of Americans were living in poverty, the majority of them were elderly. They had no income, savings or the ability to re-enter the work force. In response to these circumstances, President Franklin Roosevelt signed a legislation, which was passed by the Congress to start the New Deal program “Social security.” David Hosansky, a senior writer at CQ Weekly and the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville, defined the federal social insurance program as, “a method of providing income to families when family earnings were reduced or stopped because of certain circumstances such as death, retirement, or disability.” The program provided income benefits for retired workers, dependents, survivors, and mostly elderly’s. During the previous years, the rate of retirement has been skyrocketing and threatening the very existence of the program. The rapid increase in the rate of retiree are causing the social security program to pay out more benefit costs than it is receiving.
Therefore, thanks to the HEART Act, a total of $500,000 ($400,000 from SGLI and $100,000 military death gratuity) can now be contributed to a Roth IRA and then be withdrawn tax-free at retirement by the beneficiaries. This is a tremendous opportunity to grow a significant sum into an even much greater one,
On top of all the expenses, the employees have to juggle in their life, retirement funds create the most stress. More and more people are delaying their retirement because they are worried they cannot support their life during retirement. With the life expectancy increasing, and health care expenses rising, retirement would jeopardize the stability of life. The increase of the aged population in the workforce also means that young college graduates would have a difficult time finding a job. In this memo, I have laid out some suggestions on how we can change to fit into the retirement industry in the future.
Allers, Kimberly Seals. "How Fit Are Your Finances?" Ebony 68.9 (2013): 93-97. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Nov. 2013. Bauer, Gabrielle, and John Southerst. "A promising retirement: your life, your way." Maclean's 18 Feb. 2013: 37+. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.