traditional IRA
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The traditional IRA is one of the best options in the retirement-savings toolbox. You can open a traditional IRA at a bank or a brokerage, and the universe of investments is wide open to you. But with that freedom comes responsibility. Traditional IRAs have a lot of rules — break one and you could face a penalty. If you'd like to know more about IRAs, start with our beginner's guide: everything you should know about traditional IRAs then work your way through our other features and guides on smart strategies to ensure you can end up with a sizable chunk of change down the road.
Latest
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Is Your IRA an IOU to the IRS? Three Retirement Tax Strategies
These steps, including converting to Roth IRAs, using a Roth 401(k) and leveraging life insurance and annuities, can help reduce your taxes in retirement.
By William Decker, Investment Advisor Representative Published
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How IRAs Impact Social Security
Do your traditional IRA distributions count as income that could lower your social security benefits? It depends.
By Tom Taulli Published
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IRA vs Roth vs 401(k): Which Do You Pick?
All offer great tax breaks as you save for retirement. In addition, there are 403(b), SEP and SIMPLE plans and more. But don't worry. It’s hard to go wrong.
By Scott McClatchey, CFP® Published
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QCDs Are a Tax-Smart Way for Retirees To Donate to Charity
The Tax Letter With QCDs, retirees can save on taxes by making donations from their IRAs directly to charity. Here's what you need to know about qualified charitable distributions.
By Joy Taylor Published
The Tax Letter -
The Do’s and Don’ts of Inherited IRAs
When you inherit an IRA, you likely have a lot of questions. Do you need to take RMDs? When? How long do you have before the account must be cleaned out?
By Vincent Birardi, CFP®, AIF®, MBA Published
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What to Know Before You Inherit an IRA
Managing the taxes that come with an inherited IRA takes smart planning, especially since the SECURE Act eliminated the 'stretch IRA' game plan for most folks.
By Antwone Harris, MBA, CFP® Published
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Got a Cash Balance Pension? Understand Your Options
To maximize your retirement income, you need to know how your cash balance plan works, which type of payout is right for you and how it’s taxed.
By Mike Palmer, CFP Published
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Charitable Remainder Trust: The Stretch IRA Alternative
The SECURE Act killed the stretch IRA, but a properly constructed charitable remainder trust can deliver similar benefits, with some caveats.
By Brandon Mather, CFP®, CEPA, ChFEBC® Published
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Traditional IRA Basics: 10 Things You Must Know
Basics A traditional IRA can be a powerful retirement-savings tool but you need to understand contribution limits, RMDs, rules for beneficiaries under the SECURE Act and more.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
Basics