What Are the Different Types of IRA Accounts?

Key Takeaways

• Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are a way to save for retirement without an employer-sponsored plan.
• Traditional IRAs offer tax-deductible contributions and tax-deferred growth, but early withdrawals may be subject to taxes and penalties.
• Roth IRAs require contributions to be made with after-tax dollars, but offer tax-free withdrawals in retirement.
• Rollover IRAs allow for assets from former employer-sponsored plans to be rolled over into an IRA, maintaining tax-deferred status.
• SEP and SIMPLE IRAs are options for self-employed individuals and small business owners to save for retirement with contribution limits and tax advantages.

If you've been in the workforce for any period, you've likely heard of retirement funds. Not everyone wants to contribute to an employer-sponsored plan. And if you're one of 16 million people who are self-employed, you don't even have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan.¹

What is an IRA?

The good news is there are plenty of options. There's a lot you could do today to save for retirement — starting with looking into individual retirement accounts (IRAs). An IRA is a type of retirement savings account you can open on your own. These accounts are designed to help you save for retirement — usually through investment vehicles — while giving you some potential tax advantages along the way.

Is there a right age for you to open an IRA?

You’re really never too young or too old to open an IRA – the right age mostly depends on your life stage. There’s no minimum or maximum age for opening an IRA, but you do have to be earning income from work in order to fund one. Here’s when opening an IRA can be a good fit for you — whether it’s before you are working full time, during your early/middle/late career or when you are close to retirement.

How many IRAs can you have?

The IRS does not limit the number of IRAs you can own, but there is a limit on the amount of money you are allowed to contribute in total to all of them. You might want to have multiple IRAs for investment and tax diversification, inheritance and estate planning and potential withdrawal flexibility. Considering your short- and long-term needs and retirement plan options (Roth versus traditional IRAs) can help you determine whether or not it’s right for you to invest in multiple IRAs.

What is the difference between a 401(k) and an IRA?

The main difference between a 401(k) and an IRA is that a 401(k) is only available through an employer, whereas anyone who has income from work at any age can open and contribute money to either a traditional or Roth IRA. In addition, some 401(k)s feature matching employer contributions. This explanation of key features of both a 401(k) and an IRA can help you determine the best path for your retirement savings.

Traditional IRAs

You're eligible to open a traditional IRA as long as you have taxable compensation or self-employment income. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the maximum amount you can contribute to a traditional IRA each year is $7,000. If you're 50 or older, you can contribute up to $8,000.²

A traditional IRA lets you contribute  without having to worry about taxes until you withdraw. You can also subtract your contributions from your annual gross income to decrease your tax liability.

Keep in mind that withdrawals of taxable amounts before reaching age 59 1/2 are subject to ordinary income tax and a 10% IRS penalty, with some exceptions.³

Roth IRAs

A Roth IRA is similar to a traditional IRA, with one significant difference: You pay taxes now instead of later. Some people prefer to take this route so they don't have to pay income tax later on in life when they withdraw. Roth IRAs also have a maximum annual contribution amount of $7,000 ($8,000 if you're age 50 or older).⁴

Roth Conversion IRAs

A Roth conversion IRA refers to the process of converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA. Those who choose this route do so because they don't want to worry about taxes later in life. To do the conversion, you must report the traditional IRA funds as income and pay taxes on them. (This may put you into a higher tax bracket for the year you report it as income.)

Rollover IRAs

A rollover IRA is when an employee chooses to roll over their former employer-sponsored plan into an IRA when they either change jobs or retire. This rollover is usually done with 401(k)s, 403(b)s or assets from a profit-sharing plan.

Many people choose to do this so their assets can maintain their tax-deferred status. People who open this type of account can also move their rollover IRA funds into a new employer's retirement plan.

SEP IRAs

A simplified employee pension (SEP) IRA is a type of IRA available for self-employed individuals and has its own contribution limits. Your contributions as a self-employed individual to a SEP IRA cannot exceed the lesser of 25% of your business profit or $69,000 for 2024.⁵ In addition, your contributions are tax-deferred until you withdraw them in retirement. 

Some business owners decide to do a combination of a Roth IRA and SEP IRA. The Roth IRA handles current taxes, while the SEP IRA allows you to contribute more and deduct those current contributions from your taxes. Those who choose this route are usually either sole proprietors or have only one other employee. Freelancers and consultants may also decide to open a SEP IRA.

SIMPLE IRAs

A savings incentive match plan for employees (SIMPLE) IRA allows employers and employees to contribute to traditional IRAs. SIMPLE IRAs are used by employers who don't offer an employer-sponsored plan to their employees but want to give them some way to save.

Small-business owners, for example, may choose to offer a SIMPLE IRA. This IRA allows the owners to contribute and get tax advantages while also giving their employees an additional incentive to stick around.

Sources

1. The Employment Situation — June 2023. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf
2. Retirement Topics - IRA Contribution Limits. https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits.
3. Retirement Topics - Exceptions to Tax on Early Distributions. https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-tax-on-early-distributions.
4. Retirement Topics - IRA Contribution Limits. https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits.
5. SEP Contribution Limits (including grandfathered SARSEPs). https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/sep-contribution-limits-including-grandfathered-sarseps.