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A Roth IRA is a tax-advantaged account where you make after-tax contributions and withdraw those contributions tax-free and penalty-free at any time and for any reason. Earnings on those contributions can be withdrawn tax-free and penalty-free once you are age 59½ or older, and at least five years have elapsed since the beginning of the tax year when you made your first contribution. Withdrawals can also be made without penalty if you are eligible for one of several exemptions, including disability, qualified first-time home purchase, or qualified education expenses, among others.

With a Roth IRA, you contribute money that's already been taxed (that is, "after-tax" dollars). Any earnings in a Roth IRA have the potential to grow tax-free as long as they stay in the account. A distribution from a Roth IRA is tax-free and penalty-free, provided the 5-year aging requirement has been satisfied and one of the following conditions is met: age 59½, disability, qualified first-time home purchase, or death. Roth IRAs are not subject to required minimum distributions (RMD) during the lifetime of the original owner, so you can leave your assets in the Roth IRA where they have the potential to continue to grow.

With a traditional IRA, contributions can be made on an after-tax basis, or a pre-tax (tax-deductible) basis if certain requirements are met. Any earnings in the traditional IRA are tax-deferred as long as they remain in the account. Withdrawals of pre-tax monies are subject to ordinary income tax when withdrawn and potential penalties if the distribution is taken before you reach age 59 1/2. RMDs are required from traditional IRAs no later than April 1st of the year following the year in which you turn age 72. If you wait until April 1st, you will then be required to take your second distribution by the end of that year.

Answer a few questions in the IRA Contribution Calculator to find out whether a Roth or traditional IRA might be right for you, based on how much you're eligible to contribute and how much you might be able to deduct on your taxes.

There are no account fees or minimums to open a retail IRA. You can get started with investing with as little as $1.

You can withdraw your after-tax contributions to a Roth IRA tax-free and penalty-free at any time and for any reason. Otherwise, withdrawing earned income from a Roth IRA before the 5-year aging requirement is satisfied and you are 59 1/2 or older is subject to a 10% penalty in addition to income taxes unless an exception applies. Withdrawals from a Traditional IRA prior to age 59 1/2 are subject to a 10% penalty including ordinary income tax unless an exception applies.⁴

Answer a few questions in the IRA Contribution Calculator to find out whether a Roth or traditional IRA might be right for you, based on how much you're eligible to contribute and how much you might be able to deduct on your taxes.