Roth IRA secrets - 7 reasons why a Roth IRA trumps a Traditional IRA

By: S.A. Smith
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:17:20
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TAX-FREE COMPOUNDING

Contributions inside a Roth IRA can grow and compound each year in your investment portfolio on a tax-free basis. This cannot be said for investments within a 401k plan or traditional IRA, which only experience tax-deferred growth compounding. At some point in time the investments held within 401k and IRA plans will have to pay the tax man.

TAX-FREE EARNINGS

Accumulated wealth inside a Roth IRA is 100% tax-free and will not be taxed at the time of withdrawal. The power of this benefit is truly realized when there are significant capital gains within the portfolio, or in investments with longer time horizons (which allows greater time for compounding growth and magnification of your portfolio size).

TRUE CAPITAL GAINS

The Roth IRA is the only investment plan that truly lets you capture 100% of capital gains on a tax-free basis. If these same capital gains where made inside a 401k or traditional IRA plan, at the time of withdrawal they are CONVERTED to ordinary income at are taxed as earnings in that year. Traditional IRA plans and 401K plans have the effect of converting your portfolio capital gains into taxable income at the time of withdrawal.

LONGER COMPOUNDING

Unlike traditional IRA plans, Roth IRAs have no required mandatory withdrawal dates based on your age, and therefore allow you a longer time horizon for portfolio compounding and capital gains growth. Inside traditional IRA plans you are required to made mandatory minimum withdrawals (that will be taxable) after 70 years of age.

ESTATE TAX REDUCTION

Your heirs will not be required to pay tax on the benefits received from your Roth IRA plan. In contrast, taxed would be need to be paid by your heirs to receive the benefits of a traditional IRA plan.

EARLY WITHDRAWALS

In the event you need to access funds in the event of an emergency, the Roth IRA plans treat withdrawals differently that a traditional IRA. You don't pay tax on withdrawals from a Roth IRA until the amount exceeds your actual contribution amounts paid in. This is not true of an IRA, and you will also face an additional early withdrawal penalty in many cases.

IS A ROTH IRA RIGHT FOR YOU?

In this article we have covered 7 of the powerful investment benefits you can reap holding a Roth IRA plan. Only your professional investment advisor can advise if a Roth IRA is right for your circumstances. Take the time to learn more about the power of a Roth IRA plan and contact your advisor today. It may be the best investment move you ever make.

About the Author

S.A. Smith is a freelance writer, contributor, and editor of the Roth IRA 401k information portal.

Article source: Expert Articles

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