What types of retirement plans 401ks or IRAs might be best for retirement?

Answer 1

The right answer is, It Depends.

I like a ROTH IRA. Here we pay tax on our contributons. Qualified distributions from a ROTH IRA are tax free. The ROTH IRA also allows us to take our Annual Contributions out of the IRA at any time without tax or without penalty for any reason, even to make a trip to Vegas and put it all on red.

A Traditional IRA is OK too. Here we do not pay tax on our annual contributions giving us a tax advantage now. All distributions from a Traditional IRA are subject to income tax, and if taken before age 59.5 years, there is a 10% penalty. There are a few items that qualify for avoiding the 10% penalty.

Everyone can contribute to a Traditional. Not everyone can take the tax deduction. This is called an after tax Traditional IRA. The earnings are tax deferred. When you take a distribution from this IRA part of the distribution is subject to income tax and part of the distribution is tax free. These amounts are based on the ratio of your after tax contributions to the total amount of the IRA.

Both IRAs will provide you with more investment choices when you use a discount broker as the IRA custodian.

IRAs typically are afforded $1,000,000 of bankruptcy protection. This may vary from state to state.

The 401k contribution is taken from our pay each pay day. Some employer's offer a matching contribution. The Traditional 401k is not taxed when we contribute. It is taxed when we take a qualified distribution. Investment choices are usually limited to a set of mutual funds and savings accounts. Some 401k plans offer a loan feature. I do not recommend you ever take a loan from your 401k account.

Some employers offer a ROTH 401k. Your contributions are taxed as you make the contribution. When you take the qualified distribution from the plan your money comes out tax free. When the employer makes a matching contribution to this IRA, it is a tax deferred contribution. You will pay ordinary income taxes on distributions of the employer's contribution.

When you start contributing to a 401k plan, READ the Summary Plan Description. You will be given a copy, read it.

The big advantage of a 401k plan is for 2008 you can contribute up to $15,500. And if you are over age 50, you can contribute an additional $5,000. This "Catch-up" contribution can be made even if your 401k limits you to an amount lower than the $15,500.

Which is better? It Depends.