7 Things You Need to Know About Roth IRAs to Maximize Tax-Free Income


Episode Artwork
1.0x
0% played 00:00 00:00
Nov 12 2024 17 mins   82

Roth IRAs offer great tax-free income benefits, but to make the most of them in retirement, here are seven things you need to know:

  1. Contribution Limits: In 2024, you can contribute up to $7,000 annually ($8,000 if 50+), across both Roth and traditional IRAs.
  2. Access to Contributions: You can withdraw your contributions at any time, tax-free and penalty-free. Only earnings are subject to penalties if withdrawn early.
  3. The Five-Year Rule: To withdraw earnings tax-free, the Roth IRA must be held for at least five years.
  4. Income Limits & Backdoor Roths: High earners may not be able to contribute directly, but a backdoor Roth strategy can help. Consult a financial advisor for guidance.
  5. No RMDs: Roth IRAs don’t require minimum distributions, allowing your funds to grow as long as you want.
  6. No Impact on Social Security: Roth IRA withdrawals won’t count toward your provisional income, potentially lowering your Social Security tax.
  7. No Medicare Surcharge: Roth withdrawals don’t affect your adjusted gross income, helping you avoid higher Medicare premiums.

By understanding the points above, you can use a Roth IRA to manage taxes and increase flexibility in your retirement.

Submit your request to join James:
On the Ready For Retirement podcast: Apply Here
On a Retirement Makeover episode: Apply Here

Timestamps:
0:00 - What is a Roth IRA?
1:38 - Free withdrawals
3:15 - The 5-year rule
4:49 - Income thresholds
6:01 - Backdoor Roth contribution
8:18 - No RMDs
9:26 - Not provisional income
12:10 - Not part of IRMA calculations
13:06 - Income requirement nuances
14:49 - Wrap-up

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️


Get Started Here.