Biggest Drawbacks of IRA Investments Every Investor Should Know

Are you considering investing in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? It’s a popular choice for many investors looking to save for retirement and upgrade their future finance. Some young investors call it a ‘slam dunk.’ However, like any investment option, IRAs come with their own set of drawbacks that you should be aware of. Should you stay away from IRAs? Well, you’ll find out the answer here. So let’s get started.

Low Annual Contribution Limits

oldUnlike some other retirement savings options that allow for higher contributions, IRAs have strict limits on how much you can contribute each year. For 2021, the biggest contribution limit for a traditional or Roth IRA is $6,000 if you’re under 50 years old. If you’re beyond 50, you can make an additional catch-up contribution of $1,000. While this may seem like a substantial amount at first glance, it may not be enough for those who are looking to aggressively save for their retirement.

The low annual contribution limits can be particularly limiting if you have other retirement accounts or if your income allows for larger contributions. However, it’s worth noting that even with these limitations, IRAs still offer valuable tax advantages and potential growth opportunities.

Early Withdrawal Penalties

It’s true that IRAs offer tax advantages and long-term growth potential, but accessing your money before reaching the age of 59½ can come with costly consequences. Here is the case. Suppose you withdraw funds from a traditional IRA before the specified age. You will likely face …

How to Start Planning for Retirement

Retirement seems like something only seniors should worry about, but that’s not true. According to a recent survey, 82% of working Americans believe they will have a more challenging time achieving financial security than their parents. That’s why it’s so important to consider the steps necessary to plan for retirement now. Of course, it’s almost always a good idea to meet with a financial advisor to develop a retirement plan that’s beneficial to your situation, but in the meantime, view more to know some tips on how to start preparing for retirement now.

Open a 401k

finance

If your company offers a 401k retirement plan, this could be an effortless way to get your savings. This is potentially free money for you. Another great thing about traditional 401k applications, at least at first, is that the money is taken out of your paycheck, which means you save money on taxes while you save for the future. You will have to pay taxes when you withdraw money from a traditional 401k (it’s different for roth accounts, which are a little less common), but for many individuals, income drops off after retirement, which means you won’t have to pay as much in taxes as when you had a full-time job.

Open an IRA

If your company doesn’t offer a 401k program, opening an IRA is still an excellent alternative to save money. While you may not have the guaranteed contributions typically provided with a 401k plan, the same tax basis generally applies to …