Individual retirement accounts, or IRAs, are tax-advantaged investment accounts that help individuals save for retirement. The money you put into an IRA is used to invest in stocks, bonds, and other assets. Anyone who earns an income—regardless of whether they are a full-timer, a part-timer, or a contractor—can open and invest in an IRA.
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A 401(k) is employer-sponsored, may include matching contributions, and allows higher annual contributions (up to $23,000). An IRA is self-managed, offers greater control over investments, and has lower contribution limits ($7,000). Both plans come in traditional and Roth options, but income caps may limit IRA choices, while 401(k)s have no such restrictions.
An IRA lets individuals at most income levels invest either pre- or post-tax money for retirement. IRAs are often good solutions for people who don’t have the option to invest in a 401(k) plan—or for those who want to put even more money aside for retirement.
You can typically deduct traditional IRA contributions from your taxes. To invest in a Roth IRA, on the other hand, you must contribute money that has already been taxed.
Traditional IRAs allow tax-deductible contributions, but withdrawals in retirement are taxed as income. Roth IRAs use after-tax dollars, offering tax-free withdrawals later, but income limits may restrict eligibility. Choosing between the two depends on your financial situation today and your future tax outlook.
If you or your spouse contributes to a 401(k), you likely won’t be able to deduct your traditional IRA contributions from your taxes. On the flip side, if you don’t contribute to an employer-sponsored retirement account, you’re probably eligible for that tax deduction.
A Roth IRA might make the most sense for someone confident that they will have a higher income in retirement than they do now. For 2025, those allowed to contribute to a Roth IRA must have a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of less than $150K.
This ensures both people can build financial security for the future. While it’s not a separate account type, this provision requires couples to file a joint tax return to qualify, helping nonearning spouses save for retirement independently.
Those types are traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE. While all IRAs can help you save for retirement, each type has its own tax advantages and eligibility requirements, such as employment type or income level.
The median retirement savings for Americans was $87K as of May 2024. Some financial experts might find that number concerning, since a recent Northwestern Mutual survey found that $1.46M is the ideal retirement savings target. A graphic shows the current averages and medians broken down by age group.
In 2024, individuals could contribute up to $7K across all their IRAs. People aged 50 and older could contribute up to $8K. For 2025, the IRS kept the same contribution limits.
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