Retirement

Overview IRAs IRAs FAQs
Why invest for retirement?
Rising prices

Because of inflation, nearly everything you buy in the future will cost more than it does today. You can stay ahead of rising prices by choosing investments with the potential to outperform the annual inflation rate.

Longer life spans

As Americans continue living longer and retiring earlier, it's possible you could be retired for more years than you worked. Without the long-term return potential of investments, you increase the risk of outliving your money when you need it most.

More active retirement lifestyles

Thanks to medical advances and healthier lifestyles, many retirees lead active lives that include travel, second homes and expensive hobbies. The challenge is saving enough money now to enjoy your after-work years to the fullest.

Growing concerns about Social Security

Social Security currently covers only a fraction of most retirees' expenses, and the system's financial uncertainty makes it doubtful that benefits will rise much in the future.

Declining pension coverage

Unlike past generations, most Americans today can no longer depend on guaranteed, employer-funded pensions. Instead, companies are shifting responsibility to their workers by sponsoring 401(k)s and other retirement plans funded mostly with employee contributions.

Strategies for a successful retirement
Invest early and often

The sooner you start and the more frequently you invest, the bigger your retirement accounts are likely to be.

Save automatically

Arrange to have money automatically invested from your paycheck and bank accounts to systematically save before you're tempted to spend.

Minimize taxes

Employer-sponsored retirement plans and IRAs grow on a tax-deferred basis. That means investment earnings aren't normally taxed until withdrawn, usually when you're retired and in a lower tax bracket.

Maximize contributions to your employer's plan

Contributions reduce your current taxable income and grow tax-deferred for the future, along with any employer matching funds.

Invest windfalls

Investing raises, bonuses, tax refunds and other windfalls helps build your accounts without disrupting your normal budget.

Make rollovers

Maintain tax deferrals when changing jobs or retiring by directly rolling over company plan assets to an IRA.

Consult an advisor

A qualified professional can assist you with setting retirement goals and developing a plan to achieve them.

Explore Your IRA Options

Traditional IRAs

Offer tax-deferred growth and the potential for tax-deductible contributions

Roth IRAs

Combine tax-deferred growth with tax-free withdrawals

Rollover IRAs

Allow tax- and penalty-free transfers from one tax-deferred account to another

 

Ready to get started?

For more specific information, you can visit www.irs.gov, and refer to Publication 590 - Individual Retirement Arrangements. Consult your advisor for helpful tips on building an investment portfolio, or simply go to the "Build your portfolio" section, to determine your retirement needs and other financial goals.

The information above is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for accounting, legal and tax advice or investment recommendations. The views and strategies described may not be suitable to all readers. Please contact your financial professional or tax advisor for additional information.