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An individual retirement account (IRA) is a form of investment account that people can use to save money for their future. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 saw the US government establish IRAs (ERISA). IRAs are designed to give people a tax-advantaged way to invest for their retirement.
IRAs come in two basic varieties: regular IRAs and Roth IRAs. The money in a typical IRA grows tax-free up until it is withdrawn, and contributions may be tax-deductible in the year they are made. Yet, when the money is taken, income tax is due. Contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax deductible, but the money grows tax-free and withdrawals are tax-free if certain conditions are met.
Generally speaking, IRAs are created to offer income throughout retirement. There are yearly caps on both regular and Roth IRA contributions, and there are fees associated with early withdrawals. These laws do have some exceptions, though, such when it comes to specific medical costs or first-time house purchases.
Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and other types of assets are among the investments that can be made through IRAs (ETFs). Self-directed IRAs, which let investors choose their own investments including real estate, precious metals, and other alternative investments, are offered by some financial institutions.
