Traditional IRA
News, insights and expert analysis on traditional ira from the team at Kiplinger.
The traditional IRA is one of the best options in the retirement-savings toolbox. You can open a traditional IRA at a bank or a brokerage, and the universe of investments is wide open to you. But with that freedom comes responsibility. Traditional IRAs have a lot of rules — break one and you could face a penalty. If you'd like to know more about IRAs, start with our beginner's guide: everything you should know about traditional IRAs then work your way through our other features and guides on smart strategies to ensure you can end up with a sizable chunk of change down the road.
Latest
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How to Avoid the Age 18 Exit Trap on Trump AccountsTrump Accounts offer an appealing head start, but their value hinges on carefully timing post-age-18 Roth conversions to avoid tax and financial aid pitfalls.
By Daniel Fagan, MSPFP®, MPAS™, AIF®
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5 Inherited IRA Moves to Make Before December 31The clock starts ticking the moment you inherit an IRA. Before year-end, make sure you're properly managing your withdrawals — and minimizing your taxes.
By Ben Fuchs, CFP®, CPWA®
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Roth IRAs: Convert an IRA or 401(k) to a Roth IRAAn IRA conversion can give you a leg-up in retirement with tax-free income. But proceed with caution.
By Maurie Backman
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Should You Convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth After 60?retirement You can convert an IRA to a Roth no matter how old you are. But if the conversion boosts your income, it could have tax consequences.
By Kimberly Lankford
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Roth Conversions: The Golden Tax Planning WindowIf a drop in income at retirement has put you in a lower tax bracket, find out whether tactical Roth conversions now could reduce your tax liability forever.
By Jeremy Keil, CFP®, CFA®, CKA®
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The Average IRA Balance by Age and Generation in 2026A 36% increase in contributions versus a year ago and a bull market in stocks powered the average IRA account balance to a 10% increase in the second quarter of 2026.
By Adam Shell
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Downsides of a Big IRA: Big Taxes for Your Spouse and KidsIf you start optimizing your taxes now, you can head off the inevitable tax consequences waiting for you when RMDs kick in — and when your family inherits.
By Ethan M. West, CPA
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How 401(k) Savers Just Triggered a Big Market ShiftRather than running to the sidelines or moving to cash when things get bumpy, seasoned savers are building up their balances and locking in long-term security.
By Donna LeValley
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You’ve Mastered Asset Allocation — Now It’s Time for Asset LocationIn our retirement advice column, Wealth Wise, a 66-year-old retiree learns how strategically placing your stocks, bonds, and cash can save you thousands.
By Maurie Backman
