A Roth IRA is a type of individual retirement account that gives holders more flexibility in managing their savings and allows them to grow their assets tax-free. 

The name comes from Senator William Roth, who was instrumental in its creation. 

Contributions

You make contributions to a Roth IRA with after-tax dollars. This means you don't get an immediate tax deduction for your contributions, unlike Traditional IRAs or 401(k)s. 

You can contribute to your Roth IRAs as long as you have earned income and meet certain income limits set by the IRS.

As of 2023, the upper limit of Roth IRA contributions is $6,500, or $7,500 for those over the age of 50. 

Tax-Free Growth

Once your money is inside a Roth IRA, it can grow tax-free. You won't owe any capital gains tax, dividend tax, or interest tax on the earnings generated by your investments within the account. 

This is a significant advantage because it allows your investments, such as bonds, stocks and funds to compound without being eroded by taxes. 

Withdrawals

The primary benefit of a Roth IRA comes when you start taking withdrawals in retirement. If you meet certain requirements, withdrawals from a Roth IRA are entirely tax-free. 

To qualify for tax-free withdrawals, you generally need to be at least 59½ years old and have held the account for at least five years. This makes Roth IRAs a valuable tool for tax-efficient retirement income planning.

No Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

Unlike Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s, Roth IRAs do not have required minimum distributions (RMDs) during your lifetime. 

This means you can leave your money in the account and let it continue to grow tax-free for as long as you like.

This is particularly useful for estate planning because you can pass the Roth IRA to your heirs without them being subject to immediate taxes.

Income Limits

Roth IRAs have income limits that determine who can contribute directly to them. These limits can change annually, so it's essential to check the current limits.

Income limits for 2023 are less than $153,000 for single tax filers, and less than $228,000 for those married, and filing jointly.

If your income exceeds these limits, you may still be able to use a strategy called a "backdoor Roth IRA" to contribute indirectly.

Flexible Withdrawals

While the primary purpose of a Roth IRA is retirement savings, you can withdraw your contributions (but not earnings) at any time without penalties or taxes. This flexibility can be useful in emergencies or for other financial goals. 

• A Roth IRA is a type of individual retirement account that gives account holders flexibility in how to manage their savings and when to withdraw
• Roth IRAs have no required minimum distributions and allow holders to grow their savings tax-free
• Roth IRAs have income limits in place that determine who can contribute to them
• Account holders can withdraw funds from their Roth IRAs without any penalties or taxes