Get IRA Kit. Use This Kit To Learn About And Open A Vanguard Traditional Or Roth IRA.

With a Roth IRA, you contribute after-tax dollars, your money grows tax-free, and you can generally make tax- and penalty-free withdrawals after age 59½. With a Traditional IRA, you contribute pre- or after-tax dollars, your money grows tax-deferred, and withdrawals are taxed as current income after age 59½.

There are no penalties on withdrawals of Roth IRA contributions. But there's a 10% federal penalty tax on withdrawals of earnings. With a traditional IRA, there's a 10% federal penalty tax on withdrawals of both contributions and earnings.

How much do I need to open a Vanguard Roth IRA? The Vanguard Roth IRA itself doesn't have a minimum investment requirement. But the mutual funds you might want to invest in through that Roth do have minimum investments. They run from $1,000 on up at Vanguard.

Roth IRA – Disadvantages An obvious disadvantage of Roth IRA is its non-tax-deductible contributions. However, it can be offset by its tax-free distributions, especially when the future marginal tax rate is expected to be higher than the current marginal tax rate.

A Roth IRA or 401(k) makes the most sense if you're confident of having a higher income in retirement than you do now. If you expect your income (and tax rate) to be higher at present and lower in retirement, a traditional IRA or 401(k) is likely the better bet.

What is the difference between a traditional and a Roth IRA? In a traditional IRA, you pay your taxes after you retire whereas in a Roth IRA, you pay your taxes while you are still working and when you retire, you don't have to pay your taxes.

Cons Annual contributions are limited to only $6,000 for individuals ($7,000, if age 50 or older) If covered by a workplace retirement plan, tax deductibility is reduced/eliminated at higher incomes. Generally, a 10% penalty applies for distributions taken prior to age 59 1/2.

With a Roth IRA, you contribute money that you've already paid taxes on, and your withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. With a traditional IRA, your contributions are made pre-tax and grow tax-deferred (meaning you pay taxes later) until you withdraw your money in retirement.