Whether you’re getting close to retirement age or you’re just beginning to look into retirement planning, it is important to understand how each type of retirement account fits into your overall retirement plan. Common retirement accounts, such as the Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and HSA, each play their own role in a well-rounded retirement strategy. Knowing how to utilize each type of account will allow you to develop the best retirement plan for your personal retirement goals.
Each plan type offers a different tax advantage. Traditional IRAs are traditionally thought of as providing tax advantages when funds are placed in the account, and Roth IRAs delay the advantages until funds are removed from the account. While this is generally true, there are many factors that can affect the personal advantages of any particular account. These factors can include the age at which you plan to retire, your current tax bracket, the tax bracket you will be in post-retirement, the cost of living where you plan to retire, and the performance of other investments outside of your retirement accounts. A study of each account’s tax advantages and how those advantages will interact with the factors above may help you to create a personalized retirement plan.
For self directed IRA account holders, determining which accounts will best suit your retirement goals can seem complex. Just because you have a self-directed account does not mean you are alone on your retirement journey. SDIRA account holders can utilize the services of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), Certified Financial Planners (CFPs), RIAs, trusted friends, and others to form a financial team. This team can help you discover the right combination of retirement accounts for your goals while you maintain the independence that comes with self-direction.
One account to consider for your well-rounded retirement plan is a Health Savings Account. An HSA can help you plan for those medical bills that may be incurred after you retire, allowing you to use your IRA funds to pay for other things. Not only can your HSA help you save for future medical costs, but you may also invest your funds to help grow your account’s value. The HSA also provides another advantage. After the account is opened, any medical costs incurred and paid out-of-pocket may be reimbursed from the HSA at any time in the future. Your financial team can help you determine how best to utilize a HSA as part of your plan.
New Direction IRA is proud to be a part of your personalized retirement plan. The self directed IRAs and HSAs we provide allow you to diversify your retirement investments, use your personal expertise to invest in what you know, and adjust to changing market conditions. We offer education to account holders and non-account holders alike, as well as providing continuing education to CPAs, CFPs, and other members of your financial team so you can make the best decisions possible for your self-directed retirement plan.
