How to Set Up a Retirement Savings Account

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It's never too early — or too late — to start saving for your retirement.

To complete this How-To you will need:

An investment provider
Money to contribute

Step 1: Know your rights

Realize that even if you are already contributing to your company's 401(k) plan, you are free to establish an individual retirement account, or IRA, as well.

Step 2: Think about a Roth IRA

Weigh the advantages of a Roth IRA. Taxes are taken at the get-go so you can withdraw money tax-free in your golden years. You may remove money, penalty-free, before age 59.5 for certain reasons, like buying a home, you may keep your money in it as long as you like, and you may continue paying into it past age 70.5 if you have earned income.

Step 3: Consider an IRA

Consider a traditional IRA, which lets you defer paying taxes on the money you invest until you start withdrawing it at retirement. You can't contribute to an IRA past your 70th birthday, and you must begin taking distributions six months after that.

Tip: To qualify for a Roth IRA, your modified adjusted gross income can't exceed a certain amount. Check the Internal Revenue Service website (at irs.gov) for current limits.

Step 4: Investigate providers

Find an IRA provider to set up your account. Options include banks, brokerage houses, mutual fund companies, credit unions, and insurance companies. Banks and credit unions put money in CDs, insurance companies park your IRA dollars in annuities, and brokerage and mutual fund companies let you pick stocks, bonds, and funds.

Step 5: Ask about fees

Before picking an IRA provider, ask about fees and commissions.

Step 6: Diversify your investments

Diversify your investments so that you're mixing stocks (both U.S. and foreign), bonds, real estate, and commodities. Check out the index funds offered at brokerage houses; they offer low-cost diversification.

Step 7: Learn about self-directed IRAs

If you're financially savvy and want to be a real estate speculator or help finance a new business, consider opening a self-directed IRA, which allows you to grow your retirement fund in nontraditional ways. To open one, search online for "self-directed IRA custodians."

Step 8: Make investing automatic

Make contributions to your IRA automatic by having them withdrawn from your bank account or paycheck.

Step 9: Put in the maximum

Put in the maximum allowed every year. You'll thank us later.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• hothowtos
• finance
• personal
• retire
• planning
• setting
• opening
• creating
• saving
• money
• 401

[AndrewXAnarchy]

Fir. . . Oh wait, I have a life.

[jaystreete]

I got a retirement savings plan on my 18th Birthday. They're a good thing to have!!

[KACSolutions]

Good stuff! I wish I knew this at age 18. I am making up for lost time with the 24 month retirement plan that just came out last year.

[TransformRetirement]

Excellent tips on the retirement savings plan!

[RetirementMedia]

Good info for beginners

[Dam0nz]

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[defendant420]

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[Fauzanhogan]

Did You Know That Brad Pitt Has One!?