Investment Insight - IRA (Individual Retirement Account) can potentially generate higher returns compared to a typical savings account [1] Key Consideration - The report highlights essential IRA facts for consideration [1]

How best to take RMDs from your 401(k) or IRA? For most investors, it’s best to take withdrawals monthly in equal installments, research finds https://t.co/wOVel3IZof ...

Retirement Savings Account - A revoked IRA is a retirement savings account canceled by the account holder within seven days of creation [1]

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) Overview - Individuals generally must take their first RMD by April 1st of the year after turning 73, with subsequent RMDs required by December 31st each year; those born after 1960 have their first RMD at age 75 [1][2][3] - Failure to take the required distribution may result in a 25% tax on the undistributed amount [2] - RMD calculation involves dividing the total balance of tax-deferred retirement accounts (IRA, 401k, 403b) at the end of the previous tax year by the IRS's life expectancy factor for the individual's age [1][3] - Financial institutions typically calculate and inform clients of their RMD amount by the end of December [7] RMD Exceptions and Special Cases - An exception exists for individuals still working at the company sponsoring their 401k plan; they may not need to take RMDs until retirement [9] - Higher investment returns lead to higher RMDs, as the calculation is based on the account's value at the end of the previous year [10][11] - All individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are now viewed as one giant massive IRA for RMD purposes [13] - Aggregate RMDs from all IRAs must be fully satisfied before any distribution from any IRA can be converted into a Roth IRA, otherwise a 6% excess contribution penalty may apply [13][14] Inherited IRAs and the 10-Year Rule - Beneficiaries inheriting an IRA must empty the account within 10 years of the original owner's death [14] - If the original IRA owner died before their Required Beginning Date (RBD), beneficiaries do not have to take RMDs during years 1 through 9 but must empty the account by the end of the 10th year [16] - If the original IRA owner died on or after their RBD, beneficiaries must take an annual stretch distribution during years 1 through 9 and then take out the remaining balance by the end of the 10th year [17] Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) - Individuals can use their RMD to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to a nonprofit organization [18] - The money must go directly from the IRA to the nonprofit to avoid being counted as taxable income [18][19] - There are limits to QCDs, such as up to $100,000 that can be donated [19]

Contribution Limits - The document highlights a significant difference in maximum annual contributions between 401(k) and IRA accounts [1] - This difference applies regardless of whether the account is a Roth or traditional type [1]

IRA Taxation - Mutual fund sales and other transactions within an IRA are subject to tax regulations [1] - The report addresses whether a sale within an IRA triggers an early withdrawal penalty [1]

Retirement Planning & Investment Vehicles - 401(k) plans offer tax-deferred investment opportunities, allowing pre-tax contributions and tax-free compounding until withdrawal [6][11][12] - Employer matching of 401(k) contributions is considered "free money" and should be taken advantage of [16] - Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) offer the same tax-favored status as 401(k)s but may provide more investment flexibility and lower fees [17][19] - Roth IRAs allow contributions with after-tax income, offering tax-free withdrawals in retirement, particularly beneficial for individuals in lower tax brackets [88][89][97] - The author advocates for increasing the IRA contribution limit to $10,000 per year [86][87] Investment Strategies & Advice - Younger investors should consider investing primarily in stocks, taking on more risk due to their longer time horizon to recover from potential losses [25][46][47] - Paying off high-interest credit card debt should be a priority before investing, as the interest can erode investment returns [38][39] - Saving early and consistently is crucial for achieving financial freedom, and the stock market can be a tool to encourage saving [36][43][44] - A low-cost S&P 500 index fund is a suitable option for passive investing, especially for those who lack the time or expertise to pick individual stocks [23][70][74] - Actively managed mutual funds often underperform their benchmarks due to high fees and incentives focused on asset gathering rather than performance [62][63][68] Saving for Education - 529 plans are recommended for college savings, offering tax-free growth and withdrawals for qualified education expenses [102][106] - Frontloading a 529 plan with up to $85,000 (single) or $170,000 (married filing jointly) can maximize the benefits of compounding [109][110]

IRA Products - Fidelity is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Traditional IRA [1] - Fidelity is highlighting the Rollover IRA [1] Regulatory Information - Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC is a member of NYSE and SIPC [1] - The address of Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC is 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917 [1]

Next up on our tour of IRA types: the Roth IRA. Do you have a Roth? If so, what do you like the most about it? Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917 1194784.5.0 ...