Roth vs. traditional: Which is better?
When considering how you want to save for retirement, one decision you may face is whether you’d like to delay paying taxes on your contributions until you withdraw them or pay taxes now in order to enjoy tax-free income later. Your decision will help you choose between contributing to a traditional retirement plan or a Roth plan, if your employer offers both.
To make that choice, you should compare your current tax status with what you think it may be in retirement. That is, if you’re in a higher tax bracket now than you could be in retirement, going the traditional route might make more sense. On the other hand, if you’re in a lower tax bracket now than you expect to be in retirement, going the Roth route might make more sense.
Here are more differences and similarities to consider before you decide.
How they're similar
Maximum contribution
- The IRS imposes an annual maximum contribution limit
- Individuals age 50 or older can make additional contributions up to the catch-up limit
Eligibility
- For IRAs, individuals must have earned income; this can come from being paid by someone else or through your own business or farm
- For 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans, individuals must be employed by the plan sponsor or have employment compensation, depending on plan type
Contribution deadline
- For IRAs, by the annual income tax filing deadline
- For 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans, by the end of the day on December 31
How they differ
| Roth |
Traditional |
How they are taxed
- Contributions are made with after-tax income and are always withdrawn tax-free
- Earnings are tax-free as long as the withdrawal is taken at least 5 years after the first contribution to the Roth plan and one of the following conditions is met: age 59½ or older, disability, qualified first-time home purchase, or death
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How they are taxed
- Depending on plan type, contributions may be tax deductible or made pre-tax
- Contributions and earnings will be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn
- Withdrawals taken from most plan types before age 59½ may be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty
- Withdrawals from 457(b) accounts may be taken without penalty after the participant is no longer employed by the plan sponsor, regardless of age, or for a qualifying hardship
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Income limit
- Income limits apply
- 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans, up to 100% of taxable wages and benefits
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Income limit
- For IRAs, no income limits apply (in most cases)
- 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans, up to 100% of taxable wages and benefits
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Required minimum distributions
- Roth IRAs, none during original accountholder’s lifetime
- Roth 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans, for tax years 2022 and 2023, starting at age 72 (or age 73 if you reach 72 after 2022); starting in tax year 2024, none during original accountholder's lifetime
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Required minimum distributions
- Starting at age 73 if you turn 72 after 2022; starting at age 75 if you turn 74 after 2032
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sources:
https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plan-and-ira-required-minimum-distributions-faqs
https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmds
https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-designated-roth-account#:~:text=A%20designated%20Roth%20account%20is,are%20excluded%20from%20gross%20income
Consider getting the benefits of both
If predicting your future tax status seems like a complete shot in the dark, you might contribute to a traditional and a Roth account in the same year, assuming your employer offers a Roth option. This would allow you to take advantage of tax benefits both now and later. As long as you do not contribute more than the IRS and plan limits, this approach can be a smart way to prepare for your retirement income needs.
