IRAs & Roth
Roth vs. traditional IRA: how they differ
A plain-English comparison of traditional and Roth IRAs: when each one is taxed, who can contribute or deduct, and how withdrawals and required distributions work.
4 min read
Topic
IRAs & Roth
Traditional and Roth IRAs, conversions, income rules and accounts for the self-employed.
6 articles
IRAs & Roth
IRA contribution limits and income rules for 2026 and 2027
The annual IRA contribution limit, the catch-up amount at 50, and the income ranges that limit Roth IRA contributions and traditional IRA deductions, by tax year.
4 min read
IRAs & Roth
Roth conversions explained
What a Roth conversion is, how the converted amount is taxed, the rules on timing and reversals, and the side effects of adding income to a single tax year.
4 min read
IRAs & Roth
SEP and SIMPLE IRAs: retirement accounts for the self-employed and small businesses
How SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs work, who contributes, the 2026 and 2027 contribution limits, and the main tradeoffs between the two small-business plans.
4 min read
IRAs & Roth
The "backdoor Roth IRA": what the term means
An explanation of the two-step arrangement people call a backdoor Roth IRA, the pro-rata rule that often makes it partly taxable, and the paperwork involved.
4 min read
IRAs & Roth
The Roth IRA five-year rules
There are two separate five-year periods for Roth IRAs. One decides when earnings come out tax-free; the other applies to converted money withdrawn before age 59½.
4 min read