Traditional & Roth IRAs
American Funds® IRAs offer tax-advantaged savings, a broad range of investment choices, low fees and superior service.
How it works
TRADITIONAL IRAS
You won’t pay taxes on your earnings until you make a withdrawal.
You may qualify for a tax deduction on contributions if you are within certain household income limits.
ROTH IRAS
Your contributions are made after you’ve already paid taxes on that money, so your contributions are always tax-exempt. Earnings are tax-exempt if the withdrawal is qualified.
No required minimum distributions (RMDs) during the account owner’s lifetime.
Eligibility
TRADITIONAL IRAS
You (or your spouse if filing a joint return) can contribute if you have taxable compensation (a salaried job, investments or other sources).
ROTH IRAS
You (or your spouse if filing a joint return) can contribute if you have taxable compensation and your income level is under certain limits. Income limits for 2021 are as follows:
Single filers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI)1 of:
$125,000 or less — full contribution
$125,001–$139,999 — partial contribution
$140,000 or more — not eligible
Joint filers with a MAGI of:
$198,000 or less — full contribution
$198,001–$207,999 — partial contribution
$208,000 or more — not eligible
Married, filing separately with a MAGI of:
$0–$9,999 — partial contribution
$10,000 or more — not eligible
Contribution limits2
TRADITIONAL IRAS
For 2021, individuals can contribute up to $6,000 (plus an additional $1,000 for those age 50 or over). Couples filing jointly can contribute up to $12,000 ($14,000 if both are age 50 or over).
ROTH IRAS
For 2021, individuals can contribute up to $6,000 (plus an additional $1,000 for those age 50 or over). Couples filing jointly can contribute up to $12,000 ($14,000 if both are age 50 or over). Contribution limits are reduced or eliminated at higher incomes, as shown in the Eligibility section above.
Setting up an account
You can invest in American Funds through most online brokers or by working with your financial professional. Don't have a financial professional?
Roll over an account
If you’re changing jobs or retiring, you can roll your money from an employer-sponsored retirement plan into an IRA to retain the tax-advantaged status of your savings, avoid potential withdrawal penalties and consolidate retirement accounts.
(A rollover of pretax savings from an employer plan to a traditional IRA is not a taxable event. A rollover of pretax savings to a Roth IRA is a taxable event.)
Investment options
Target date funds
Convenience
Select a target date fund that is based on your nearest anticipated retirement date.
A single investment provides a fund-of-funds portfolio of actively managed American Funds aligned with an investor’s time horizon.
Individual mutual funds
Customized
Build a retirement savings portfolio of American Funds tailored to your specific needs.
1 Modified gross adjusted income (MAGI) is calculated by subtracting certain expenses and allowable adjustments from gross income. To determine your MAGI, contact your tax advisor.
2 Future contribution limits may be adjusted for cost-of-living increases. Contributions for the current tax year must be made by April 15 of the following year, unless that date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. In those cases, the due date is delayed until the next business day.
Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.
Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectuses and summary prospectuses, which can be obtained from a financial professional and should be read carefully before investing.
Each target date portfolio is composed of a mix of underlying funds and is subject to the risks and returns of those funds. Underlying funds may be added or removed during the year. Although the target date portfolios are managed for investors on a projected retirement date time frame, the allocation strategy does not guarantee that investors' retirement goals will be met. The target date is the year that corresponds roughly to the year in which an investor is assumed to retire and begin taking withdrawals. Investment professionals manage the portfolio, moving it from a more growth-oriented strategy to a more income-oriented focus as the target date gets closer. Investment professionals continue to manage each portfolio for approximately 30 years after it reaches its target date.
This material does not constitute legal or tax advice. Investors should consult with their legal or tax advisors.
All Capital Group trademarks mentioned are owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc., an affiliated company or fund. All other company and product names mentioned are the property of their respective companies.
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American Funds Distributors, Inc., member FINRA.
This content, developed by Capital Group, home of American Funds, should not be used as a primary basis for investment decisions and is not intended to serve as impartial investment or fiduciary advice.