Choosing the Right Type of IRA for Your Goals

IRAs are powerful retirement tools, but not all IRAs work the same way. Choosing the right type depends on how you expect your income and tax situation to change over time.

Understanding Traditional vs. Roth IRAs

The main difference comes down to when you pay taxes.

• Traditional IRAs often provide tax deductions now, with taxes due later
• Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax dollars, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free

How Taxes Influence the Decision

Your current income, future income expectations, and tax environment all matter when choosing an IRA.

Questions to consider:

• Will your tax rate likely be higher or lower later?
• Do you value tax deductions now or tax-free income later?
• How flexible do you want withdrawals to be?

Contribution and Withdrawal Rules

Each IRA type comes with specific rules that affect access and planning flexibility.

Understanding these rules helps avoid penalties and surprises.

Using IRAs as Part of a Bigger Plan

IRAs work best when they’re part of a coordinated retirement strategy—not in isolation.

Stridemark helps clients evaluate IRA options in the context of income planning, tax strategy, and long-term goals to support smarter decisions.