Traditional and Roth IRAs | HSBC

 

Traditional and Roth IRAs

What is an IRA?

An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a tax–advantaged retirement account that you own and control. Earnings generated can compound on a tax–deferred basis until withdrawal.

There are two types of IRAs: Traditional and Roth. Both types allow the same maximum annual contributions, based on your age. The maximum is reached when your combined contributions to all of your IRAs meets the limit. The two types of IRA differ in their qualifying criteria, withdrawal restrictions, and tax implications.

  • Traditional IRAs offer potential for tax-deductible contributions depending on your income level, participation in a workplace retirement plan, and marital status. Otherwise, contributions may be made post–tax.
  • Roth IRAs do not permit tax-deductible contributions. However, contributions with post-tax dollars can be withdrawn tax-free. If you are not eligible for tax-deductible contributions to a Traditional IRA due to a higher income, you may be eligible for a Roth IRA.

Compare IRAs side by side

Use the chart below to easily compare the features and qualifications of the two types of IRAs:

  Traditional IRA Roth IRA
Eligibility: Age You must be under age 70 ½ in the year the contribution is made No age limit
Eligibility: Income No income restrictions Those with 2012 modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) below $110,000 if single, or $173,000 if married and filing jointly may make full contributions

Those with 2012 MAGI equal to $110,000 but less than $125,000 if single, or $173,000 but less than $183,000 if married and filing jointly may make partial contributions

Those with 2012 MAGI equal to or greater than $125,000 if single, or $183,000 if married and filing jointly are ineligible to contribute
Maximum Annual Contribution Individual: $5,000

Married filing jointly: $10,000 (up to $5,000 each) 		Individual: $5,000

Married filing jointly: $10,000 (up to $5,000 each)
Catch up contribution If you are age 50 or older in the year of contribution, eligible IRA holders can make an additional contribution of $1,000 If you are age 50 or older in the year of contribution, eligible IRA holders can make an additional contribution of $1,000
Tax Implications: Contributions If you do not participate in an employer sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k), contributions are:

  • Fully deductible if you are single; married and your spouse is not covered by a plan at work; or married filing jointly with 2012 modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $173,000 or less and your spouse is covered by a plan at work
  • Partially deductible for those with 2012 MAGI equal to $173,000 but less than $183,000 if married filing jointly and your spouse is covered by a plan at work
  • Not deductible for those with 2012 MAGI greater than $183,000 if married filing jointly and your spouse is covered by a plan at work
  • Not deductible for those married filing separately with MAGI of $10,000 or more


If you do participate in an employer sponsored retirement plan, contributions are:

  • Fully deductible for those with 2012 modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) below $58,000 if single, or $92,000 if married and filing jointly
  • Partially deductible for those with 2012 MAGI equal to $58,000 but less than $68,000 if single, or $92,000 but less than $112,000 if married and filing jointly
  • Not deductible for those with 2012 MAGI greater than $68,000 if single, or $112,000 if married and filing jointly
 Contributions are not tax deductible
Tax Implications: Earnings Earnings are tax-deferred until withdrawn

 Earnings are not subject to federal tax penalties if withdrawn after age 59½ and held for 5 years

Earnings are tax-free if taken as part of a qualifying withdrawal
Tax Implications: Withdrawals After age 59½, withdrawals are not subject to federal tax penalties, but may be subject to federal and state income taxes

Withdrawals prior to age 59½ may be subject to federal and state income taxes, and a 10% federal tax penalty may apply except under certain circumstances such as:

  • You use the funds to purchase your first home ($10,000 lifetime limit)
  • You use the withdrawal to pay for certain higher education expenses
  • Certain conditions are met for qualifying medical or health insurance expenses
  • Withdrawals are made by your beneficiary after you die
 Contributions can be withdrawn at any time without penalty as long as held for five years

Earnings withdrawn before age 59½ may be subject to federal and state taxes plus a 10% federal tax penalty, except under certain circumstances such as:

  • You use the funds to purchase your first home ($10,000 lifetime limit)
  • You use the withdrawal to pay for certain higher education expenses
  • Certain conditions are met for qualifying medical or health insurance expenses
  • Withdrawals are made by your beneficiary after you die
Age for Required Distributions Distributions must begin by April 1 of the year after turning age 70½. Required minimum distributions are determined by dividing the prior year–end fair market value of the retirement account by the applicable distribution period or life expectancy There is no mandatory age for taking distributions

Call us at 866.586.4722 or email us to schedule your complimentary review.

Should You Convert to a Roth?

Did you know that anyone – regardless of income – can convert a Traditional IRA or distributions from different types of employer retirement plans to a Roth IRA? When evaluating a conversion, consider whether you have enough personal liquidity to avoid withdrawals from a Roth IRA in the first five years. If you must make such withdrawals after converting, the earnings portion is taxable, and the full amount of the withdrawal may be subject to a 10% IRS penalty, unless an exception applies.

After consultation with your independent tax advisor, an HSBC Securities financial professional1 can help you assess conversion strategies and compare Roth IRA choices. Call us at 866.586.4722 or email us  for a complimentary meeting to explore the risks, benefits, and other considerations of converting your retirement plan to a Roth IRA.

1HSBC Securities financial professional refers to Financial Advisors and Licensed Sales Professionals. Financial Advisors provide a full suite of investment products that are available with HSBC based on individualized customer financial needs and objectives. Licensed Sales Professionals have access to more simplified product sets created to meet customers' key life-cycle needs, e.g., education, retirement, wealth transfers.

Investment and Annuity products are provided by Registered Representatives and Insurance Agents of HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC, a registered Futures Commission Merchant, a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Markets (USA) Inc., and an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc. In California, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., conducts insurance business as HSBC Securities Insurance Services. License #: 0E67746. Insurance Agents of HSBC Insurance Agency (USA) Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Bank USA, N.A., and an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, offers Insurance products issued by third-party insurance carriers. Products and services may vary by state and are not available in all states. California license #: 0D36843.


Investment, Annuity and Insurance Products:
ARE NOT A BANK DEPOSIT OR OBLIGATION OF THE BANK OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES ARE NOT FDIC INSURED ARE NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY ARE NOT GUARANTEED BY THE BANK OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES MAY LOSE VALUE

All decisions regarding the tax implications of your investment(s) should be made in connection with your independent tax advisor.

United States persons (including U.S. citizens and residents) are subject to U.S. taxation on their worldwide income and may be subject to tax and other filing obligations with respect to their U.S. and non–U.S. accounts – including, for example, Form TD F 90–22.1 (Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts ("FBAR")). U.S. persons should consult a tax adviser for more information.

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