Understanding all the Roth IRA rules may seem difficult, but if you plan on adding to your Roth IRA as a part of your portfolio in order to secure a stable and enjoyable retirement, it makes sense to have all of the current information regarding the current IRS regulations concerning the Roth.
5 Answers to Roth IRA Rules for 2017:
Plus, you want to have a grasp of the current IRA rules for any given year. And with 2017 well under way, many people are already planning their retirement contributions and looking forward to what 2018 might bring.
If you made the maximum contribution amount into your Roth for 2017 and are thinking about saving for next year’s contribution, you may also want to know what the new limits are – as well as the new income caps.
Or maybe you've just got your eye on the tax season. No matter what, you should be well aware of all of the latest details before you start making decisions about your IRA. Fortunately, we have all the answers in a single article – and you just happen to be reading it.
Here's a look at the Roth IRA rules for 2017.
As to be expected, there are some differences in the Roth IRA rules for 2017 that help this type of account stand out from previous years.
As of late last year, the IRS has revealed it current Roth IRA rules for 2017. This data was based on a variety of factors and figures and includes inflation statistics that they used to come up with new limits for the contributions.
Need to open a Roth IRA?
My favorite online broker is Trade King but you can check out our recap on the best places to open a Roth IRA and the best online stock broker sign up bonuses.
There are many good options out there, but I have had the best overall experience with Trade King. No matter which option you choose the most important thing with any investing is to get started! Check out my post on the best short term investments as well for more info!
2017 Roth IRA Rules You Should Be Aware Of
1. Contribution Limits Stayed the Same
Standard Roth IRA contribution limits stayed the same as last year, with $5,500 being the limit any individual can contribute. In addition , plan participants ages 50 and over still have a limit of $6,500, which is commonly referred to as the “catch up contribution.” You can also contribute to your ira up until tax day of the following year.
| Contribution Year | 49 and Under | 50 and Over (Catch Up) |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | $5,000 | $6,000 |
| 2010 | $5,000 | $6,000 |
| 2011 | $5,000 | $6,000 |
| 2012 | $5,000 | $6,000 |
| 2013 | $5,500 | $6,500 |
| 2014 | $5.500 | $6,500 |
| 2015 | $5.500 | $6,500 |
| 2016 | $5.500 | $6,500 |
2. Roth IRA Phase-out Limits Have Increased
Although contribution limits stayed the same, other information released in the 2017 Roth IRA rules show some changes.
For example, the AGI phase-out range for tax payers making contributions to their Roth's is now between $184,000 and $194,000 for couples who file jointly. While this range is slightly higher than the year before, it’s not a huge change.
A similar increase took place for singles who file taxes and contribute to a Roth IRA. As of 2017, the range where phase-outs begin now starts at $117,000 and ends at $132,000. Meanwhile, married individuals who file separately and have been actively participating in an employer-sponsored retirement plan should see no changes in the phase-out range.
3. Direct 401k Rollovers Into Roth IRA's is S-I-M-P-L-E
Another rule that remained the same but still offers more opportunity than was available prior to 2010 concerns direct rollovers for 401(k) to a Roth IRA.
The process used to require you to open a traditional IRA account, then rollover your 401(k) into it, and end by opening a Roth account and converting the traditional IRA into a Roth.
In 2010, this changed by skipping a step, letting you convert it directly from the 401(k) to a Roth IRA. It’s less of pain and there is certainly less unnecessary paperwork.
Learn about all the rules of rolling over your 401k into a Roth IRA.
4. Roth IRA Conversions Continue
In 2017, the rules are the same as 2010. However, there is no longer a two year deferral option to report the income. Whatever is converted in 2017 must be reported in 2017, along with any amounts that must be reported as half of a 2010 conversion. The income limits disappeared permanently after 2009.
Want more information on the Roth IRA Conversion? You can see more on the conversion tax rules regarding after tax contributions.
5. “Take Back” Still in Effect (IRA Recharacterization)
If you initiate a Roth IRA conversion and then decide it wasn't the best idea, you're in luck. You're allowed a “take back” in the form of a recharacterization. The recharacterization deadline is 10/15 of the following year. If you did the Roth IRA conversion in 2016, you would have until 10/15/2017.
6. *NEWER RULE* Roth Conversions from Your Existing 401k
This new option was released a few years ago in the Small Business Tax bill.
First things first. If you are still working, are at 59.5 in age, and your plan allows it, you can do what's called an in-service distribution with your 401(k) into an IRA. Once you reach the IRA, you then, of course, can do the conversion. What you might not know is that some plans allow you to take out certain “parts” of your 401(k) balance.
The key here is “parts.” You still aren't able to distribute your entire 401(k) balance to then do a conversion. Where the rules change a bit is regarding the employer profit sharing and employer contributions. These two type of contributions are available for the in-service distribution provided they meet this criteria:
- The money has been in there for at least 2 years.
- You, the employee, has been in the plan for at least 5 years; or you've reached an age that has been satisfied according to your plan documents.
Please note: If you have rolled over an IRA or old 401k into your current 401k or you have contributed after-tax contributions, those will be allowed for an in-service distribution. This is providing the plan document allows it.
7. If You Can't Convert to Roth IRA…What About Roth 401k?
If don't qualify for the in-service distribution, you don’t have to throw in the towel quite yet. The IRS just released guidance about the possibility of converting your 401(k) to a Roth 401(k). However, in order to qualify or even entertain this option, you must have a Roth 401(k) option with your current plan.
In other words, no Roth 401(k) option = no conversion.
Another important consideration: Unlike the Roth IRA conversion, there is NOT an option to recharacterize with a conversion to a Roth 401(k).
The key to all this is dependent on your 401(k) plan, and unfortunately, they are all different. The best thing to do is to check with your HR department to see if any of these options are available.
Here's another piece of advice: If your employer doesn't offer it, stay on them and continue asking for the retirement perks you really want. A little bit of pressure and persistence never hurts, and they may end up adding the option if they see there is a demand.
Benefits people wanted this option to allow plans to retain assets that otherwise would be distributed out of the plans for Roth IRA conversions. Here is the IRS release on these conversions: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-10-84.pdf.
Does it Apply to 403b's?
If you'll look into the IRS publication, you will see that the in-service Roth IRA conversions can also apply to 403b's. Once again: Double check with your plan administrator. Notice a theme here?
More from GFC, Below
Best Roth IRA Account Options
There are many brokerage firm options for you to open a Roth IRA with, but which one is best? Each broker is going to have different strengths depending on your investing experience and goals.
The new investor that is just getting started might want to consider opening an account with E*TRADE . Meanwhile, a more experienced trader could really benefit from all the tools offered by Scottrade or TD Ameritrade.
Which broker is right for you? At the end of the day, it all depends on your situation.
We maintain two Roth IRA resources for readers, and both of them are a good read if you’re ready to open a Roth IRA:
- a list of the best places to open Roth IRA will walk you through the best account opening options
- a list of the best online stock broker sign up bonuses shows you which brokerage firm offers the best bonus for your account size
Scottrade
Scottrade is one of our favorite brokers thanks to their low trading costs, excellent online interface, and 500+ branch locations across the country that you can walk into for help.
Even though Scottrade doesn't offer a sign up bonus for opening a Roth IRA, we still love this brokerage firm. (And if you are just starting out investing you probably don't have $10,000 to $25,000 needed to get really big brokerage sign up bonuses.)
E*Trade
For those just starting out and trying to build up a great investing habit, E*Trade is one of the best brokerage firms to go with.
Your trades are rock bottom priced at just $4.95 when you do automatic investing.
That automatic investing will, over time, help you build a large portfolio. You don't have to have all of the money to invest today as long as you can commit to building up your funds over time.
E*Trade helps you do just that. The interface is simple, and if you can get up to $1000 in free trades for signing up.
Don't read a bunch of information and put off opening a Roth IRA. Your retirement can't wait. Get started today and choose one of the above accounts to open your first Roth IRA. Not sure which account you want? Check out the best places to open Roth IRA and the best online stock broker sign up bonuses.
Benefits of a Roth IRA
Obviously, there are certain benefits that come with investing in your Roth with only after-tax dollars. For starters, being able to invest with after-tax dollars offers the distinct advantage of letting your money grow tax-free in this case. When you’re ready to take distributions at retirement age, you won’t have to worry about how the tax landscape has changed, or whether or not you’re at a lower or higher tax bracket than you were before.
Because of this, many financial professionals believe that having a Roth IRA is one of the best ways to diversify your tax liability. By having different types of accounts – including some that tax distributions and a Roth IRA, which does not – you can shield yourself from any unknown changes that could take place within our tax system.
With any type of retirement account, you’ll owe taxes now – or you’ll owe taxes later. Paying taxes on your money now and investing in a Roth IRA means you’ll pay up now, but manage to shield yourself from paying taxes on those funds in the future.
Since many people believe income taxes could be considerably higher in the future, this is often seen as a pretty sweet deal.
Lastly, you can withdraw your contributions to a Roth IRA without penalty at any time, which is why the Roth is also used a long-term savings vehicle for many people. Please note, however, that you can only withdraw contributions without penalty until the age of 59 ½. If you want to withdraw earnings, you’ll pay a 10% federal penalty tax.
Disadvantages of Having a Roth IRA
Of course, not everyone likes the setup and structure of Roth IRA accounts. For starters, the low contribution limit of $5,500 for 2017 ($6,500 for individuals ages 50 and over) isn’t nearly enough to make or break your retirement. That’s why most financial professionals suggest contributing to a Roth IRA only after (or in conjunction with) maxing out your tax-advantaged retirement accounts.
Second, the income caps that government enacts on Roth IRAs severely limit the number of people who can make the full contribution. Third, some people approach Roth IRAs with feelings of trepidation due to a general distrust of the government. Just because you are promised tax-free distributions twenty, thirty, or even forty years from now, doesn’t mean the economy won’t change so much that the rules are forced to change.
Hopefully that won’t happen and Roth IRA distributions will remain tax-free for the long haul, but many investors fear the worst. After all, thirty years from now is practically a lifetime away.
6 Reasons to Get a Roth IRA
Although Roth IRAs are far from perfect, no retirement savings vehicle offers terms that everyone will love. In the real world, there are plenty of reasons a Roth IRA could be the perfect addition to your long-term savings and retirement strategy. Here are 6 times when a Roth IRA makes perfect sense:
1. You think you’ll be in a higher tax bracket when you retire.
If you think you’ll be in a higher tax bracket when you retire, or have reason to believe taxes will be higher across the board, contributing to a Roth IRA now might be a tax-savvy move. By contributing with after-tax dollars that were charged a lower tax rate now, you can save money by not paying taxes on your distributions later. At least in theory, this is how it is supposed to work.
2. You want to diversify your exposure to taxes.
If you’re contributing to tax-advantaged retirement accounts in addition to a Roth IRA, you’re in the best position to diversify your exposure to taxes – both now, and in the future. All of us will pay now, or we’ll pay later, but by having traditional retirement accounts and a Roth, you’ll experience a little bit of both.
3. You’re already maxing out your work-sponsored retirement accounts.
If you’re maxing out your tax-advantaged retirement accounts and still want to save more for retirement, a Roth IRA might be a smart bet. After all, it just gives you another place to stash away your retirement dollars – and the money you invest could grow considerably over time.
4. You want to invest for retirement, but think you might need to get your money out one day.
Since you can deduct your contributions from a Roth IRA at any time without penalty, a lot of people use them as a form of long-term savings. They may not think they’ll need to access that money, but they want to leave the door open to the option. A Roth IRA is a smart place to invest your money if you know that you may need it before retirement. However, it’s important to note that a Roth IRA will inevitably have more risk than other long-term savings vehicles like Certificates of Deposit (CDs) or savings accounts. With a Roth IRA, you can actually lose money.
5. You want flexibility in terms of when you take withdrawals.
Where 401(k) plans and traditional IRAs force you to begin taking withdrawals at age 70 1/2 at risk of paying a large penalty if you don’t comply, the Roth IRA has no such requirement. Therefore, this type of account is a great option for anyone who doesn’t want the hassle of forced distributions when they get old enough.
6. A Roth IRA is a solid estate-planning tool – at least when it comes to taxes.
If you don’t think you’ll need every penny of your retirement funds, a Roth IRA is a great place to stash away your extra dollars. Since distributions are generally tax-free, you can usually leave your account to your heirs, which will allow them to take tax-free distributions.
With your tax-advantaged retirement accounts, on the other hand, your heirs will need to pay income taxes on your retirement funds as they withdraw them.
The Bottom Line
If you think a Roth IRA might be in your future, don’t delay. Get started now by choosing one of the above accounts to get started with. Not sure which account you want? Our posts on the best places to open Roth IRA and the best online stock brokers can help you figure out which broker will work best for your retirement goals, and your personal investing style.
Sources:
- Treas. Reg. § 1.401-1(b) (1)(ii) and Revenue Rulings 71-295 and 68-24
- http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-10-84.pdf
This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.
I had a 401K account with the company I was working last year. On September I go laid off and retired , too. I’m 68 years old. I transferred the 401K to and IRA ac.
Will be good to change my IRA ac to a Roth IRA now to avoid the taxes when I will get 70 1/2 years old. Is it possible?
Which is the procedure to change from my IRA ac to a Roth IRA ac. ? Is it good to do it for saving money?
Thanks
Hi Edward – It will make sense to do a Roth conversion if you want to avoid required minimum distributions (RMDs) when you turn 70 1/2. In the Roth account, you’ll be able to let the money grow for the rest of your life, and take distributions only when you want. But please sit down with your tax preparer to determine if the conversion makes sense from a tax standpoint. You don’t want to do the conversion while you have a high tax rate, only to save the money from lower taxes when you start taking distributions.
Hi, I am still considering opening an roth 401 from the company I worked right now. Is that thing is the same as roth ira? If not, can I apply in a bank or any institutions outside my company for roth ira? Can I just contribute for 3 years only? How long do I have to contribute for roth ira?
Thanks
Mina
Hi Mina – You should take advantage of the Roth 401k at work. You can payroll deduct right into it. Also, the employer might make a matching contribution into your regular 401k so that will be extra money. You can also set up your own Roth IRA, but contributions will be limited to $5,500/$6,500 per year between the two accounts. You can contribute for just three years, as there is no time requirement on contributions.
My husband will retire on May 1 of this year. Are we eligible to contribute to our Roth IRAs through the end of this year? (2017) Or must we stop all contributions once he is no longer employed? I am aware that we can contribute for 2016 through April 17, but he will receive a sizable check for unused vacation…but those funds will not be available to us until AFTER his official retirement date. Thank.
Lani Miller
Hi Lani – You can make a Roth contribution for any year in which you have earned income, and that seems to be the case for 2017. Also, you can’t make a Roth contribution for more than you earned. So if his earned income was $4,000, the contribution will be limited to $4,000, even though the maximum is $5,500/6,500.
If I added only $3500 to ROTH (for year 2015) before April 15 2016, but later added $2000 to max out my ROTH (for year 2015), do I need to amend my 2015 tax return?
@maya If the amount you contributed to your Roth IRA is different than what you reported to the IRS then I would definitely amend your tax return.
Thanks Jeff!
I transferred approximately $50M FROM MY IRA TO MAY R0TH IRA .CAN I TRANSFER $25M BACK TO REDUCE MY RMD. DAVE KWEDER
Hi David – I’m not sure exactly what happened. Is the transfer you’re referring to an RMD? If so, you can’t transfer the money back to reduce the RMD. Please discuss this with your tax preparer as there will be personal circumstances that can change the outcome, one way or another.
Consider: I contribute $5500 dollars in 2016 and it is invested and I make $1000. In 2016 I also withdraw $4500.
1) Can I add the $4500 back before the end of 2016 tax year without “over contributing”?
2) If I am only able to add back $3500, will the IRS see my total contributions as $2500, or will I be penalized for not removing the gains associated with my withdrawal?
Hi Davis – Wow, that’s a real theory question. Even if you could do it, I think the in-and-out will invite IRS attention so I’d strongly recommend against it. A CPA might tell you otherwise, but I’m of the opinion that returning either $4500 or $3500 could be classified as an excess contribution subject to stiff penalties. It might be better to use the withdrawn funds to make a contribution in 2017. But please discuss this with a CPA before proceeding as you might find yourself in a bit of a mess. I get what you’re describing in theory, but I don’t know if the IRS will see it that way.
I have a 401k from my previous employer but for the last 6mths i’very lost almost &5 thousands dollar and I’m afraid if I don’t so something with my money now then i’ll ended up losing all of it. I’ve been looking into a Roth ira or traditional ira not sure which one would benefit right now.
Hi Kerlyne – You can also lose money in a traditional or Roth IRA. The potential for loss is a part of investing, and it can’t be avoided with even the best investment strategies. That said, there are 401k plans that have such poor investment options that you’re more likely to lose money. If you suspect that’s the case, then you might rollover the 401k into a self-directed account. Just remember that you will have to pay tax on the conversion to a Roth IRA, but not on a traditional IRA.
I’m 37 now. I have savings, 401k, and a traditional ira from a previous job. I want to open more ira/savings options for myself and my wife for retirement. Would you recommend laddering ira cds(are these limited to the 5500 a year as well), opening a new roth ira for both of us, or even laddering tradition cds at this point. Also with the traditional ira from the rollover of the 401k, should i change that to a roth ira or roll that into my new 401k at work?
I am over age 71. I would like to convert my IRA into a Roth IRA.
Does my age remove the no withdrawals for five years rule.
Thank You
Hi Jeff,
I turned 50 this year, 2015, on March 20.
Can I take out $6500 for the 2014 year as a catch up–even though I was 49 in 2014?
Do tell…
Thanks,
Jena
Can you buy a Roth IRA if I have no earned income ?
@ Bev No, unless you have a spouse that has earned income. Then you both could fund a Roth IRA.
Cannot find my answer to my Roth deposit question on your site. In fact everywhere I’ve looked for the answer to this simple question I’ve found that noone discusses it directly for some reason. I’ll try again.
My wife wants to move funds from her regular ira to a roth ira at the same place.
What rate will the deposit going into the roth be taxed at?
Does the rate change after a certain amount so a larger deposit is taxed at a higher rate?
Is this a subject I would need to clear up at my local irs office?
@ Lee
The rate will be whatever tax bracket you’re currently in. Think of the Roth Conversion as adding more income (getting a pay raise) to what you’ve already earned for the year.
Depending on the amount you’re looking to convert it could definitely increase if you’re put into a higher tax bracket.
My father wants to start a retirement fund for his grandkids, both work and ages are 27 and 29, he wants to put $10,000 per account. neither child has a retirement fund. Should we go standard IRA or Roth, are there limits to the amount grandpa can open the account with.
Regards,
Ryan
@ Ryan With your kids still being in their 20’s, I would go with the Roth IRA. With the IRA’s (both Roth and traditional) the most he can put it for them is $5,500 (in 2013).
Hello Jeff,
My husband and I have 6 Roth IRAs each. He wanted to ladder them so they mature at different times. We each have a Roth maturing soon and we are not sure if we should continue to ladder or add this maturing Roth to an existing account to compound interest. Does the bank honor the original interest rate ( which was higher than present one )? If so, maybe it makes sense to start adding money to the highest interest rate account and stop the laddering. Would appreciate your advice.
@ Heather It sounds like you have CD’s inside your Roth IRA’s. Remember: Roth IRA’s do not pay anything. They are just the holding account.
With CD’s, once they mature, you are then subject to whatever interest rate is available. Depending on when you took your CD’s out, I’m sure that the new rate is probably much lower. You won’t be able to add money to the old ones that are still paying a higher rate.
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for your insight. Say you work on commision so you are unsure what your final MAGI will be. Through the year you contribute to your ROTH and at the end of the year you are over the $188k or whatever the limit may be. What will you have to do?
Thanks!
Mike
@ Mike If you over contribute to a Roth IRA, you’ll just have to remove it. Check out IRS Form 590 for more details.
If this does happen, just contact your IRA custodian and they’ll be able to correct it for you.
Hi Jeff,
Can an individual max out there 401k ($17k) and also add $5k to there ROTH for 2012? However the total income is < 90K.
Thanks.
@ Thomas Since your income is below the Roth IRA phaseout threshold you can contribute to a Roth IRA.
Jeff,
Follow up question on the advice to Marc above.
If some of the principal was pulled after 5 years from a Roth IRA, will this have any tax implications on the continued contributions and their interest/dividends beyond this point up till 59.5 yrs?
Hey Jeff,
Not sure if you are still answering questions here, but I am still a little confused at the benefit of a Roth IRA over another vehicle. If I put money into a Roth I have a 5 year delay on being able to access it. I also have to wait till 59 to touch any interest made, however in a savings account the restrictions usually seem to be much less. I guess im looking for that single bullet.
@ Marc
Did you miss that tax-free earnings on any interest made?
If you open a savings account, you have to pay tax on the earnings. If you open an investment account and buy a stock that pays dividends, if you have to pay tax on the dividends.
If you open a Roth IRA and make any interest or dividends, you’ll never have to pay tax on any of it (if you leave it there until 59 1/2).
How’s that for a single bullet?
Can a conversion from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA count as part of an RMD?
@ Charlie If you are over the age of 70 1/2 and you convert a traditional IRA to a Roth, you’ll have to remove the RMD first and it will not be able to converted to the Roth.
Just wondering what to do with some $$. I have a Roth IRA and a tradition IRA. I have a savings account, but I was thinking of putting it in my Roth. I have a retirement I live off , etc. Should I take the savings and convert it. If necessary, I can take it out for emergencies. I work part time and make about $10,000.
I am 65 and a widow of 4 years.
Just found your website. Thanks, Sandie
@ Sandie For now I would just leave the money in cash or in an investment account. The IRA (Roth or Traditional) probably won’t give you any real tax benefit to take advantage of right now.
Jeff, thanks for the info. My wife and I have set our goals for 2013 and starting our first Roth IRA was at the top. This helped a lot.
does roth distributions follow the same 59.5 rules as traditional iras
@ Pat Yes and no. You still have to wait until 59.5 to pull the interest and earnings out of the Roth IRA, but you do have access to the principal at any time. There a 5 year exception if the Roth IRA was recently opened.
My husband died in Apr 2012. I am the beneficiary of his 40lk and 2 Roths. Should I roll 401k into a Roth? (I have 2 Roths as well). Can I postpone any rollover into CY 2013 for tax purposes as I will have considerably less income that year on my own versus this year with his income. What are other and better options?
@ Camille First, I’m sorry for your loss.
Regarding your question, it’s really a tough one to answer without know more about your situation. A Roth IRA conversion is not black and white as there are so many factors that go into it.
You sure can delay the conversion into any year that you want.
My kids are in college and are doing a paid summer intern. Can they open their Roth IRA? Please advise. thanks.
@ Vincent
They sure can!
I want to fund a Roth Ira for my granddaughter. She is currently in a Teach for America position in New Orleans. How can I do this?
Thank you.
@ Cecile If your granddaughter has earned income then you certainly can open a Roth IRA for her.
Thanks for these tips. I had been looking all over on the IRA recharacterization rules!
Still, $5000 a year for roth IRA contributions ins’t very much. I don’t know how many people can really retire on such small yearly contributions.
If you started contributing $5,000 at age 25, continued contributing $5,000 until age 65, and your investments earned just 8%, by the time you were 65, you would have over $1.25 million in the account. Of course the annual contribution amount is indexed and could increase annually in increments of $500 but over a period of time, even $5,000 annual contributions are not chump change.
It’s important to maximize your contribution limits if you can afford them. The amount of compounding interest is so significant I can’t think of a reason not to fund an account.
Jeff: Thank you for the article/video. My wife and I actually did a traditional to Roth IRA conversation last year in order to be able to participate it. I’m glad you are spreading the word on this as I don’t see this tip publicized enough.
I appreciate the tips, as I’ll be attempting to max out my Roth IRA contributions in 2012.