The Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA) became available in 1998. It was named after its legislative sponsor, William V. Roth Jr., a Republican senator from Delaware. The Roth IRA was part of the Tax Relief Act of 1997. Sometimes we let the words for investment terms roll off our tongues without really knowing what they mean. This one is easy, it was named after someone who saw a need for an investment which had the potential of remaining tax-free during both the accumulation (adding to it) or distribution (taking money from it) phases. Of course there are rules to make that happen. As the saying goes, there is no free ride.
First, the money contributed to a Roth IRA is called after tax money, meaning the investor already paid taxes on it. Second the money needs to conform to a few rules to avoid paying taxes. I like the simple way an investment firm, Invesco, has explained it. Please just click here to learn more.
Whether we like it or not, investors often start with the long-range plan of investing money and leaving it there until age 59 1/2 and later and then life catches up with them. A recession hits, a job is lost, a major medical expense is incurred, a business fails, or some other major financial need comes along. Sometimes the investor is looking over all of her or his investment accounts to figure out how to best manage a short-term situation by accessing retirement accounts. Yes it could and has happened to investors, maybe even to you.
The information in the link is very useful as you work with your financial professional to sort things out. It is best to make an informed decision and be aware of the consequences so you can plan on them.
Until Next Time
Debra Hadsall
Please remember, this is a short overview and questions relevant to personal finances and specific to the individual should be addressed to an appropriate professional to ensure that the situation has been evaluated carefully and appropriately.
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Financial Freedom Party for Women (FFP)-Talk 
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