Is My Roth IRA a Mutual Fund?
Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) have become the go-to retirement savings vehicle, with most investors preferring a mix of stocks and bonds as investments for their Roth accounts. But there are numerous alternatives with different investment styles and fees.
Your money in a Roth can be invested however you like: either yourself, through DIY investing or with the assistance of a robo-advisor. Check our brokerage reviews and robo-advisor ratings to find your ideal partner!
What is a mutual fund?
Mutual funds are investment vehicles that combine funds from multiple investors into one portfolio of securities like stocks and bonds. Their price, also known as their net asset value (NAV), varies based on market fluctuations; NAV calculations take place daily at the close of business to represent what each share in that fund is worth.
Investment funds may help lower risk by diversifying your portfolio, which means growth in one area can offset potential losses elsewhere. Although funds are generally less risky than individual stocks, principal may still be lost and investment returns vary considerably.
Fee calculators can help you estimate a fund’s fees and expenses before investing.
What is an ETF?
ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) are securities designed to track an index like the S&P 500 while offering investors the chance to buy and sell in-kind shares of an underlying investment at any time. ETFs operate similarly to mutual funds but may provide more protection against capital gains taxes.
When it comes to your retirement savings, taking the time to learn about all your options is well worth your while. Resources abound – from online guides that can assist with selecting investments to free financial tools and 1:1 assistance from J.P. Morgan advisors.
Roth IRAs allow you to withdraw any amount you contributed at any time without incurring taxes or penalties; there are also no required minimum distributions. Earnings withdrawn prior to age 59 1/2 may incur taxes and a 10% penalty, unless certain conditions are met, such as purchasing or rebuilding a first home for yourself or a qualified family member.
What is a target-date fund?
Target-date funds (TDF) are investment portfolios designed to optimize risk and return over a specific time period, automatically rebalancing asset class weightings to optimize risk/return ratios over time. They’re sometimes known as dynamic risk funds or life cycle funds and are frequently found within 401(k) accounts.
As your retirement or goal date approaches, these funds work to gradually adjust their investments towards more conservative assets in order to help protect you against longevity risk (the risk that you’ll run out of money during retirement). This transition process is known as the glide path.
TDFs may also be known as “fund of funds,” investing in both mutual and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Paige Morandi of Framingham, Massachusetts-based certified financial planner Paige Morandi advises potential investors to review the expense ratio before investing. Lower fees could mean greater net total returns over time.
What is a robo-advisor?
Robo advisors use algorithms to invest and manage assets on behalf of investors with limited investment experience, or those looking for a convenient way to delegate their investing to someone else. Robo advisors typically charge a management fee based on a percentage of your total account balance – significantly lower than fees charged by traditional financial advisors and hourly rates; additionally they don’t pass expense ratios directly on to clients.
Robo advisors may offer an ideal starting point for those with small accounts and no prior investment knowledge, but may lack the capacity to meet complex financial needs like estate planning, tax management and trust fund administration. Furthermore, these robo advisors may only have limited visibility of a client’s assets which can result in missed opportunities.
Robo advisors come in all forms, offering socially responsible investment portfolios, high-interest savings accounts or cash management tools, digital financial planning tools and much more. Some are free while most charge a flat subscription fee of 0.5%-2% of assets owned.
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