Roth IRAs Have Transformed Into Big Tax Shelters for the Wealthy (2024)

FAQs

Is a Roth IRA a good tax shelter? ›

For individuals who expect to be in a higher income tax bracket by the time they retire, the Roth IRA and Roth 401(k) provide a way to shelter income from higher taxes. With these investment accounts, the contributed income is taxed before entering the accounts, but no tax applies when the funds are withdrawn.

But the tax incentives that the new accounts provided weren't lost on the rich or their accountants. In recent decades, with the advent of the Roth IRA and relaxed restrictions on IRA rollovers, ultrawealthy Americans have reportedly built tax-sheltered accounts worth many millions—or even billions—of dollars.

A Roth IRA is an Individual Retirement Account to which you contribute after-tax dollars. While there are no current-year tax benefits, your contributions and earnings can grow tax-free, and you can withdraw them tax-free and penalty free after age 59½ and once the account has been open for five years.

How a Roth IRA can earn interest. A Roth IRA can increase its value over time by compounding growth. Whenever investments earn interest or dividends, that amount gets added to the account balance. Account owners can earn interest on the additional interest and dividends, a process that can continue over and over.

Roth IRAs are not 100% safe, but they offer the potential for growth over time. Market fluctuations and early withdrawal penalties can cause a Roth IRA to lose money. Investing late or contributing too much can also result in potential losses.

Wealthy people take advantage of their employers' 401(k) plans. A survey of 10,000 millionaires showed that there was one account type most had in common: A 401(k). According to the survey by Ramsey Solutions, eight in 10 millionaires had this common account in their portfolios.

It's a testament to the wealth-building power of investing in the stock market and keeping a long-term mindset, letting compounding do the heavy lifting. But becoming a millionaire isn't a coincidence. It takes a methodical approach and a specialized account, such as an individual retirement account (IRA).

If you contribute 5,000 dollars per year to a Roth IRA and earn an average annual return of 10 percent, your account balance will be worth a figure in the region of 250,000 dollars after 20 years.

Let's say you open a Roth IRA and contribute the maximum amount each year. If the base contribution limit remains at $7,000 per year, you'd amass over $100,000 (assuming a 8.77% annual growth rate) after 10 years. After 30 years, you would accumulate over $900,000.

Why can't rich people contribute to Roth IRA? ›

"Unfortunately, the income limits on Roth IRAs make it difficult for many higher-income individuals to contribute directly to these accounts," said Hayden Adams, CPA, CFP^®, director of tax and wealth management at the Schwab Center for Financial Research.

The Rich Person Roth offers an alternative for those seeking tax advantages in retirement planning. Unlike Roth IRAs, the Rich Person Roth has no contribution limits, allowing individuals to plan for essentially unlimited amounts.

Still, the math behind becoming a Roth IRA millionaire still holds. Assuming an annual January contribution to your Roth IRA of $6,500 and an 8% average long-term investment return, you can expect to become an IRA millionaire in just under 34 years.

The tax argument for contributing to a Roth can easily turn upside down if you happen to be in your peak earning years. If you're now in one of the higher tax brackets, your tax rate in retirement may have nowhere to go but down.