Roth IRA

The opportunity to grow your retirement savings―and withdraw money when needed.1 That's the power and flexibility a Roth IRA can provide.

Questions?

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What is a Roth IRA?

A Roth IRA is an individual retirement account (IRA) funded with after-tax dollars. At any time for any reason, you can withdraw your contributions tax-free and penalty-free. Additionally, any earnings on investments can also be withdrawn tax-free and penalty-free, provided certain requirements are met.1


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Step 1: See if a Roth IRA is right for you

Tax savings

Want to keep more of what you earn? Any potential Roth IRA earnings grow tax-free, with tax-free withdrawals in retirement.1
Flexible access to your money

Need money in a pinch? Your Roth contributions can be withdrawn without taxes or penalties, at any time, for any reason.
Easy to qualify

As long as you have earned income (up to limits set by the IRS), you can contribute to a Roth IRA. Not sure how much to contribute? Use our Contribution Calculator.

Still not sure if a Roth is right for you?

Check out our Roth vs. traditional IRA comparison.



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Step 2: Choose who you want investing your Roth IRA—You or Fidelity?

  Fidelity Roth IRA Fidelity Go® Roth IRA
Investment management
  • You choose and manage your investments
  • We choose and manage your investments using your goals and risk tolerance in this digital account
Planning & guidance
  • Access to robust planning tools, and support from a Fidelity representative as needed2
  • Access to digital planning tools and unlimited 1- on-1 coaching calls with a dedicated team of Fidelity advisors once your account balance reaches $25,0002
Minimums
  • No minimum to open an account3
  • No minimum to open an account4
Fees
  • No account3 or advisory fees with this type of retail account
  • Depending on which investments you choose, there may be underlying fees
 Advisory fee4
  • $0 for under $25,000 and 0.35%/yr for $25,000 and above
  • Invests in Fidelity mutual funds that do not charge management fees or, with limited exceptions, fund expenses
Support
  • Thought leadership, research, 24/7 customer service
  • Thought leadership, research, 24/7 customer service
 



Looking for a more hands-on managed approach? You might want to consider Fidelity® Wealth Services for your planning and investment management needs. Minimum investment is $50,000 for access to a team of advisors or $250,000 for a dedicated advisor. Learn more

Already opened your Roth? 2 quick tips

1. Contribute
Remember, you can withdraw whatever you contribute without taxes or penalties, so no reason to put it off.

2. Invest
To take advantage of tax-free growth, you'll need to pick investments. If you chose a Fidelity Go® Roth IRA, don't worry―we're investing for you. Didn't choose a Fidelity Go® Roth IRA? Don't let your contributions sit as cash. Remember to invest using our Trade capability.

FAQs

  • If I qualify to contribute to both a Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA, are there tax implications I should consider?
    Having a mix of both pretax and Roth contributions can help create additional flexibility in retirement to respond to a great unknown—future tax rates. For people who expect income in retirement to be as high or higher than their current level, others who expect their tax rate in retirement to be higher than today, or younger people who expect steady income growth over their careers, Roth IRA contributions may be the better choice. But if you believe that your tax rates will be lower in retirement than they are now, you may want to prioritize pretax vehicles like the Traditional IRA. Our IRA Contribution Calculator allows you to answer a few questions and find out which one might be right for you.
  • Should I own a Roth IRA?
    Generally speaking, most investors should consider having a Roth IRA as part of their overall retirement plan because it offers federal tax-free growth potential and withdrawals, which have the potential to help minimize taxes and maximize retirement savings. Contributing to a Roth IRA involves income requirements.
  • How is a Roth IRA different from a traditional IRA?

    With a Roth IRA, you contribute money that's already been taxed (that is, "after-tax" dollars). Any earnings in a Roth IRA have the potential to grow tax-free as long as they stay in the account. Withdrawals of earnings from Roth IRAs are federal income tax-free and penalty-free if a 5-year aging period has been met and the account owner is age 59½ or over, disabled, or deceased. Roth IRAs are not subject to required minimum distributions (RMD) rules during the lifetime of the original owner, so you can leave your assets in the Roth IRA where they have the potential to continue to grow. 

    With a traditional IRA, contributions can be made on an after-tax basis, or a pre-tax (tax-deductible) basis if certain requirements are met. Any earnings in the traditional IRA are tax-deferred as long as they remain in the account. Withdrawals of pre-tax monies are subject to ordinary income tax when withdrawn. RMDs are required from traditional IRAs no later than April 1st of the year following the year in which you turn age 735. If you wait until April 1st, you will then be required to take your second distribution by the end of that year. 

    For both types of IRAs, distributions before age 59½ may be subject to both ordinary income taxes and a 10% early withdrawal penalty. For a detailed comparison, view the traditional vs. Roth comparison table.

    Note that with a Roth IRA, you're able to withdraw contributions you've made at any time, for any reason, with no taxes or penalty.

Additional resources

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Roth IRA for Kids

Your child can start saving for retirement as soon as they have a job. Invest with tax-deferred growth and potential tax-free withdrawals.

Learn more

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