IRA Types and Roth or Traditional Accounts

These pages group IRA account-type terms that readers use when comparing tax treatment, ownership, and account-control choices.

In this section

• IRA
  U.S. retirement account with tax advantages, used alongside or instead of employer-sponsored plans.
• Roth IRA
  After-tax individual retirement account designed for tax-free qualified withdrawals later in retirement.
• Self-Directed IRA
  IRA structure that gives the account owner broader control over investment selection, including certain alternative assets.
• Spousal IRA
  IRA contribution structure that lets a married couple fund retirement savings for a non-earning or low-earning spouse.
• Traditional IRA
  Tax-deferred individual retirement account that may allow a current-year tax deduction and usually taxes withdrawals later in retirement.