IRA account types and investment structures

Traditional and Roth describe tax treatment. SEP and SIMPLE describe employer arrangements. Labels such as gold, crypto, real estate and checkbook control describe investments or structures. A Coverdell ESA is an education account rather than a retirement IRA.

• Traditional IRA
• Roth IRA
• SEP IRA
• SIMPLE IRA
• Rollover IRA
• Spousal IRA
• Inherited IRA
• Self-Directed IRA
• Gold IRA
• Silver IRA
• Precious Metals IRA
• Crypto IRA
• Real Estate IRA
• Coverdell Education Savings Account
• Checkbook-Control IRA

Worked explanations

• A contribution ledger that prevents accidental IRA overfunding
• Why a $50,000 rollover can arrive as a $40,000 check
• A backdoor Roth example: why a new account does not isolate IRA basis
• An IRA fee worksheet: compare the account you will actually use
• Three retirement accounts, three RMD calculations: when withdrawals can be combined
• Roth IRA five-year rules: the earnings clock and the conversion clock answer different questions
• An ineligible IRA contribution is not always fixed by clicking Withdraw
• Delaying the first RMD can put two required withdrawals into one calendar year
• Before funding an owner’s SEP IRA, price the eligible-employee contribution too
• The inherited-IRA fact sheet to complete before choosing a withdrawal schedule