Retirement planning begins with the understanding that an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a smart way to save for your future. IRAs help you save efficiently, offering potential tax advantages depending on the type you select.

Hennion & Walsh will help you choose the right type of IRA that works for you. We’ll be with you as your needs change to help evaluate your new circumstances. That’s our difference.

Retirement Planning

Traditional IRA

This account defers taxes and is designed for saving for retirement.

Who should consider a Traditional IRA account for Retirement Planning?

An individual can now contribute to a Traditional IRA at any age as long as they have sufficient earned income.

Traditional IRA Features

• Tax Advantages – because contributions grow tax deferred.
• Flexibility – You can strategically invest your contributions in a variety of instruments (stocks, bonds, CDs, mutual funds, ETFs) to meet your individual needs.

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Roth IRA

A Roth IRA allows the investor after-tax contributions with the possibility for tax-free income or growth upon retirement.

Who should consider a Roth IRA account for Retirement Planning?

Investors, including individuals under the age of 18 as well as those over the age of 70 ½ with earned income and modified gross income under the proper terms.

Roth IRA Features

• Tax Advantages – A qualified Roth IRA distribution (tax-free) generally requires satisfaction of the five-tax-year rule and a qualifying circumstance such as reaching age 59 1/2, death, disability, or certain first-home distributions. Roth IRA owners also have no lifetime RMD requirement.
• Flexibility – Your Roth IRA contributions can be strategically invested in a variety of instruments (stocks, bonds, CDs, mutual funds, ETFs) to meet your individual needs.

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IRA Rollover

When you leave a job, you may need to consider what to do with your employer-sponsored retirement plan. There are four primary options to consider:

• Leave assets in the former employer’s plan, if permitted.
• Roll them into a new employer’s plan, if permitted.
• Roll them into an IRA.
• Take a taxable distribution.

There is no single choice from the options above that is appropriate for every investor. In your retirement planning journey, the decision should be based on your circumstances, considering various factors. If a 401(k) rollover aligns with your financial goals, you can benefit from continued tax deferral, penalty avoidance, and full investment opportunities through an IRA with Hennion & Walsh.

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Simplified Employee Pension Individual Retirement Account – SEP IRA

A SEP IRA is a type of Individual Retirement Account designed for the self-employed. Since SEP accounts function like IRAs, you can invest funds in the same way as any other IRA.

Who Should Consider a SEP IRA?

Self-employed individuals and spouses, are able to contribute up to 25% of their earnings, and seeking tax benefits.

SEP IRAs Features

• Tax Advantages – Tax-deductible contributions up to 25% of compensation, and may be as much as $72,000 for the 2026 plan year, and subject to annual cost-of-living adjustments for later years.
• Flexibility – You may invest your SEP IRA in a variety of investment vehicles.
• Simplicity – With a SEP IRA there is no requirement to file an annual report with the IRS.

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Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

Required minimum distribution rules depend on your date of birth, account type, and circumstances. Traditional, SEP and SIMPLE IRA owners are generally subject to RMDs beginning at the applicable statutory age, while Roth IRA owners generally are not required to take distributions during their lifetime.

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Inherited IRAs

For many non-spouse beneficiaries who inherit retirement accounts following deaths after 2019, the SECURE Act’s 10-year rule applies. Depending on whether the original owner died before or after their required beginning date and the beneficiary’s classification, distributions may also be required during years 1–9 rather than simply allowing the beneficiary to wait until year 10. Spouses and other “eligible designated beneficiaries” may have different options.

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Start your retirement planning with Hennion & Walsh today.

An IRA may provide broader investment choices or greater account-management flexibility, while an employer plan can sometimes provide lower institutional investment costs, unique creditor protections, access to plan loans while employed, or favorable withdrawal provisions. Employer stock also requires special analysis because a rollover can eliminate the opportunity to use net unrealized appreciation (NUA) treatment.All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future returns.