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Individual Retirement Accounts

An IRA is a personal savings plan that offers you tax advantages to set aside money for your retirement or, in some plans, for certain education expenses or first-time home purchase.  Sentry Credit Union offers you a number of IRAs to choose from, including Traditional, Roth, or Education.

Traditional IRAs

Traditional IRAs are powerful tools in creating a balanced, long-term savings plan that will help provide safety and security for you and your family for years to come.  Contributions may be deducted from your taxable income, reducing the income taxes you pay now.  At Sentry Credit Union you can invest your money through an IRA Plateau Account or IRA Certificate.  Check out our rates and then request an IRA Plateau or IRA Certificate Account Application today!

Roth IRAs

Roth IRAs offer members an easy and safe way to plan for the future.  Your contributions are not tax-deductible but the earnings within the IRA are tax-free as long as your funds have been in the account for at least five years and you are either over age 59½, disabled, or buying a first home. At Sentry Credit Union you can invest your money through an IRA Plateau Account or IRA Certificate.  Check out our rates and then request an IRA Plateau or IRA Certificate Account Application today!

Educational IRAs

Educational IRAs (also known as the Coverdell Education Savings Account) can help your children attain their dreams of a college education.  Although contributions are not tax-deductible, your withdrawals (including earnings) are tax-free if used for tuition, books, and other qualified higher-education expenses. At Sentry Credit Union you can invest your money through an IRA Plateau Account or IRA Certificate.  Check out our rates and then request an IRA Plateau or IRA Certificate Account Application today!

Comparison Chart

IRA FEATURES
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Features

Traditional IRA

Roth IRA

Coverdell Education Savings Plan

Who Can Contribute?

·  Anyone under age 70- 1/2 for the entire tax year with earned income from compensation.  

·  Maximum contributions of $5,000 annually starting in tax year 2008.

·  "Catch-up" Contributions: Individuals age 50 and older who have earned compensation will be permitted to make additional "catch-up" contributions to Traditional and Roth IRAs. The maximum "catch-up" contribution is an additional $1,000 for 2006 through 2010.

·  Married couples filing a Joint Tax Return with MAGI* up to $150,000. Contributions are phased out for joint filers with income between $150,000 - $160,000.  

·  Contributors filing a Single Tax Return with MAGI* up to $95,000. Contributions are phased out for single filers with income between $95,000 - $110,000.  

·  May make contributions after age 70 1/2 if compensation earned.  

·  Maximum contributions $5,000 annually.  

·  "Catch-up" Contributions: Individuals age 50 and older who have earned compensation will be permitted to make additional "catch-up" contributions to Traditional and Roth IRAs. The maximum "catch-up" contribution is an additional $1,000 for 2006 through 2010.

Effective January 1, 2002, contributions up to $2,000 per taxable year to benefit a child under the age of 18 may be made by:  

·  Married couples filing a Joint Tax Return with MAGI* up to $190,000. Contributions are phased out for joint filers with income between $190,000 - $220,000.  

·  Contributors filing a Single Tax Return with MAGI* up to $95,000. Contributions are phased out for single filers with income between $95,000 - $110,000.

What are the tax advantages?

·  A married person who is not an active participant in a retirement plan, but whose spouse is an active participant will be eligible for a fully deductible contribution to a Traditional IRA if MAGI* is under $150,000.  

·  Earnings compound tax-deferred until withdrawn, usually outearning taxable non IRA investments. Earnings are then taxed when withdrawn usually at a lower tax rate.  

·  Contributions may be tax deductible if certain requirements are met.

·  Contributions can be withdrawn tax and penalty free anytime.  

·  Earnings are tax free if account is open for five years and withdrawn for one of the following qualified reasons:
- Death
- Age 59 1/2
- Disability
- First time home purchase

·  Not required to start withdrawals at age 70 1/2.

Tax Free Withdrawals

·  "Qualified higher-education expenses" (tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment).  

·  Elementary and secondary school expenses and any computer technology or equipment that is used by the beneficiary and the beneficiary's family during any of the years that the beneficiary is in school.

When can withdrawals be taken without penalty?

·  Withdraw penalty free without incurring 10% IRS premature-distribution penalty:
1. Upon reaching age 59 ½
2. Qualified educational expenses
3. First time home purchase (lifetime maximum of $10,000 per individual)
4. Disability
5. Catastrophic medical expenses 

·  Withdrawal of earnings and deductible contributions still results in taxable income

·  Contributions can be withdrawn tax and penalty free anytime.  

·  Earnings can be withdrawn penalty free for any of the following qualified reasons:
1. Age 59 1/2
2. Disability
3. Death
4. For first time home purchase (lifetime maximum of $10,000 per owner)
5. Education Expenses
6. Large medical expense & health insurance premium while unemployed

·  Contributions can be withdrawn tax and penalty free any time. 

·  Earnings can be withdrawn tax and penalty free for qualified educational expenses (withdrawal of earnings for other reasons are subject to tax and penalty).  

·  Funds can be withdrawn and rolled over into another Coverdell Education Savings Account of another family member under age 30.

When must required distributions begin?

·  At age 70 1/2

·  Not required

 

·  All funds must be used by the time the child (beneficiary) reaches age 30.

 This chart is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for individuals. We suggest you contact your tax advisor in regards to your personal IRA plan.
*MAGI = Modified Adjusted Gross Income

 

 
 
 



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