Open an IRA Account

We recommend Roth IRAs for most investors (as well as Traditional IRAs in some cases), both of which have strict eligibility requirements. A good first step is to check out the Eligibility Requirements for Roth IRAs and Eligibility Requirements for Traditional IRAs.

You can compare Roth IRAs vs. Traditional IRAs by consulting our IRA comparison table.

A common misconception about IRAs is that they’re a special type of investment product; in truth, an IRA is simply a tax designation. That means you can open an IRA with just about any financial institution, but we recommend using online discount brokers because they charge the lowest account maintenance fees and offer cheap online trades.

Here are some top brokers for you to consider:

• Fidelity

• Scottrade

• TD Ameritrade

• Charles Schwab

Once you’ve established an IRA with a broker, you’ll need to fund it before you begin investing. Be sure to adhere to the contribution limits for the IRA you’ve selected: for 2015, Traditional and Roth IRAs allow for a maximum of $5,500 contribution, or $6,500 if you’re 50 years of age or older.

Compare Traditional vs. Roth IRAs »

How you invest within your IRA is up to you, but your broker may also limit your investing options. Of course, we recommend dividend-paying stocks as the best possible way to invest with an IRA. Remember, dividends and capital gains generated are allowed to grow tax-free within your IRA!