If you’ve been following along in our Account Types Series during the first few weeks, you might have found yourself wondering things like:

“Wait, there’s a limit to how much I can invest in my IRA and 401(k) each year? Can I invest more?”

“I want full access to all of my funds at all times without any early withdrawal penalties…is there a different option?”

“Can’t I just invest in a “regular” investment account?”

The answer is: Yes, you can.

And this week, we’re going to explore exactly how with a type of account that often gets overlooked in the retirement planning conversation: the taxable brokerage account (also called a non-qualified account).

“What’s the difference between a Traditional 401(k)/IRA and a Roth 401(k)/IRA?”

At first glance, they look very similar — both are “containers” for your investments, both have annual contribution limits, and both offer tax advantages. But the big difference lies in when and how your money is taxed, and that timing can have a big impact depending on your goals and stage of life.

Welcome back to our Account Types Series, part of the Ask a CFP® – Foundational Questions Edition, where we’re breaking down the most common types of investment accounts and how you might use each one in your retirement planning strategy.

Last week, we explored 401(k) plans — if you missed that post, you can read it here. This week, we’re turning to another widely used retirement account: the IRA. Short for Individual Retirement Arrangement (but more commonly known as an Individual Retirement Account), the IRA is often mentioned in the same breath as a 401(k). But how does it work, and what makes it different?