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Choosing an IRA

 
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Learn the differences between Traditional and Roth IRAs, and the Education Savings Account*:

Who is eligible to Invest?

  • Traditional IRA - Anyone under age 70 ½ who has earned income, regardless of income level
  • Roth IRA – Full contributions can be made by single filers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) less than $116,000 or married/joint filers with a MAGI less than $183,000. Partial contributions can be made by single filers with a MAGI between $116,000 and $131,000 or married/joint filers with a MAGI between $183,000 and $193,000

What is the maximum annual contribution allowed?

  • Traditional IRA - $5,500 or 100% of your earned income, whichever is less ($6,500 for individuals age 50 or older)
  • Roth IRA - $5,500 or 100% of your earned income, whichever is less ($6,500 for individuals age 50 or older)

Are there any tax advantages with IRA investments?

  • Traditional IRA - Tax-deferred growth of contributions and investment earnings
  • Roth IRA - Tax-free growth of investment earnings

Are there any deductible contributions?

  • Traditional IRA - Yes, if your income is below certain limits or if you are not an active participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan
  • Roth IRA - No, contributions must be made with after-tax dollars

Are penalty-free withdrawals allowed prior to age 59½?

  • Traditional IRA - Yes, if "substantially equal periodic payments" are taken, or if used for first-time home expenses ($10,000 lifetime maximum), qualified higher education costs or for certain hardships
  • Roth IRA - Yes, contributions can be withdrawn free of penalties and taxes. Earnings can be withdrawn penalty-free if used for first-time home expenses ($10,000 lifetime maximum), qualified educational expenses or for certain hardships

Will a distribution be required at any point?

  • Traditional IRA - Yes, distributions must begin by April 1 following the year you attain age 70 ½
  • Roth IRA - No, you may continue contributions as long as you have earned income and postpone distributions for as long as you like during your lifetime

*This information is based on current interpretation of the language in the 2016 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), and Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education. Investors should consult with their tax adviser or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular tax situation and any updates to the tax law.






Not FDIC insured | May lose value | No bank guarantee

You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds. Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The Funds’ sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time.

An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), any other government agency, or The Northern Trust Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries or any other bank.

An investment in Northern Funds involves risks, including possible loss of principal.

Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing. Call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the Funds.

Shares of the Northern Funds are offered only by a current Prospectus and are intended solely for persons to whom shares of US registered funds may be sold. This site shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of shares of the Northern Funds in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

©2022 Northern Funds | Northern Funds are distributed by Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, not affiliated with Northern Trust.