I mean, Roth is just a post tax savings account. It’s not really meant for relying upon in retirement.
Of course its a retirement account. The word “retirement” is in the name of the account: Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account).
It’s usually used to save for things like cars or a down payment for a house.
You can withdraw contributions to a Roth IRA, yes, and a house down payment isn’t a bad use for it, but that’s it really. A house is an appreciating asset. It will likely go up in value over time. You shouldn’t be buying cars or anything else with your Roth IRA funds. A car is a depreciating asset. It will only go down in value over time.
Dumping it into stocks seems like a bad idea imo but you can withdraw at any time without penalty so you can spend it on whatever you want.
You can and should invest the funds inside your Roth IRA in stable securities. Boring stuff like “Total Market funds” that has a regular appreciable return. This isn’t where you invest in Gamestop, AMC, or any other volatile stocks.
My post said that it shouldn’t be relied upon in retirement, not that it isn’t a retirement account. If you’re lucky enough to be able to have both a savings account and a Roth, then sure, it doesn’t make sense to use it for a car. But if you need to choose between those two due to low income, it’s absolutely valid to use your Roth as a standard savings account and withdraw for large purchases and emergencies when financing isn’t an option. This is also helpful for people who tend to dip into their savings frivolously and often recommended to low earners as a way to control their finances.
But yeah, if you’re in a conformable place financially then you should absolutely max out your Roth and not touch it. That simply isn’t a reality for most people.
Roth IRAs are designed specifically for people with less money. When you get to a certain income level, you can no longer take advantage of them (well, there are some tricks).
My post said that it shouldn’t be relied upon in retirement, not that it isn’t a retirement account.
I’m disagreeing with what I am understanding your position is, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. You’re stating that you shouldn’t rely on a Roth IRA in retirement.
What, in your opinion, is an account that should be “relied upon in retirement”?
You’re trolling me right? Your post is sarcasm?
Of course its a retirement account. The word “retirement” is in the name of the account: Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account).
You can withdraw contributions to a Roth IRA, yes, and a house down payment isn’t a bad use for it, but that’s it really. A house is an appreciating asset. It will likely go up in value over time. You shouldn’t be buying cars or anything else with your Roth IRA funds. A car is a depreciating asset. It will only go down in value over time.
You can and should invest the funds inside your Roth IRA in stable securities. Boring stuff like “Total Market funds” that has a regular appreciable return. This isn’t where you invest in Gamestop, AMC, or any other volatile stocks.
My post said that it shouldn’t be relied upon in retirement, not that it isn’t a retirement account. If you’re lucky enough to be able to have both a savings account and a Roth, then sure, it doesn’t make sense to use it for a car. But if you need to choose between those two due to low income, it’s absolutely valid to use your Roth as a standard savings account and withdraw for large purchases and emergencies when financing isn’t an option. This is also helpful for people who tend to dip into their savings frivolously and often recommended to low earners as a way to control their finances.
But yeah, if you’re in a conformable place financially then you should absolutely max out your Roth and not touch it. That simply isn’t a reality for most people.
Roth IRAs are designed specifically for people with less money. When you get to a certain income level, you can no longer take advantage of them (well, there are some tricks).
The general rule of thumb is that you;
I’m disagreeing with what I am understanding your position is, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. You’re stating that you shouldn’t rely on a Roth IRA in retirement.
What, in your opinion, is an account that should be “relied upon in retirement”?