What Is a Roth IRA? How to Get Started

By Kailey Hagen – Updated Nov 21, 2025 at 12:57 PM

Key Points

A Roth IRA, funded with after-tax money, offers tax-free withdrawals post-59 1/2 and a 5-year hold.
Income limits apply for Roth IRA contributions; high earners may use the backdoor conversion strategy.
Roth IRAs don't require minimum distributions and permit tax-free inheritance, enhancing flexibility.

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An infographic explaining the tax differences between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA for present and future payments. — Image source: The Motley Fool.

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Which Roth IRA account is right for you?

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Modified Adjusted Gross Income

Modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is an income metric that is used to determine eligibility for certain tax deductions, credits, and additional taxes.

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Data source: IRS.

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Data source: IRS.

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Related Retirement Topics

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What is an IRA and How Does it Work?

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The Basics of Inherited IRAs for Beneficiaries

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There's more than way to get to the retirement you want.

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About the Author

Kailey Hagen, CFP, is a contributing Motley Fool retirement analyst covering Social Security, Medicare, and retirement planning. Before The Motley Fool, Kailey was a research analyst for Reviews.com focusing on credit and banking products. She is a Certified Financial Planner® and holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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