Americans have a variety of investment accounts, but not in equal amounts. According to a recent financial survey by Sago, the popularity of investment types varies, though the study doesn’t explain why people may prefer to invest in one over another.
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At the top of the list, the “most popular” — meaning the most people in the study have them — were:
Christopher Stroup, CFP and owner of Silicon Beach Financial, explained, regardless of popularity, which types of investment accounts are actually the most important for the average person to have.
For those with access to a 401(k) plan, this is one of the most important accounts for retirement savings, Stroup said. “It offers tax-deferred growth, and many employers provide matching contributions, which is essentially free money for your retirement,” he said.
Maximizing contributions, especially to capture the full match, should be a priority for most individuals.
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A Roth IRA is significant because it allows for tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals in retirement, Stroup pointed out.
“Since contributions are made with after-tax dollars, you don’t get an immediate tax break, but in exchange, you won’t pay taxes on your investment gains in retirement.”
He said this makes it an excellent choice for those who expect to be in a higher tax bracket later in life.
While retirement accounts offer tax advantages, a taxable brokerage account is important for more flexible investing — and it’s one way that many people own stocks.
“It allows you to invest without the restrictions of retirement accounts — such as withdrawal age — giving you access to funds anytime,” Stroup said.
You’ll pay capital gains taxes on profits, but it offers a great way to build wealth for long-term goals or major purchases outside of retirement.
For those who are fortunate enough to have access to a pension, it can be an important source of guaranteed retirement income, Stroup said.
While fewer employers offer pensions today, they are valuable because they provide a predictable income stream in retirement.
“This can reduce the reliance on personal savings. However, they often only apply to specific sectors (like government or union jobs).”