In 1974, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) created individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Congress designed traditional IRAs originally to have two roles: first, to give individuals not covered by retirement plans at work a tax-advantaged savings plan, and second, to play a complementary role to the employer-sponsored retirement system by preserving rollover assets at job change or retirement. Since then, policymakers have introduced new types of IRAs and changed rules surrounding IRAs. IRAs have helped millions of US households save for retirement.
IRAs Play an Increasingly Important Role in Saving for Retirement
Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) represented 35 percent of US total retirement market at year-end 2023, compared to 24 percent two decades ago.
Background on Individual Retirement Accounts
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Focus on Funds: Maximize Your Tax Savings with Individual Retirement Accounts
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs): FAQs
Focus on Funds: 45 Years of Savings Success with Individual Retirement Accounts
All You Need Is Love…and a Spousal IRA
The Individual Retirement Account at Age 30: A Retrospective (pdf)
A Spousal IRA May Be the Best Gift You Can Give Your Non-Working Husband or Wife
Research and Statistics
The Role of IRAs in US Households’ Saving for Retirement
The IRA Investor Database™
Quarterly Retirement Market Data
ICI Survey Shows Most Traditional IRA–Owning Households Have Planned Retirement Strategy
IRA Investors
Comment Letters and Statements
ICI Comment Letter on the Proposed Regulations on RMDs
ICI Comment Letter on the Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary
ICI Submits Additional Comments on DOL's Proposed Amendments to the QPAM Exemption
Other Resources
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