A secured bond has an asset as collateral backing up a person’s investment while an unsecured one doesn’t have collateral backup. Here’s more about differences.
Read more
Before someone can sell securities or offer financial advice they must first obtain the appropriate securities license. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the organization that sets the requirements, oversees the process for earning an investments license, and administers most of the tests.
If you’re considering a career in the financial services industry it’s important to understand how securities licensing and registration works. Investors may also benefit from understanding what the various FINRA licenses signify when selecting an advisor.
Key Points
• Securities licenses are required for individuals to sell securities and offer financial advice.
• The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) sets the requirements and administers most of the tests for earning securities licenses.
• Different licenses allow financial professionals to offer a range of financial products and services to clients.
• The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) is responsible for licensing investment advisor firms and enforcing state securities law.
• Some common FINRA licenses include Series 6, Series 7, Series 3, Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66, each with its own specific focus and requirements.
A securities license is a license that allows financial professionals to sell securities and/or offer financial advice. The type of license someone holds can determine the range of financial products and services they have authorization to offer to clients. Someone who holds one or more securities or investments licenses is a registered financial professional.
FINRA is the non-governmental agency responsible for overseeing the activities of registered financial professionals. That includes individuals who hold FINRA licenses to sell securities or offer advisory services. Individual investors do not need a license to buy and sell stocks.
Recommended: How to Start Investing in Stocks: A Beginner’s Guide
Under FINRA rules, anyone who’s associated with a brokerage firm and engages in that firm’s securities business must have a license.
Some specific examples of individuals who might need to have a license from FINRA include:
• Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs)
• Financial advisors who want to sell mutual funds, annuities, and other investment packages on a commission-basis
• Fee-only financial advisors who only charge for the services they provide
• Stockbrokers and commodities or futures traders
• Advisors who oversee separately managed accounts
• Individuals who want to play an advisory or consulting role in mergers and acquisitions
The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) represents state securities regulators in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This organization is responsible for licensing investment advisor firms and securities firms at the state level, registering certain securities offered to investors, and enforcing state securities law.
💡 Quick Tip: Investment fees are assessed in different ways, including trading costs, account management fees, and possibly broker commissions. When you set up an investment account, be sure to get the exact breakdown of your “all-in costs” so you know what you’re paying.
FINRA offers a number of different securities licenses. If you’re considering a career in securities trading, it’s important to understand which one or ones you might need. The appropriate license will depend on the type of securities that you want to sell, how you’ll get paid, and what (if any) other services you’ll provide to your clients.
Here’s a rundown of some of the most common FINRA licenses, what they’re used for and how to obtain one:
FINRA offers the Series 6 Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam for individuals who work for investment companies and sell variable contracts products. The types of products you can sell while holding this securities license include:
• Mutual funds (closed-end funds on the initial offering only)
• Variable life insurance
• Unit investment trusts (UITs)
• Municipal fund securities, including 529 plans
Obtaining this FINRA license requires you to also pass the introductory Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam. This 75-question exam tests your basic knowledge of the securities industry. FINRA offers a practice test online to help you study for the SIE. You can also watch a tutorial to learn how the 50-question Series 6 exam works.
Beyond those options you may consider investing in a paid Series 6 study prep course. Series 6 courses can help you familiarize yourself with the various variable products you can sell with this license and industry best practices. You’ll need to obtain a score of at least 70 to pass both the SIE and the Series 6 exam.
People who see stocks and other securities must take the Series 7 General Securities Representative Exam. A Series 7 investments license is typically needed to sell:
• Public offerings and/or private placements of corporate securities (i.e. stocks and bonds)
• Rights
• Stock warrants
• Mutual funds
• Money market funds
• Unit investment trusts
• Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
• Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
• Options on mortgage-backed securities
• Government securities
• Repos and certificates of accrual on government securities
• Direct participation programs
• Venture capital
• Municipal securities
• Hedge funds
This securities license offers the widest range, in terms of what you can sell.
You’ll need to take and pass the SIE to obtain a Series 7 exam. The Series 7 exam has 125 questions in a multiple choice format and 72% is a passing score. FINRA offers a content outline you can review to get a feel for what’s included on the exam. You may also benefit from taking a study course that covers the various securities you’re authorized to sell with the Series 7 license as well as the ethical and legal responsibilities the license conveys.
Investment professionals can earn the Series 3 license by completing the Series 3 National Commodities Futures Exam. This test focuses on the knowledge necessary to sell commodities futures. This is a National Futures Association (NFA) exam administered by FINRA. It has 120 multiple choice questions, with 70% considered a passing score.
You have to pass the Series 3 license exam to join the National Futures Association. In terms of what’s included in the exam and how to study for it, the test is divided into these subjects:
• Futures trading theory and basic functions terminology
• Futures margins, options premiums, price limits, futures settlements, delivery, exercise and assignment
• Types of orders
• Hedging strategies
• Spread trading strategies
• Option hedging
• Regulatory requirements
Neither FINRA nor the NFA offer detailed study guides or practice tests for the Series 3 securities license. But you can purchase study prep materials online.
💡 Quick Tip: How to manage potential risk factors in a self directed investment account? Doing your research and employing strategies like dollar-cost averaging and diversification may help mitigate financial risk when trading stocks.
The Series 63 Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam is an NASAA exam administered by FINRA. The test has 60 questions, of which you’ll need to get at least 43 correct in order to pass with a score of 72%.
You’ll need this license if you also hold a Series 6 or Series 7 license and you want to sell securities in any state. The NASAA offers a downloadable study guide that offers an overview of what’s included on the Series 63 securities license exam. Topics include:
• Regulation of investment advisors
• Regulation of broker-dealers
• Regulation of securities and issuers
• Communication with customers and prospects
• Ethical practices
Beyond that, the NASAA offers a list of suggested vendors for purchasing Series 63 exam study materials. But it doesn’t specifically endorse any of these vendors or their products for individuals who plan to obtain a Series 63 license.
The Series 65 Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam is another NASAA test that’s administered by FINRA. Holding this license allows you to offer services as a financial planner or a financial advisor on a fee-only basis. The exam has 130 multiple choice questions and you’ll need to get at least 92 questions correct to pass.
As with the Series 63 exam, the NASAA offers a study guide for the Series 65 exam that outlines key topics. Some of the things you’ll need to be knowledgeable about include:
• Basic economic concepts and terminology
• Characteristics of various investment vehicles, such as government securities and asset-backed securities
• Client investment recommendations and strategies
• Regulatory and ethical guidelines
You can review a list of approved vendors for Series 65 study materials on the NASAA website.
The Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law Exam is the third NASAA exam administered by FINRA. Financial professionals who want to qualify as both securities agents and investment adviser representatives take this test.
This multiple choice exam has 100 questions and you’ll need a score of 73 correct or higher to pass. If you already hold a Series 7 license, which is a co-requisite, you could choose to take the Series 66 exam in place of the Series 63 and Series 65 exams.
The study guide and the scope of what the Series 66 exam covers is similar to the Series 65 exam. So if you hold a Series 65 license already, you may have little difficulty in studying and preparing for the Series 66 exam.
Earning a securities license could help to further your career if you’re interested in the financial services industry. Knowing which license you need and how to qualify for it is an important first step.
Fortunately, you don’t need to hold a FINRA license to invest for yourself. For instance, you could do some research and work at building a diversified portfolio.
Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).
Photo credit: iStock/jacoblund
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
SoFi Invest®
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below:
Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.
SOIN0723060
Table of Contents
The purpose of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) is to allow you to save for your golden years, so there are strict IRA withdrawal rules meant to make it harder to access that money for other reasons.
Ideally you sock away money consistently and your investment grows over time. You also get the benefit of tax breaks. But it’s important to keep the IRA rules for withdrawals in mind to make the most of your accounts.
Key Points
• Traditional and Roth IRAs have specific withdrawal rules and penalties to protect retirement savings.
• Roth IRA withdrawal rules include the five-year rule for penalty-free withdrawals, and required minimum distributions for inherited IRAs.
• Traditional IRA withdrawals before age 59 ½ incur regular income taxes and a 10% penalty.
• There are exceptions to the penalty, such as using funds for medical expenses, health insurance, disability, education, and first-time home purchases.
• Many experts recommend that early IRA withdrawals should be a last resort due to the potential impact on retirement savings and tax implications.
When can you withdraw from a Roth IRA? The rules for IRA withdrawals are different for Roth IRAs and traditional IRAs. For instance, qualified withdrawals from a Roth IRA are tax free, since you make contributions with after-tax funds. And there are some other rules about Roth IRAs to keep in mind as well.
If you have a Roth IRA, you may face a Roth IRA withdrawal penalty if you withdraw funds you deposited less than five years ago. This is known as the “five-year rule“. These Roth IRA withdrawal rules also apply to the funds in a Roth rolled over from a traditional IRA. In those cases, if you make a withdrawal from a Roth IRA account that you’ve owned for less than five years, you’ll owe a 10% tax penalty on the account’s gains.
For inherited Roth IRAs, the five-year rule applies to the age of the account, so if your benefactor opened the account more than five years ago, you can access the funds penalty-free. If you tap into the money before that, you’ll owe taxes on the gains.
If you’re wondering about Roth IRA distribution rules, in most cases, you do not have to pay required minimum distributions on money in a Roth IRA account. However, for inherited Roths, IRA withdrawal rules mandate that you take required minimum distributions.
There are two ways to do that without penalty:
• Withdraw funds by December 31 of the fifth year after the original holder died. You can do this in either partial distributions or a lump sum. If the account is not emptied by that date, you could owe a 50% penalty on whatever is left.
• Take withdrawals each year, based on your life expectancy.
1Terms and conditions apply. Roll over a minimum of $20K to receive the 1% match offer. Matches on contributions are made up to the annual limits.
💡 Quick Tip: Did you know that you must choose the investments in your IRA? Once you open a new IRA and start saving, you get to decide which mutual funds, ETFs, or other investments you want — it’s totally up to you.
If you take funds out of a traditional IRA before you turn 59 ½, you’ll owe regular income taxes on the contributions and the gains, per IRA tax deduction rules, plus a 10% penalty. Brian Walsh, CFP® at SoFi specifies, “When you make contributions to a traditional retirement account, that money is going to grow without paying any taxes. But when you take that money out—say 30 or 40 years from now—you’re going to pay taxes on all of the money you take out.”
The rules for withdrawing from an IRA mean that required minimum distributions kick in the year you turn 73. After that, you have to take distributions each year, based on your life expectancy. If you don’t take the RMD, you’ll owe a 50% penalty on the amount that you did not withdraw.
You can make withdrawals from an IRA once you reach age 59 ½ without penalties.
In addition, there are other situations in which you may be able to make withdrawals without having to pay a penalty. These include having medical expenses that aren’t covered by health insurance (as long as you meet certain qualifications), having a permanent disability that means you can no longer work, and paying for qualified education expenses for a child, spouse, or yourself.
Read more about these and other penalty-free exceptions below.
Whether you’re withdrawing from a Roth within the first five years or you want to take money out of a traditional IRA before you turn 59 ½, there are some instances where you don’t have to pay the 10% penalty on your IRA withdrawals.
You can avoid the early withdrawal penalty if you use the funds to pay for unreimbursed medical expenses that total more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).
If you’re unemployed for at least 12 weeks, IRA withdrawal rules allow you to use funds from an IRA penalty-free to pay health insurance premiums for yourself, your spouse, or your dependents.
If you’re permanently disabled and can no longer work, you can withdraw IRA funds without penalty. In this case, your plan administrator may require you to provide proof of the disability before signing off on a penalty-free withdrawal.
IRA withdrawal rules allow you to use IRA funds to pay for qualified education expenses, such as tuition and books for yourself, your spouse, or your child without penalty.
IRA withdrawal rules state that you don’t have to pay the 10% penalty on withdrawals from an IRA, unless you’re the sole beneficiary of a spouse’s account and roll it into your own, non-inherited IRA. In that case, the IRS treats the IRA as if it were yours from the start, meaning that early withdrawal penalties apply.
Recommended: Inherited IRA Distribution Rules Explained
If you owe taxes to the IRS, the agency may take it directly out of your IRA account. In that case, the IRS will not assess the 10% penalty. If you take the money out of the account yourself, however, to pay taxes, you’d also have to pay the 10% penalty.
If you’re a qualified reservist, you can take distributions without owing the 10% penalty. This goes for a military reservist or National Guard member called to active duty for at least 180 days after September 11, 2001.
While you can’t take out IRA loans, you can use up to $10,000 from your traditional IRA toward the purchase of your first home — and if you’re purchasing with a spouse, that goes for each of you. The IRS defines first-time homebuyers as someone who hasn’t owned a principal residence in the last two years. You can also withdraw money to help with a first home purchase for a child or your spouse’s child, grandchild, or parent.
In order to qualify for the penalty-free withdrawals, you’ll need to use the money within 120 days of the distribution.
Another way to avoid penalties under IRA withdrawal rules, is by starting a series of distributions from your IRA, spread equally over your life expectancy. To make this work, you must take at least one distribution each year and you can’t alter the distribution schedule until five years have passed or you’ve reached age 59 ½, whichever is later.
The amount of the distributions must use an IRS-approved calculation that involves your life expectancy, your account balance, and interest rates.
💡 Quick Tip: Before opening an investment account, know your investment objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance. These fundamentals will help keep your strategy on track and with the aim of meeting your goals.
While there may be cases where it makes sense to take an early withdrawal, most advisors agree that it should be a last resort. These are disadvantages and advantages to consider.
• If you have a major expense and there are no other options, taking an early withdrawal from an IRA could help you cover the cost.
• An early withdrawal may help you avoid taking out a loan you would then have to repay with interest.
• By taking money out of an IRA account early, you’re robbing your own nest egg not only of the current value of the money but also future years of compound growth.
• Money taken out of a retirement account now can have a big impact on your financial security in the future when you retire.
• You may owe taxes and penalties, depending on the specific situation.
Like 401(k)s, IRAs are powerful, tax-advantaged accounts you can use to save for retirement. However, it is possible to take money out of an IRA if you need it before retirement age. Just remember, even if you’re able to do so without an immediate tax penalty, the withdrawals could leave you with less money for retirement later.
Ready to invest for your retirement? It’s easy to get started when you open a traditional or Roth IRA with SoFi. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).
You can withdraw your own contributions to a Roth IRA without penalty no matter what your age. However, you cannot withdraw the earnings on your contributions before age 59 ½, or before the account has been open for at least five years, without incurring a penalty.
You can withdraw your own contributions to a Roth IRA at any time penalty-free. But to avoid taxes and penalties on your earnings, withdrawals from a Roth IRA must be taken after age 59 ½ and once the account has been open for at least five years.
However, there are a number of exceptions in which you typically don’t have to pay a penalty for an early withdrawal, including: some medical expenses that aren’t covered by health insurance, being permanently disabled and unable to work, or if you’re on qualified active military duty.
Under the 5-year rule, if you make a withdrawal from a Roth IRA that’s been open for less than five years, you’ll owe a 10% penalty on the account’s earnings. If your Roth IRA was inherited, the 5-year rule applies to the age of the account. So if you inherited the Roth IRA from a parent, for instance, and they opened the account more than five years ago, you can withdraw the funds penalty-free. If the account has been opened for less than five years, however, you’ll owe taxes on the gains.
Photo credit: iStock/Fly View Productions
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
SoFi Invest®
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below:
Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.
SOIN0723096
There once was a time was when retirement meant leaving your job permanently, either when you reached a certain age or you’d accumulated enough wealth to live without working. Today’s retirement definition is changing, and it can vary widely depending on your vision and your individual financial situation.
It’s important for each person to develop their own retirement definition. That can help you establish a roadmap for getting from point A to point B, with the money you have, and in the time frame you’re expecting.
Key Points
• Retirement’s definition may vary based on individual financial situations and personal visions.
• Retirement has both financial and lifestyle aspects that need to be considered in its definition.
• Being retired means relying on savings, investments, and perhaps federal benefits for income instead of a regular paycheck.
• Retirement doesn’t necessarily mean individuals completely leave the labor force, as some retirees may have part-time jobs or pursue new careers.
• Retirement statistics show that a significant portion of retirees rely on Social Security, and savings levels vary among individuals.
Retirement’s meaning may shift from person to person, but the bottom line is that retirement has a financial side and a personal or lifestyle side. It’s important to consider both in your definition of retirement.
Being retired or living in retirement generally means that you rely on your accumulated savings and investments to cover your expenses rather than counting on a paycheck or salary from employment. Depending upon your retirement age, your income may also include federal retirement benefits, such as Social Security and other options.
Retiring doesn’t necessarily mean you stop working completely. You might have a part-time job or side hustle. You may choose to start a small business once you retire from your career. But the majority of your income may still come from savings or federal benefits.
Some people embark on a new life or a new career in retirement, complete with new goals, a new focus, sometimes in a brand-new location. But retirement doesn’t have to be a period of reinvention. It depends on how you view the purpose and meaning of retirement. Many people enjoy this period as a time to slow down and enjoy hobbies or priorities that they couldn’t focus on before.
Consider the notion of moving in retirement. While strolling on sandy, sunlit beaches is depicted as a retirement ideal, many people don’t want to move to get there. In fact, 53% of retirees opt to remain in the house where they were already living, according to a 2022 study by the Center for Retirement Research.
1Terms and conditions apply. Roll over a minimum of $20K to receive the 1% match offer. Matches on contributions are made up to the annual limits.
A qualified retirement plan provides you with money to pay for future expenses once you decide to retire from your job. The Employment Retirement Security Act (ERISA) recognizes two types of retirement plans:
In a defined contribution plan, the amount of money you’re able to withdraw in retirement is determined by how much you contribute during your working years, and how much that money grows as it’s invested. A 401(k) plan is the most common type of defined contribution plan that employers can offer to employees.
There are other kinds of retirement plans that fall under the defined contribution umbrella. For example, if you run a small business, you might establish a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan for yourself and your employees. Profit sharing plans, stock bonus plans, and employee stock ownership (ESOP) plans are also defined contribution plans.
A 457 plan is another defined contribution option. They work similar to 401(k) plans, in that you decide how much to contribute, and your employer can make matching contributions. The main difference between 457 and 401(k) retirement accounts is who they’re designed for. Private employers can offer 401(k) plans, while 457 plans are reserved for state and local government employees.
A defined benefit plan (typically a pension) pays you a fixed amount in retirement that’s determined by your years of service, your retirement age, and your highest earning years. Cash balance plans are another type of defined benefit plan.
Generally speaking, defined benefit plans have been on the wane in the last couple of decades, with more of the responsibility for saving falling to workers, who must contribute to defined contribution plans.
Retirement statistics can offer some insight into how Americans typically save for the future and when they retire. Here are some key retirement facts and figures to know, according to the Federal Reserve’s Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2021 – May 2022:
• 27% of adults considered themselves to be retired in 2021, though some were still working in some capacity.
• 49% of adults said they retired to do something else, while 45% said they’d reached their normal retirement age.
• 78% of retirees relied on Social Security for income, increasing to 92% among retirees age 65 or older.
• 55% of non-retired adults had savings in a defined contribution plan, while just 22% had a defined benefit plan.
• 40% of non-retirees felt that they were on track with their retirement savings efforts.
So, how much does the typical household have saved for retirement? According to the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, the estimated median retirement savings among American workers is $54,000. Just 27% of adults who are traditionally employed and 24% of self-employed individuals have saved $250,000 or more for retirement.
Saving for retirement is an important financial goal. While Social Security may provide you with some income, it’s not likely to be enough to cover all of your expenses in retirement — particularly if you end up needing extensive medical care or long-term care. In 2022, according to the Social Security Administration, the average monthly benefit amount was $1,542.22.
Financial experts often recommend saving 15% of your income for retirement but your personal savings target may be higher or lower, depending on your goals. The longer you have to save for retirement, the longer you have to take advantage of compounding interest. That’s the interest you earn on your interest and it’s one of the keys to building wealth.
Selecting a retirement plan is the first step to getting on track with your financial goals. When saving for retirement, you can start with a defined benefit or defined contribution plan if your employer offers either one. Defined contribution plans can be advantageous because your employer may match a percentage of what you save. That’s free money you can use for retirement.
If you don’t have a 401(k) or a similar plan at work, or you do but you want to supplement your retirement savings, you could open a retirement investment account, otherwise known as an individual retirement account (IRA).
A retirement investment account is an account that enables you to save money for the future, but it isn’t considered a federally qualified retirement plan, like a 401(k). IRAs are tax-advantaged investment accounts that you can use to purchase mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and other securities.
There are two main types of IRAs you can open: traditional and Roth IRAs. A traditional IRA allows for tax-deductible contributions in the year that you make them. Once you retire and begin withdrawing money, those withdrawals are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate.
Roth IRAs don’t offer a deduction for contributions because you contribute after-tax dollars. You can, however, make 100% tax-free qualified withdrawals in retirement. This might be preferable if you think you’ll be in a higher tax bracket once you retire.
Both traditional and Roth IRAs are subject to annual contribution limits. The annual limit for 2022 is $6,000, or $7,000 if you’re 50 or older (the extra amount is often called a catch-up provision). There’s an increase for 2023 to $6,500 for the base amount; the catch-up provision is still $1,000 more, for a total of $7,500.
You can open an IRA online, or at a brokerage, alongside a taxable investment account for a comprehensive retirement savings picture.
Opening an IRA could make sense if you’d like to save for retirement while enjoying certain tax benefits.
• If you’re in a higher income bracket during your working years, being able to deduct traditional IRA contributions could reduce your tax liability.
• And not having to pay tax on Roth IRA withdrawals in retirement can ease your tax burden as well if you have income from other sources.
• IRA accounts often give you more flexibility in terms of your investment choices.
While IRAs can be good savings vehicles for retirement, there are some downsides.
• Both types of accounts have much lower contribution limits compared to a 401(k) or 457 plan. For example, the maximum you can contribute to a 401(k) in 2022 is $20,500, with an additional $6,500 catch-up provision. For 2023, you can contribute $22,500 per year, plus an additional $7,500 if you’re 50 and up.
• With traditional IRAs, you must begin taking required distributions (RMDs) based on your account balance and life expectancy starting at age 72 (401(k)s have a similar rule). If you fail to do so, you could incur a hefty tax penalty.
• Roth IRAs don’t have RMDs, but your ability to contribute to a Roth may be limited based on your income and tax filing status.
However you choose to define your retirement, making a financial roadmap will help you get the retirement you want.
SoFi Invest offers traditional and Roth investment accounts to help you build the future you envision. You can also open a SEP IRA if you’re self-employed and want to get a jump on retirement savings. Another way to keep track your retirement savings is to roll over your old accounts to a rollover IRA, so you can manage your money in one place.
SoFi makes the rollover process seamless and straightforward. There are no rollover fees, and you can complete your 401(k) rollover without a lot of time or hassle.
Retirement generally means leaving your job or the workforce, and living off your savings and investments, but that definition is changing for some. Some people may choose to continue working in retirement, though it may not be their primary source of income. Others may shift their work to focus more on lifestyle changes.
According to the Federal Reserve, about 27% of adults considered themselves to be retired in 2021, though some were still working in some capacity. Of these, 49% said they had retired to do something else, while 45% said they’d reached their normal retirement age.
When someone retires, they stop working at their job. Or, in the case of a business owner, they hand the business over to someone else. At that point, it’s up to them to decide how they want to spend their retirement, which might include taking care of family, traveling, working part-time, or exploring new hobbies. Their sources of income might include savings, investments, a pension, and Social Security benefits.
Photo credit: iStock/Alessandro Biascioli
SoFi Invest® INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below:
Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
SOIN0722010
The average American has less than $90,000 in retirement savings, as of mid-2023. That’s far below what many people will likely need, and many Americans aren’t really sure what sorts of goalposts or milestones they should be striving for by certain ages when it comes to saving for retirement.
It can be helpful to see how one compares to others in their age range. Averages can help investors see if they are on track to retire when they plan to. While each person is different in terms of their personal retirement goals, lifestyle, ability to save, and projected expenses, setting goals and benchmarks can help an individual figure out how much to save and where to put money for retirement.
Key Points
• The average American has less than $90,000 in retirement savings, which is less than what many people will likely need.
• Retirement savings vary by age group, with average savings increasing as people get older.
• By age 30, it’s generally recommended to save an amount equal to annual salary, and by age 40, three to four times annual salary.
• By age 50, it’s advised to have six times annual salary saved, and by age 60, eight times.
• Most Americans aren’t saving enough for retirement, and it’s important to create a retirement plan and consider personal goals and financial responsibilities.
Below is a breakdown of retirement savings by age group, ranging from people in their 20s to people in their 70s.
| Age Group | Average Retirement Savings |
|---|---|
| 20s | $35,800 |
| 30s | $67,400 |
| 40s | $77,400 |
| 50s | $110,900 |
| 60s | $112,500 |
| 70s | $113,900 |
Most Americans in their 20s and 30s haven’t reached their peak earning years, and many might be paying off student loans, and saving up to buy a house or have kids. Retirement isn’t always top of mind. But the earlier people can figure out which retirement plan is right for you and commit to actually starting a retirement savings plan, the more they will benefit from compound interest over time.
Recommended: How to Save for Retirement at 30
Since most people are making more money at this age than they ever have, it can be tempting to spend it on fancy vacations, cars, and other things. Many people also have mortgages, families, and other big-ticket expenses during this time in their lives as well.
But those who put that money towards retirement may be able to reach their goals early and retire relatively young.
For men, these are peak earning years, as they tend to continue increasing their earnings until age 55. Women tend to reach their peak earnings much younger at age 44. Either way, retirement savings should be top of mind for people in this age group.
At this age, some Americans are on track to reach their retirement goals, while others are far off. There are still ways to catch up, such as cutting unnecessary expenses, moving to a smaller home, or putting any additional pay, income, or bonuses into retirement accounts.
Although the goal for many is to retire at around 60, many Americans have to keep working since they don’t have enough savings. In some cases, people plan on working at this stage of life anyway, so it’s not a bad thing. A lot of people work during retirement, although some do so out of necessity.
Ideally, working in later years of life is a choice and not a necessity. After this age, people tend to be spending rather than saving, so the average retirement savings amounts decline.
Retirement contributions tend to increase as people age partly because they are earning more and partly because they are thinking about retirement more.
1Terms and conditions apply. Roll over a minimum of $20K to receive the 1% match offer. Matches on contributions are made up to the annual limits.
Because the cost and standard of living varies so greatly, there aren’t clear dollar figure amounts that each age group should aim to have saved for retirement. But there are suggested guidelines.
• By age 30: It’s generally recommended that people save an amount equal to their annual salary by the time they reach age 30. That may not be a realistic goal for many people, but it can be a general guideline or goal to aspire to.
One way to achieve this is to save 10-15% of one’s gross income starting in their 20s. Some employers will match retirement contributions if employees save a certain amount each month, so it’s a good idea to contribute at least that much to take advantage of what is essentially free money.
• By age 40: It’s recommended that investors have three to four times their annual salary saved by age 40.
• By age 50: Investors are typically advised to have six times their salary saved by age 50.
• By age 60: It’s recommended that investors have eight times their salary saved by age 60.
• By age 67: Investors are typically advised to have ten times their salary saved by age 67. For example, if a 67 year old makes $75,000 per year, they should have $750,000 saved.
Despite the above recommendations, most Americans don’t have nearly these amounts in their retirement accounts. A significant portion of Americans don’t have any retirement savings at all — and that includes Americans who are near retirement age. In a recent SoFi survey of adults aged 18 and over, 59% had either no retirement savings or less than $49,000.
So, while some people are saving enough for retirement, a lot of people aren’t. Social Security may not be enough for a lot of people to make ends meet, either.
It’s more important than ever to create a retirement plan and stick to it, because America is facing a retirement crisis. Social Security was designed to help people pay their expenses during retirement, but it currently pays less than half of the average retiree’s monthly expenses. As of mid-2023, the average Social Security payment is around $1,800 per month.
In addition, people have different perspectives about Social Security. According to SoFi’s recent retirement survey, some adults think it will be their main source of income in retirement, while others see it as a supplement to other income sources. And some people aren’t counting on Social Security at all.
Perceptions of Social Security Perceptions in Retirement
• 41% Perceive SS as a supplementary source of income
• 31% Perceive SS as a their primary source of income
• 16% Aren’t relying on SS as a source of income
• 12% Aren’t sure how to perceive SS in their retirement plans
Source: SoFi Retirement Survey, April 2024
It can be stressful to feel behind on saving for retirement, but it’s never too late to start.
There are several ways to save for retirement — but a good place to start, if you haven’t already, is by creating a budget to track expenses. This allows you to see where your money is going and identify categories of spending that could be reduced, with the money redirected to a retirement savings account.
Some retirement plans also have catch up options for those who start late — typically, individuals older than 50 can contribute extra funds to their retirement accounts.
No matter how much you put aside for retirement, or whether you contribute to a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA, a 401(k) or an after-tax investment account, a good strategy is to automate savings. With automated savings, the money is deducted from your paycheck or your bank account automatically — making it easy to forget that the money was ever in the account in the first place.
The average American has less than $90,000 in retirement savings, though the number varies depending on age groups and other factors. Knowing how much others in your age group are saving for retirement can help give you a sense of comparison, but it’s important to remember that most Americans aren’t saving enough.
There are a number of different formulas, calculations, and rules of thumb to help individuals figure out how much money they’ll need in retirement. While these figures can be helpful, it’s also important to take personal goals, financial responsibilities, and lifestyle into consideration.
Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).
SoFi Invest® INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below:
Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.028%.
SOIN0523058
See what SoFi can do for you and your finances.
Select a product below and get your rate in just minutes.