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Brokerage Account vs. Roth IRA: An Overview
While most people are familiar with employer-sponsored 401(k)s and individual retirement accounts (IRAs), other options exist that may serve you better when saving for retirement. Two such options to consider are the non-tax-advantaged brokerage account and the Roth IRA, each of which has its own set of pros and cons. A brokerage account
Key Takeaways
- Starting a brokerage account to save for the future or for retirement gives you access to the stock market, mutual funds, and other securities.
- Roth individual retirement accounts (Roth IRAs) allow you to contribute taxable money now so that you can have access to tax-free money when you retire.
- Taxes for either option are handled differently, which may make you prefer one over the other.
- You can open a brokerage account at the same time you have a Roth IRA.
Brokerage Account
If your idea of preparing for the future includes buying and selling a range of investments, then you likely will be interested in a brokerage account.
Rather than personally handling the day-to-day trading yourself, you can use a brokerage account (also known as a taxable account) that requires you to deposit your money into an account with a licensed brokerage firm. That firm will then take your funds and use them to make various trades on your behalf.
Any assets gained when sold are immediately taxable by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as capital gains. You can also manage the assets on your own without paying the fees for asset management.
Different types of brokerage accounts and brokerage firms can give investors varying degrees of control over their investments. For example, full-service brokers work to provide their clients with as much guidance as possible, albeit at a significantly marked-up rate.
There are also different types of accounts within each brokerage firm, such as the cash account and margin account.
Note
Cash accounts require that the investor pay for any purchased securities as they’re bought, while a margin account allows your brokerage firm to lend you cash to buy securities. Existing securities in your portfolio are then used as collateral against the loan that you receive for your portfolio.
Benefits of a Brokerage Account
Just as there are multiple kinds of brokerage accounts, there are numerous reasons why opening one to plan for the future may be right for you. Here are some reasons why people find brokerage accounts to be an attractive option.
- No income requirements or contribution limits. Unlike retirement plans, a brokerage account doesn’t discriminate between people with very little income and people with large bank accounts. Nor do brokerage accounts limit how much money you can invest in your account.
- You can invest in nearly anything. One of the most enticing aspects of opening a brokerage account is the flexibility with which you can begin investing. You can build a diverse investment portfolio to buy and sell stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, and other securities.
- You can withdraw funds early without repercussions. Most retirement plans restrict when you can withdraw money from your savings, but nothing stops you from withdrawing money from your brokerage account as long as you pay your taxes.
- No mandatory distributions. It doesn’t matter how old you are at any given point. You won’t be required to take money out of your brokerage account. In fact, if you have any retirement plans with mandatory distributions, you can easily deposit those required withdrawals into your brokerage account.
Drawbacks of a Brokerage Account
While there’s plenty to like about a brokerage account, there are also factors contributing to why you may not want to open one.
- Returns aren’t guaranteed. The stock market can be volatile. Whenever you put your money into the market, there is no guaranteed return on your investment.
- Income and capital gains are taxed directly. Unlike most retirement investment plans, brokerage accounts are taxed at nearly all levels, including dividends, capital gains, and interest.
- No tax breaks for contributions or withdrawals. The biggest drawback of a brokerage account versus other types of retirement accounts (not including Roth IRAs) is that there’s no initial tax advantage. You fund the account with after-tax money, then pay taxes on investment gains when you withdraw.
Regardless of whether you invest in a brokerage account or a Roth IRA, you will benefit the most the earlier you invest due to compounding. Typically, financial advisers recommend giving priority to saving for retirement with an IRA, 401(k), or another employer-sponsored plan before investing in a brokerage account.
Roth IRA
A Roth IRA account is a type of individual retirement account that provides tax-free withdrawals in the future in exchange for making after-tax contributions now. Growth within the IRA is also tax-free and can be started as early as you want, as long as you have qualifying earned income. It’s possible to open a brokerage account at the same time you have a Roth IRA. Neither of those types of accounts needs to be connected with an employer, adding some flexibility.
Benefits of a Roth IRA
Roth IRAs are popular for their flexibility and ease of use. Here are some reasons why you may want to open a Roth IRA:
- Excellent tax benefits. One of the biggest reasons to use a Roth IRA is its tax benefit. You don’t pay tax on the earnings on your contributions, and all withdrawals are tax-free after you meet some criteria. Your contributions are yours to withdraw at any time.
- Zero required minimum distributions (RMDs). In some retirement plans, you must begin taking money out of your account at a certain age. Roth IRAs don’t have this restriction, allowing you to continue growing your investment after retirement.
- Potential tax diversification if paired with other retirement plans. Roth IRAs can be combined with other retirement saving plans to diversify how taxes are calculated as money is withdrawn during retirement. Because you’ve already paid taxes on your contributions, any withdrawals from your Roth IRA won’t be taxed.
Drawbacks of a Roth IRA
Even though Roth IRAs have many benefits, there are factors to consider before opening one.
- Taxes are charged as you deposit funds. To benefit from zero taxes on future withdrawals, your contributions to the Roth IRA are taxed upfront. The account won’t decrease your taxable income like a traditional IRA or 401(k) will.
- The maximum contribution level is low. Depending on how much money you make each year, you may be limited on how much you can contribute. In 2024 and 2025, the limit is $7,000. Those aged 50 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution.
- Income limits can hamstring contributions. Depending on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), you may be limited in how much you can contribute to your Roth IRA. In 2025, the income phaseout limits for married couples filing jointly are between $236,000 and $246,000 (up from $230,000 and $240,000 for 2024). For singles and heads of household, they are between $150,000 and $165,000 (up from $146,000 and $161,000 for 2024).
Special Considerations
While you can withdraw contributions from your Roth IRA at any time, you must wait at least five tax years and be at least 59½ years old to withdraw earnings if you want to do so without incurring taxes or penalties. This is known as the five-year rule.
The only time consideration for withdrawing from a brokerage account is how long you have held onto specific investments due to tax considerations. Profits on assets held for less than a year will incur taxes at the individual’s ordinary income tax brackets. Investments sold at a profit that were held for at least a year will incur long-term capital gains taxes, which are much lower than ordinary taxes.
Are There Fees Associated With a Brokerage Account?
Yes. You will pay a range of fees if you open and maintain a brokerage account. Those fees include transaction costs like commissions and markups, as well as any extra fees associated with some investments. Most brokerage accounts today don’t charge for transactions for stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds, so the cost of those activities is zero.
How Does a Discount Brokerage Work?
Do-it-yourself investors might consider a discount brokerage firm—such as Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, Vanguard, or Fidelity—which carries significantly lower fees than full-service brokerage firms. The price for lower fees tends to be fewer services, although investors who mainly want low-cost investment trades and easy-to-use online trading software might find this a fair tradeoff.
How Does Growth Work in a Roth Individual Retirement Account (Roth IRA)?
The rate of growth in your Roth IRA depends on when you start investing—and what you invest in. If you start early, you have the benefits of time and compound interest on your side. Even a modest contribution will grow if invested in stocks, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Starting later will necessitate more up-front investment to reach the same goals.
Is It Better To Withdraw from a Roth IRA or a Brokerage Account?
Generally, the first places you should withdraw from are your taxable brokerage accounts—the least tax-efficient accounts because they are subject to capital gains and dividend taxes. By tapping into these first among your accounts meant for retirement savings, you give your tax-advantaged accounts like a Roth IRA more time to grow and compound.
The Bottom Line
There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing a retirement plan. If your choice is narrowed to opening a brokerage account or starting a Roth IRA, it should come down to where you are in life and what you’re able to contribute. With some research and knowledge about your options, you can find the retirement plan that’s right for you.