| |
Traditional IRA |
Roth IRA |
Coverdell
Education Saving Acct |
| Who’s
Eligible? |
People not covered
by an employer’s retirement plan |
Based on income,
may participate in employer’s plan |
Beneficiaries under
age 18(Education IRAs cannot accept contributions behalf of beneficiaries
older than 18) |
| Key
Feature |
Tax-deferred
investment and earnings growth |
Tax-free investment
growth |
Tax-deferred growth
of investment earnings; tax-free withdrawal for qualified education
expenses |
|
Contribution
Limit
(pre-tax
eligibility subject to income limits)
|
2005-2007: $4,000
2008-2010: $5,000
|
Post-tax
2005-2007: $4,000
2008-2010: $5,000
|
Up to $2,000 per
year (except for rollovers from other Education IRAs); subject to income
limitations |
| Tax
Deductible Contributions |
Yes, depending on
income |
No |
No |
| Must Start
Taking Withdrawals by |
Age 70 ½ |
N/A |
Age 30 (remaining
funds may be rolled into a Coverdell Account for another beneficiary) |