Personal Finance

This Comprehensive Flowchart Could Help You Choose The Right Retirement Account

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We all know we should be saving for retirement.

The question is: How?

While choosing between the most popular accounts — the Roth IRA, the Traditional IRA, and the 401(k) — is tricky enough, what if your situation is more complicated? What if you're an employer or self-employed?

The flowchart below, from self-directed retirement plan provider Broad Financial, may be able to set you on the right path. To read all the fine print, you can click on the image to zoom. (Mobile readers may want to click on the link above instead to view a static image.)

 

Self-directed means a retirement plan where you actively choose your investments instead of investing them in mutual funds or diversified stock portfolios determined by a professional. According to Broad Financial, self-directed plans may be a fit for someone who wants to invest in something outside the box, like real estate, but can't through a prescribed investment plan.

Note, though, that self-directed plans, which place a lot of responsibility on the investor, aren't for everyone — the flowchart above might give you an idea of whether it's an appropriate option for you.

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Libby Kane was a personal finance expert who has reported and edited stories about money for more than 10 years. She previously held the Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) certification issued by the National Financial Educators Council.Experience She has written and edited articles on everything from investing tips to model budgets and has interviewed dozens of authors, financial planners, and early retirees to share their advice, experiences, and insights with a global audience. Before joining Business Insider in 2014, she was an associate editor at LearnVest, a personal finance site to help women learn about money. Her work has appeared on sites such as MSN, AOL, Forbes, Slate, and The Street.Her team at Business Insider has tackled projects including:• Women of Means, a series about women taking control of their finances• Inside the Racial Wealth Gap, an exploration of the causes, effects, and potential solutions of the racial wealth gap in the US (finalist, Drum Award, "Editorial Campaign of the Year," 2021)• Strings Attached, a series of essays from people who have left insulated communities and how that journey affected their relationship with money• Master Your Money, a year-long guide for millennials on how to take control of their finances  (first runner up, Drum Award, "Best Use of Social Media," 2022)• The Road to Home, a comprehensive guide to buying your first house (silver award winner, National Association of Real Estate Editors, "Best Multi-Platform Package or Series – Real Estate," 2022)Libby believes in one universal truth about money: Advice is never for everyone. The best strategies, tools, and products depend on your preferences, financial situation, history with money, and goals.ExpertiseHer expertise includes:• Behavioral finance• Early retirement• Budgeting• Saving moneyEducationLibby holds a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College.Outside of personal finance, Libby enjoys reading, baking, and walking her dog.