A Roth IRA and a traditional IRA are two different ways to save money for retirement, and they work in opposite ways with taxes. With a traditional IRA, you may deduct contributions from your taxes now, but you pay taxes on the money when you withdraw it later. With a Roth IRA, you contribute money that's already been taxed, but your withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. Understanding which structure fits your situation means knowing how each one handles taxes, contribution limits, and when you can take your money out.

These articles explain the mechanics of each account type so you can see how they differ in practice. You'll learn how contributions work, what happens to your money as it grows, when you're allowed to withdraw funds, and how the tax treatment actually affects your long-term savings. The goal is to understand what each account does so you can make a choice that matches your financial picture.