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Wherever you are in the investing cycle, we can help you make more informed investment decisions.

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Understand specific advantages to various retirement, investing, and savings accounts
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You can make online and phone transfers by linking most Merrill Edge accounts with an eligible bank account, including a Bank of America account.
Some accounts offer certain tax advantages1 related to specific investing goals, like retirement and education; others accounts are better suited if you need to keep your funds liquid for easier access. Consider these options:

Retirement accounts

  • Roth IRA: Contributions are made on an after-tax basis—in other words, with money that has been taxed already. Future withdrawals on contributions and earnings are generally federal income tax-free if you meet certain criteria.2

  • Traditional IRA: Your investments have the potential to grow tax-deferred, which means that you don't pay taxes until you take a distribution. Contributions also may be tax deductible.

  • Rollover IRA: One easy-to-manage account where you can consolidate former employer plans or any other IRAs. A Rollover IRA isn't right for everyone. Consider all of your choices and learn if a Rollover IRA may be right for you.3

  • Small business 401(k) plan, SEP IRA & SIMPLE IRA: Evaluate the retirement account options for your business.

Try the IRA Selector to see which IRA may be right for you.

College planning

Investing & savings

More ways to invest

  • Merrill Guided Investing: to pursue your investing goals online with a low-cost portfolio built, managed and rebalanced by the investment professionals at Merrill Lynch.5

  • Invest with an advisor: who can help you pursue your financial goals and plan for what matters most to you.

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Footnote 1 Neither Merrill Lynch nor any of its affiliates or financial advisors provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

Footnote 2 There is a single, 5-year holding period when determining whether earnings can be withdrawn as part of a qualified distribution free of federal (and, in most cases, state) income tax from a Roth IRA. This period begins January 1 of the year of the first contribution to any Roth IRA account.

Footnote 3 You have choices for what to do with your employer sponsored retirement plan. Depending on your financial circumstances, needs and goals, you may choose to roll over to an IRA or convert to a Roth IRA, roll over an employer sponsored plan from a prior employer to an employer sponsored plan at your new employer, take a distribution or leave the account where it is. Each choice may offer different investment options and services, fees and expenses, withdrawal options, required minimum distributions, tax treatment and provide different protection from creditors and legal judgments. These are complex choices and should be considered with care. Visit http://www.merrilledge.com/retirement/rollover-ira or call a Merrill Edge rollover specialist at 888.637.3343 for additional information about your choices.

Footnote 4 Any earnings withdrawn that are not used for such expenses are subject to federal income tax and may be subject to a 10% additional federal tax as well as state and local income taxes.

Footnote 5 Chief Investment Office ("CIO") develops the investment strategies for Merrill Guided Investing, including providing its recommendations of ETFs and related asset allocations. Managed Account Advisors LLC, Merrill Lynch's affiliate, is the overlay portfolio manager responsible for implementing the Merrill Guided Investing strategies for client accounts, including facilitating the purchase and sale of ETFs in client accounts and updating account asset allocations when the CIO's recommendations change, while also implementing any applicable individual client or firm restriction(s).

Please review the Merrill Guided Investing Program Brochure at merrilledge.com/guided-investing-program-brochure for important information including pricing, rebalancing, and the details of the investment advisory program. Your recommended investment strategy will be based solely on the information you provide to us for this specific investment goal and is separate from any other advisory program offered with us. This program is not offered through an advisor.

Asset allocation, diversification and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

Merrill Edge investment advisory programs are offered by MLPF&S. Merrill EdgeFootnote ® is available through Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S), and consists of the Merrill Edge Advisory Center (investment guidance) and self-directed online investing.

MLPF&S and Managed Account Advisors LLC (MAA) are registered investment advisers. Investment adviser registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

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