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Retirement Planning

Start saving for retirement

Starting Out

Start saving
for retirement

Increase retirement savings

Building Wealth

Increase
retirement
savings

Nearing retirement

Nearing Retirement

Maximize
savings
& fine-tune
your plan

Generate retirement income

In Retirement

Generate
retirement
income

Opening an IRA

Thinking about contributing to an IRA? Learn about your choices to see which IRA may be right for you:

Traditional IRA

Pre-tax contributions mean your savings can grow tax-deferred (you don't pay taxes until you take a distribution). Contributions may also be tax deductible.

Roth IRA

You make contributions on an after-tax basis; future withdrawals on contributions and earnings are generally federal income tax-free if you meet certain criteria. Footnote 1

Small business

SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA,
401(k) plan — learn about workplace retirement plans for small businesses and sole proprietors.

Rollover & transfer IRAs

Want to move your retirement plan to Merrill?

Roll over your 401(k)

Consolidating your retirement assets into one easy-to-manage account is simple.Footnote 2 Consider all of your choices

Transfer an IRA to Merrill

When you transfer your IRA to Merrill, it's easier to track your retirement savings progress and make more informed investment decisions.

Our Perspectives

Get insights from Merrill to help you plan and invest for retirement.

See Our Perspectives

Planning for life's priorities

What's most important to you? Our resources, tools and solutions help you invest for your Life Priorities—family, health, work, leisure and more.

Plan for your Life Priorities

Helpful tools & resources
Learn about IRAs
Learn which IRA might be right for you
How much will you need to retire?
Get your personal retirement number with our easy-to-use retirement calculator
See how much you're required to withdraw
Estimate your traditional IRA distributions
Ready to get started?
Footnote 1 Please note, however, that income-based restrictions are still in place regarding how much you an contribute to a Roth IRA.

You have choices about what to do with your employer-sponsored retirement plan accounts. 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 your old job to 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 (particularly with reference to employer stock), and different types of protection from creditors and legal judgments. These are complex choices and should be considered with care. For more information visit our rollover page or call Merrill at 888.637.3343.
Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.
A direct rollover occurs when you request that a rollover check be made payable directly to the new custodian for the benefit of your individual retirement account (IRA) or employer-sponsored retirement plan. A direct rollover is not subject to current tax or penalties.

An indirect rollover occurs when you request that a rollover check be made payable to you, after which you deposit the money into your IRA or another employer's retirement plan within 60 days. When such a distribution is made by the plan, the plan is required by law to withhold 20% of the taxable amount for prepayment of federal income taxes. If you wish to rollover the entire distribution, you must make up the 20% withholding out of your own funds, or you will be subject to income taxes and possibly early withdrawal penalties on the shortfall. If you fail to complete the rollover within 60 days, all or part of the money distributed to you will be taxable and a 10% additional tax for early withdrawals may apply.

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