New research highlights importance of IRAs in retirement planning

New research highlights importance of IRAs in retirement planning
More than four in ten US households have IRAs, according to an Investment Company Institute report.
MAR 04, 2024

More than four in ten U.S. households (42%) own individual retirement accounts, amounting to 55.5 million households.

Newly published research from the Investment Company Institute found that traditional and Roth IRAs account for 36% of household financial assets among those owning them, and those individuals were more likely to have engaged in rollover activity, with those owning Roth IRAs also having higher contribution rates.

The study also reveals that IRA holders are generally willing to take some investment risks, with more than 70% holding mutual funds and more than 30% holding ETFs within their IRAs.

Among those with traditional IRAs, 62% of them included rollover assets and 43% of those with rollovers had contributed to their traditional IRAs in addition to the rollovers. Information about rollovers was sought from multiple sources, including financial advisors, employer-provided materials, and content from financial services firms.

Almost nine in ten respondents with traditional IRAs had preserved their entire employer-sponsored retirement plan balance in their most recent rollover. This was mostly due to not wanting to leave assets with their previous employer, consolidation of assets, and desire for more investment options.

In the tax year 2022, two in ten traditional IRA-owning households made contributions, while twice as many Roth IRA owners did so.  

The ICI report, The Role of IRAs in US Households’ Saving for Retirement, 2023, included two surveys conducted in mid-2023 that also found that around two-thirds of traditional IRA–owning households in mid-2023 indicated that they have a multicomponent strategy for managing income and assets in retirement.

Latest News

Integrated Partners, Kestra welcome multigenerational advisor teams
Integrated Partners, Kestra welcome multigenerational advisor teams

Integrated Partners is adding a mother-son tandem to its network in Missouri as Kestra onboards a father-son advisor duo from UBS.

Trump not planning to fire Powell, market tension eases
Trump not planning to fire Powell, market tension eases

Futures indicate stocks will build on Tuesday's rally.

From stocks and economy to their own finances, consumers are getting gloomier
From stocks and economy to their own finances, consumers are getting gloomier

Cost of living still tops concerns about negative impacts on personal finances

Women share investing strengths, asset preferences in new study
Women share investing strengths, asset preferences in new study

Financial advisors remain vital allies even as DIY investing grows

Trump vows to 'be nice' to China, slash tariffs
Trump vows to 'be nice' to China, slash tariffs

A trade deal would mean significant cut in tariffs but 'it wont be zero'.

SPONSORED Compliance in real time: Technology's expanding role in RIA oversight

RIAs face rising regulatory pressure in 2025. Forward-looking firms are responding with embedded technology, not more paperwork.

SPONSORED Advisory firms confront crossroads amid historic wealth transfer

As inheritances are set to reshape client portfolios and next-gen heirs demand digital-first experiences, firms are retooling their wealth tech stacks and succession models in real time.