IN LAYMANS TERMS, JUST WHERE AND HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT SETTING UP AN ROTH IRA ?

[Guest FATHER MURPHY]

FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO GO ABOUT BUYING A ROTH IRA, I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT WHERE AND HOW TO GO ABOUT DOING IT. I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO START EXCEPT BY JUST ASKING QUESTIONS. I AM LOOKING FOR ANSWERS THAT DON'T COME OFF CONFUSING YOU MORE THAN GIVING YOU AN ANSWER. ALL HELP AND INPUT WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

[david rigby]

1. Please turn off your CapsLock key. All capital letters is the equivalent of shouting.

2. Get and read one of these: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p590.pdf

You can call 1-800-TAX-FORM to order a copy.

[Appleby]

…to actually set up a Roth IRA, you would contact your financial institution, bank, credit union, brokerage firm etc. and tell them you want to establish a Roth IRA.

They will (should) provide you with a Roth IRA kit, which includes an explanation of the Roth IRA rules from a general regulatory perspective, and rules specific to the financial institution, such as fees, investment options etc... and the Roth IRA adoption agreement. The Roth IRA is established when you sign the Roth IRA adoption agreement and it is accepted by your financial institution, which uses it as the basis for opening your Roth IRA account.

In addition to the Roth IRA documents you may need to complete a new account application. Some firms have this built-in to the Roth IRA application/adoption agreement.

[John G]

Adding to the above:

The initial decision you make is to choose a custodian - which includes bank, credit union, brokerage, mutual fund, etc. There are thousands.... you need one. Part of the decision is what is convenient for you. Another part is what fees does the custodian charge - which range from zero to up to $100 - zero or under $15 sounds a lot better to me. Finally, you need to also consider what investment options are available with that custodian.

Second major choice in investment option. For most people, this should be no load mutual funds with a significant part of those broadly in stocks. You can search this message board for "just getting started" or "beginner" or other keywords and find this topic has gotten covered a lot.

Sounds like you should also get some materials to read from Kiplinger Financial, Consumer Reports or your local library on investing and Roths.

I highly recommend that you contact at least 3 (THREE !) different custodians such as a mutual fund company (Fidelity, Vanguard, TRowe Price, etc. use your internet search engine), discount broker (Etrade, Schwab, Scottrade, etc.), and perhaps the local bank. Ask them for a "beginner kit" - the better houses all have materials for the person just getting started. If they don't, try someone else. Roth accounts are highly prized and custodians are motivated to get your business.

THEN ..... post again. I am sure you will have questions.

[John G]

Also.....

Custodian choice is not permenant. You can switch custodians - the best way is by filling out forms with the new custodian and they will directly notify the old custodian to arrange the transfer.

Two potential sticking points:

(1) many custodians now charge a termination fee - but some custodians are so eager for your $$$ that they will often refund that cost (Scwhab does this for example)

(2) if you are invested in propietary mutual funds, you may not be able to port them to the new custodian.... or the new custodian may not allow you a zero cost transaction that was allowed at your first custodian

HOW IS IT GOING ? Got questions now ?

[BeckyMiller]

But, if the question came from "Father" Murphy, should we really be answering in layman's terms????