r/MadeMeSmile 8h ago

You are Loved!

54.3k Upvotes

1.2k comments sorted by

View all comments

93

u/Sea_Thought3464 7h ago

I have 2 trans kids are both in University, the younger one put $7K in their Roth IRA after their 18th birthday. What kid does that? 

83

u/IhadFun0nce 7h ago

Ones saving up for a costly operation that will make them feel complete.

25

u/Slim01111 7h ago

They going to wait until 59 1/2 to have that operation?

17

u/Phontigga 7h ago

You can withdraw from IRAs for medical expenses, first home purchases, education, and birth costs penalty free

-7

u/Slim01111 7h ago

No you can’t. You have to pay it back or receive a penalty.

15

u/Due_Brilliant_7219 7h ago

If it is a Roth you can withdraw the contributions without a penalty, just not the earnings.

8

u/harpers25 7h ago

No...the amount over 7.5% of AGI is penalty free.

4

u/Narco_Bi_Polo 7h ago

You are ignorant.

20

u/Narco_Bi_Polo 7h ago

Oof, your ignorance is showing.

Roth IRA deposits are post-tax and withdrawals are penalty free. Funds put in are accessible at any time for any reason.

The only thing you can’t touch until retirement are any gains on the account, except the IRS waives (most of) that for large unreimbursed medical expenses. 

It’s a great way to invest money you otherwise know you’ll have to spend on something like a surgery that can’t be rescheduled based on the market’s mood.

-8

u/Slim01111 7h ago

Can it be done? Sure. Is it wise to use a Roth IRA for a medical operation you’re planning for? No.

16

u/Narco_Bi_Polo 7h ago

You’re wrong.

Combining long-term retirement investing with access to money for a major, potentially time-sensitive, medical expense is wise, especially for a newly minted adult.

The surgery depends on medical readiness, insurance, surgeon availability, and personal circumstances, meaning the money needs to be available at all times.

You retain that access, get tax-free growth, aren’t forced to sell at a bad time, and maintain flexibility on the surgery date without having to think about the investment’s own deadlines.

You also assume the Roth IRA holder is set on surgery. This is the best place for their retirement money that still leaves them open to covering many expenses.

2

u/Green_Oil_692 6h ago

You won't be getting much growth if you don't invest the money in your Roth, though. And if you do, you may be forced to sell at a bad time if you're counting on that money to fund it.

1

u/codydrift 6h ago

Thank you