A n IRA conversion to Roth is a popular pre-retirement or early retirement move. Roth IRAs offer several benefits that ...

RMDs: Beginning at age73 (or 75 if you were born in 1960 or later), you must begin taking RMDs from your 401 (k), even if you ...

Roth IRA: 401(k) Contribution limit: $7,000 until age 50 when catch up contributions allow for a total of $8,000: $23,000 until age 50 when catch up contributions allow for a total of $30,000 ...

The good news is this: Choosing between a Roth IRA and a 401(k) is not an all-or-nothing scenario. There's no rule saying you can't invest in both, and that may be precisely what you decide to do.

For example, if you have $60,000 in taxable income and contribute $5,000 to a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k), you still have $60,000 in taxable income, and your take-home pay is reduced by $5,000.

Unlike a traditional 401(k) or IRA, where withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, Roth IRAs provide tax-free withdrawals in retirement, provided you meet the five-year rule and are over 59½.

The Roth IRA is a favorite among personal finance experts as a top choice for retirement savings.But a Roth 401(k) could be an even better option for many people.

A Roth IRA allows penalty-free and tax-free access to your contributions at any time, but a Roth 401(k) can give you access to up to half of your account, including the growth.

If your employer does not offer a 401(k), then your best option is a Roth IRA. “The Roth IRA will give you the same tax benefits on your growth as the Roth 401(k),” Meyer said.

A Roth IRA and a traditional IRA both have unique benefits. Getty Images/iStockphoto If you're looking to start investing but don't have access to an employer-sponsored 401(k) - or if you've maxed ...

It has some important drawbacks to consider though, which favors saving in an IRA instead.