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Charles Schwab IRA Review and Roth IRA Fees in 2026
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Schwab IRA Review
Key Points:
• Charles Schwab provides a broad range of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).
• Schwab’s website includes multiple IRA-related calculators.
• Retirement accounts at Schwab can be opened as either brokerage or managed accounts.
Looking to save for retirement while lowering your annual tax burden? If so, Charles Schwab’s IRA lineup is definitely worth considering.
Overview of IRAs at Schwab
Charles Schwab offers a wide variety of retirement accounts designed to help investors reduce taxes while saving for the future. Each account type has its own eligibility rules, contribution limits, and tax advantages. The IRA options available at Schwab include:
- Roth
- Traditional
- Rollover
- Inherited (Beneficiary)
- Custodial (Minor)
- SEP
- SIMPLE
Schwab’s SIMPLE IRA can be structured as either Roth or Traditional. In the Roth version, employee contributions are made with after-tax dollars, while employer contributions must still be made on a pre-tax basis.
The Custodial IRA is designed for minors under age 18 who have earned income. It can be opened as either a Roth or Traditional account. In some cases, funds from this account may be used for qualified educational expenses.
Investment Choices for an IRA
In most cases, the same investment products available in a taxable Schwab brokerage account can also be held in an IRA. There are a few exceptions. For example, futures trading is not allowed in retirement accounts, and Schwab’s Global Account (which provides access to international exchanges) cannot be set up as an IRA.
Annuities are available through Schwab and can be held inside an IRA. Certain alternative investments, such as hedge funds and private equity, may also be accessible within a Schwab IRA, depending on eligibility and account setup.
Bonds and target-date mutual funds are also available in Schwab IRAs. The website includes a bond ladder tool that helps investors structure fixed-income investments. Brokered CDs can also be purchased and are accessible through the Trade tab (look for bonds and CDs).
Brokerage IRAs at Schwab
An IRA at Schwab can be opened as either a self-directed brokerage account or a full-service account. A full-service account includes access to a financial advisor, while a self-directed account is managed independently by the investor. In both cases, the same range of investment products is available. Both account types also benefit from Schwab’s extensive branch network.
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Managed IRAs at Schwab
Investors who prefer professional management can choose an investment-advisory account. Schwab offers both robo-advisor and human-advisor options, where investment decisions are handled by a professional or automated system.
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios is the firm’s robo-advisor service. Most IRA types listed above—except Custodial IRAs—can be opened as robo accounts. These accounts typically invest in a limited selection of ETFs.
Full-service advisory IRAs provide access to a broader set of investments and a dedicated financial planner but come with higher account minimums and advisory fees.
IRA Education at Schwab
Schwab offers a wide range of educational resources for IRA investors. On the public website (before logging in), the Accounts & Products tab includes an IRA hub that features extensive materials. At the bottom of this hub, there is a FAQ section covering topics such as contribution limits and withdrawal rules.
After logging in, additional resources can be found under the Learn and Products tabs. For example, the Financial Planning section provides a hub of content covering key retirement topics, including estate planning, home purchases, and building an investment strategy.
IRA Calculators at Schwab
Schwab’s website includes several useful IRA calculators for planning purposes. During our review, we identified the following tools:
- Roth vs. Traditional IRA Calculator
- Retirement Savings Calculator
- RMD Calculator
- Roth IRA Conversion Calculator
- Inherited IRA RMD Calculator
- Inherited IRA Distribution Rules Calculator
These calculators can be accessed through the IRA hub referenced above.
Retirement Help at Schwab
If the available calculators are not sufficient, Schwab offers additional planning tools. One example is the Schwab Plan™, an online planning resource designed for self-directed investors. By entering personal financial data, the tool estimates whether you are on track for retirement goals. It is available at no cost.
Clients using advisory services also have access to human financial advisors who can assist with long-term planning. These professionals are available through Schwab’s nationwide branch network, which includes more than 300 locations.
Fees and Minimums for IRAs at Schwab
A Schwab brokerage IRA can be opened with any deposit amount, including $0. There is no annual fee for maintaining an IRA and no fee to close one. These policies are combined with a competitive commission structure, including commission-free trading for U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs. Some bonds and mutual funds also trade without commissions. Many mutual funds at Schwab have minimum investment requirements as low as $1.
Advisory IRAs at Schwab do have minimum balance requirements. The robo-advisor (Intelligent Portfolios) requires $5,000 to open, while traditional advisory accounts require higher starting balances. Managed accounts may also include annual advisory fees, although the automated service does not charge a direct advisory fee.
How to Open a Schwab IRA
On Schwab’s website, look for the orange “Open an Account” button in the top-right corner. Scroll down to view the different IRA options and select the one that fits your needs. Then follow the prompts to complete the application.
You can also open an IRA using Schwab’s mobile app. After installing the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner and find the option to open a new account. Scroll to the Retirement section to locate IRA options. SEP and SIMPLE IRAs are typically found under the Small Business category.
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Written by Alex Bost
Updated on 4/22/2026.
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