Financial products for investing your money.*

        A tax-favored account that permits anyone under age 70½ who has earned income from employment to contribute up to $5,000 per year, $6,000 per year if age 50 or older, subject to certain income limitations.  A joint contribution of $10,000 per year is permitted for a working and non-working spouse; $12,000 per year if both are age 50 or older.  Contributions are tax-deductible under certain conditions.  Earnings are tax-deferred.  Withdrawals are taxable and are required beginning at the age of 70½.**  Contribution limits increase for tax years 2002 through 2009 due to the enactment of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 in accordance with the chart below.

        A tax-favored account into which savings are transferred from an existing qualified retirement plan (e.g. 401(k) plan) to a Traditional IRA.  Contributions and withdrawals follow the same guidelines as a Traditional IRA.**

        A tax-favored account that permits anyone regardless of age with earned income from employment to contribute up to $5,000 per year, $6,000 per year if age 50 or older, subject to certain income limitations.  A joint contribution of $10,000 per year is permitted for a working and non-working spouse; $12,000 per year if both are age 50 or older.  Contributions are not tax-deductible.  Earnings are tax-deferred.  Withdrawals are tax-free under certain conditions.**  Contribution limits increase for tax years 2002 through 2009 due to the enactment of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 in accordance with the chart above.

        A tax-favored account that permits anyone to contribute on behalf of a child up to $2,000 per child per year.  Contributions are not tax-deductible.  Withdrawals used to pay for qualified educational expenses may be tax-free.  Certain income restrictions exist.

        A national college savings program authorized and created under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code that enables individuals to save and invest on a tax-deferred basis at a variable rate of return to fund college or graduate school expenses.  Parents, grandparents, other relatives or people not related to the beneficiary can contribute.  There is no annual limit on contributions until an account exceeds $345,000.  Contributions are not tax-deductible.  Withdrawals from the plan are federally tax-free if used for qualifed higher education expenses for the beneficiary.

        A contract with an insurance company in which you agree to deposit a specific amount of money with the insurance company.  The insurance company agrees to pay a fixed rate of interest on your funds as long as the contract exists.  The interest you earn accumulates tax-deferred.  There are also variable annuities which pay a variable rate of return.  Withdrawals are taxable.**

        An open-end management investment company that pools the money of many investors and hires an investment manager to invest that money in an attempt to achieve one or more financial objectives.  These financial objectives can be broadly classified as current income, capital growth and capital preservation.



*    Stephen M. Polizzi Agency, Peak Brokerage Services, LLC and their agents do not provide legal or tax advice.  For specific legal or tax advice concerning your situation, please consult your attorney or tax advisor.

**  Federal restrictions and a tax penalty may apply to withdrawals prior to age 59½.