A long time ago, a coach told us 80% of success was in the footwork. I can’t remember if it was in reference to playing linebacker, or fielding a baseball, or defending the basket. Certainly, in all those endeavors, one’s position is important.

Add this to the list: how your investments are positioned. Many people have a number of different kinds of accounts, from traditional retirement accounts to Roth IRA’s to regular taxable accounts. Where you own what may make a big difference.

For example, because the gains in Roth IRA accounts will never be taxed even when withdrawn, if the rules are followed, it makes sense to hold the most dynamic investment opportunities inside Roth IRA’s. (Of course, no guarantees – we can’t know the future.) There is little sense in having your most boring investments in your Roth account.

Conversely, investments you might own forever, blue chip stocks for example, might best be owned in taxable accounts. If you don’t sell in your lifetime, you will not owe tax on gains. And heirs get a stepped-up cost basis, a big tax break if there are large unrealized gains.

The key to this idea is managing your investments on a household basis. If you are thinking about the big picture, you do not need to have each individual account be balanced and diversified, nor do you need to make sure you are making transactions in each individual account every year. It could benefit you to have just a few high-potential holdings inside your Roth, and ‘buy and hold’ stocks in your taxable account, as part of a coherent household strategy.

Later in 2020, LPL Financial will start performing investment advisory account supervision on a household basis, rather than an account by account basis. This will make it easier for us to maintain the positioning strategy, with fewer conversations behind the scenes to be sure we can do our best work for you.

Clients, if you would like to talk about this or anything else, please email us or call.

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.

The Roth IRA offers tax deferral on any earnings in the account. Withdrawals from the account may be tax free, as long as they are considered qualified. Limitations and restrictions may apply. Withdrawals prior to age 59 ½ or prior to the account being opened for 5 years, whichever is later, may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax. Future tax laws can change at any time and may impact the benefits of Roth IRAs. Their tax treatment may change.