Ira and Keogh Assets and Contributions

This paper examines the level of assets contained in IRAs and Keoghs; the amount of tax-deductible contributions to them, with a particular focus on IRAs; and the demographic characteristics associated with those who contribute to tax-deductible IRAs. IRA asset levels increased continuously from 1981 through 1999 before declining for three consecutive years from 2000 through 2002. However, in 2003, the IRA asset level increased to a new historic high of $2.98 trillion, re-establishing a nearly 20-year growth trend. The growth of individuals making IRA contributions has not been statistically significant. Higher dollar limits for IRA contributions enacted under EGTRRA are associated with a significant increase in the total amount contributed to tax-deductible IRAs.The PDF for the above title, published in the August 2004 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the fulltext of another August 2004 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: quot;Has There Been a Shift to Small Firms? The Impact of Firm Size on Employment-Based Health Benefits.quot