This blog was last updated on Monday, July 6, 2026.
Today, we’re introducing API-enabled Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), a retirement account type available to US tax residents, giving users a new way to manage long-term investments within a tax-advantaged structure.
For the first time, Alpaca brings its developer-first Trading API to retirement accounts, enabling users to automate strategies, rebalance portfolios, and manage retirement investments programmatically.
With the same API access, you can apply automated workflows to your retirement accounts without changing how you build and deploy strategies.
Traditional IRA Challenges for Active Traders
IRAs are a common retirement savings vehicle in the United States, offering potential tax benefits such as tax-deferred growth (Traditional) or tax-free withdrawals (Roth), subject to IRS rules and individual circumstances.
Many IRA platforms are designed for long-term, buy-and-hold investing and may offer limited support for automation or advanced order types. This can lead to manual workflows that don't align with how modern traders and developers approach trading.
Managing Your IRA with Alpaca
Alpaca’s IRA accounts can help address this gap by allowing you to apply your trading expertise directly to your retirement portfolio:
- Algorithmic Trading in Your IRA: Run algorithmic strategies using API access, similar to a taxable account, while utilizing IRA tax advantages.
- Unified Portfolio Management: Manage both taxable and retirement accounts side by side. View holdings, track performance, and manage your portfolio from your dashboard or via API.
- Support for Multi-Asset Trading: You can trade both US equities and options in your retirement account through the same API you already use.
How to Fund, Withdraw, and Transfer your Alpaca IRA
Contributions and distributions are initiated from your dashboard; portfolio transfers via ACATS follow our standard transfer process.
Who Can Apply?
IRA accounts are available to Alpaca’s Trading API users who are US tax residents with a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Ready to Take Control of Your Retirement?
With Alpaca's IRA accounts, you can combine the power of algorithmic trading with a tax-advantaged structure to build and manage your retirement portfolio on your own terms.
Explore how you can open a Roth or Traditional IRA account with Alpaca’s Trading API to support your retirement portfolio management.
See the table above for how to fund your IRA (ACH contributions), take distributions (ACH or Wire), and transfer assets in or out (portfolio transfer via ACATS). Deposits and withdrawals are handled through the Alpaca web portal, not via the API.
If you have not created a live trading account, please check out the guide on how to open a live trading account as a US resident.
If you need help funding your account, see our guide on how to fund your Alpaca Trading API account. IRA contributions are subject to annual contribution limits set by the IRS.
Still have questions? Learn more in our FAQs for Alpaca IRA accounts or contact us at [email protected].
Options trading is not suitable for all investors due to its inherent high risk, which can potentially result in significant losses. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before investing in options.
Please review important Retirement Account Disclosures at https://alpaca.markets/disclosures before deciding to open an individual retirement account.
Investors should consider whether active or algorithmic trading strategies are appropriate for their retirement objectives and risk tolerance. Algorithmic trading involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Tax advantages depend on account type and individual circumstances.
The content of this blogis for general information purposes only. Alpaca does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. Please consult your own independent advisor as to any investment, tax, or legal statements made herein.
All investments involve risk and the past performance of a security, or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will achieve its objectives. Please note that diversification does not assure a profit, or protect against loss. There is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities, or other financial products. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing.
Securities brokerage services are provided by Alpaca Securities LLC (dba "Alpaca Clearing"), member FINRA/SIPC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AlpacaDB, Inc. Technology and services are offered by AlpacaDB, Inc.
This is not an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities or open a brokerage account in any jurisdiction where Alpaca Securities is not registered or licensed, as applicable.
