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 IRAs 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.
- Easy Portfolio Transfers: Ready to move your existing retirement savings? Transfer eligible retirement assets into an Alpaca IRA using supported transfer processes.
Who Can Apply?
IRA accounts are available to the 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 grow 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.
Please note that only portfolio transfers through ACAT are currently supported. Contributions and distributions via ACH and Wire will be available soon.
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.
Still have questions? Learn more in our FAQs for Alpaca IRA accounts or contact us at [email protected].
Please review important Retirement Account Disclosures at https://alpaca.markets/disclosures before deciding to open an individual retirement account.
Algorithmic trading involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Tax advantages depend on account type and individual circumstances.
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The content of this article is for general information only and is believed to be accurate as of posting date but may be subject to change. 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.
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