There are many factors that go into this decision. Here are some things to consider: With a Roth IRA, you pay taxes now. So if you're in a lower tax bracket, you may want to take advantage of that. Another benefit of a Roth IRA is that since you already paid taxes on your contributions, you can take those contributions out if you really need to without paying penalty fees (penalties would likely apply to a Traditional IRA). With a Traditional IRA, you defer taxes until you are retired and you may be eligible for a tax deduction in the current year (rules apply, please double check). Individuals in a hog tax bracket now who believe their tax bracket may be lower in retirement may want to consider a Traditional IRA. There are income restrictions and contributions limits so please check the latest rules to make sure you qualify.