ithinkfi IRA
Traditional and Roth IRAs built on NCUA-insured certificates: contribution rules, rollover support, and the tax basics members ask about.
Where Credit Union Fits Your Setup
- IRA certificates pay the same rates as regular certificates, up to 4.35% APY.
- Deposits are NCUA insured, a protection brokerage IRAs do not offer on the same terms.
- The 2026 contribution limit is $7,000, or $8,000 for those 50 and older.
- Rollovers from 401(k)s and other IRAs complete in 2-3 weeks on average.
Traditional vs Roth
Traditional IRAs defer taxes until withdrawal; Roth IRAs tax contributions now and withdrawals never, in qualified cases.
The choice hinges on your current versus expected retirement tax bracket. Our advisors walk members through the comparison without pushing either product.
This page does NOT provide tax advice; individual situations vary and the IRS publications are the authoritative source.
IRA certificates
IRA funds sit in share certificates paying up to 4.35% APY, with terms matching the regular certificate sheet.
| Term | APY | Contribution limit 2026 | Catch-up (50+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 months | 4.35% | $7,000 | $8,000 |
| 24 months | 4.20% | $7,000 | $8,000 |
| 36 months | 3.95% | $7,000 | $8,000 |
Rates are identical to non-IRA certificates, which is unusual among institutions that quietly pay less on IRA money.
Rollovers and transfers
Rollovers from old 401(k)s complete in 2-3 weeks on average, with the paperwork handled by the branch team.
Direct rollovers avoid withholding entirely. The team prepares the forms, mails them with tracking, and calls when the funds land.
The data does not cover employer-plan nuances like in-service distributions, which require the plan administrator's rules.
Insurance vs investment
IRA certificates carry NCUA insurance on deposits, which protects principal in a way market-based IRAs cannot.
The trade-off is return: certificates pay fixed interest rather than market returns. Members near retirement often weight insurance more heavily, and the product fits that priority.
Members wanting equities can use the credit union's wealth services, where investments carry market risk.
Withdrawal rules to know
Withdrawals before 59.5 generally incur a 10% IRS penalty on top of income tax for Traditional IRAs, with defined exceptions.
Roth contributions can generally be withdrawn anytime, but earnings follow their own rules. Certificate early-withdrawal penalties apply on top of any IRS consequences.
Initially we published a simplified withdrawal chart but found members relied on it for tax decisions, so we now refer members to IRS Publication 590-B.
The branch team handled my 401(k) rollover end to end. Two weeks and the funds were earning 4.2%.
I wanted retirement money insured, not riding the market at my age. The IRA certificate was exactly that.
What IRA types does ithinkfi offer?
Traditional and Roth IRAs are available, both built on share certificates.
What is the IRA contribution limit in 2026?
The limit is $7,000, or $8,000 for members aged 50 and older.
Are IRA deposits insured?
Yes, IRA deposits carry separate NCUA insurance up to $250,000 per depositor.
How long does a 401(k) rollover take?
Rollovers average 2-3 weeks from paperwork to funded account.
Can I withdraw from my IRA early?
Withdrawals before 59.5 generally trigger a 10% IRS penalty plus tax, with defined exceptions.
Opening an IRA certificate
- Choose the type
Traditional or Roth, with advisor guidance if wanted.
- Fund or roll over
Cash contribution or paperwork-driven rollover.
- Pick the term
12, 24, or 36 months at published APYs.
- File the disclosure
IRS forms are completed at opening.
IRA opening volumes
IRA certificate openings rose 34% in 2024, driven by members seeking insured fixed returns after years of market volatility.
The rise mirrors national credit union data, where IRA certificates outperformed most deposit products.
Start your IRA today
Open in-branch or call the team for a rollover kit.
Talk to the TeamThe official methodology is detailed in the ithinkfi overview.
Oversight standards for this sector are published by www.ncua.gov and www.consumerfinance.gov.