Choose type and provider
- Decide Roth vs. traditional (income and goals determine which).
- Pick a low-cost broker or fund company (e.g. index funds, target-date funds).
- Open the account online; have ID and SSN ready.
Fund it
- Know the annual contribution limit for your age.
- Set up a recurring transfer from your bank if you're contributing over time.
- Choose investments; don't leave contributions in cash.
Ongoing
- Increase contributions when you get raises.
- Confirm beneficiaries are set.
- Track contributions if you're doing backdoor Roth or have multiple IRAs.