how do iras earn money
1 Contribution: the amount of money you personally invest in a Roth IRA. 2  Earnings: money you, the contributor, earn on your investments. 3  Heir: a person you designate in your will to receive property when you die.4  Profit: the return you make on your investment.ecause you invest your money into a Roth IRA after taxes, you don't have to pay taxes on the earnings upon withdrawal of the funds at or after the maturity date. This is different from other types of IRAs, 401(k) , or 403(b) where you will pay taxes when you withdraw funds.