First the question of set up. If you establish a ROTH IRA, there is no age limit, however, with a traditional IRA, the limit for establishing the IRA is 70.5. IRAs can only be finded by income derived from work, so assuming you have a salary, funds can be withdrawn after the age of retirement. In the case of a traditional IRA, you can withdraw earnings as soon as they accumulate as long as you begin withdrawal by April 1st of the year after you turn 70.5.