An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a tax-advantaged savings account designed specifically for retirement. The main appeal is that money you contribute may grow without being taxed each year, and depending on the type of IRA, your contributions might reduce your taxable income. People open IRAs to build retirement savings beyond what an employer offers, or as their primary retirement vehicle if they're self-employed or don't have access to a workplace plan.

The articles here explain how IRAs work, the differences between traditional and Roth accounts, contribution limits and rules, and what types of investments you can hold inside an IRA. You'll learn how to decide which IRA type matches your income level and retirement timeline, what happens when you withdraw money, and how IRAs fit into a broader savings strategy alongside other retirement accounts.