What did you learn from your exploration?: An IRA is a tax-advantaged investment account that you can use to save for retirement. Technically, IRA stands for Individual Retirement Arrangement, but the 'A' in the acronym is colloquially referred to as an account. IRAs are particularly valuable tools for the 33 percent of private industry workers in the U.S. who do not have access to a workplace-based retirement plan. Too often, that lack of a 401(k) from an employer means that people don't save for retirement, but IRAs give all workers a convenient way to prepare for their golden years. It's important to note that IRAs can also be ideal for the 67 percent of people who do have access to a workplace-based plan. If you're maxing out your contributions there or you simply want another option with more control over your investment, an IRA can present a great way to save even more money for retirement. How does an IRA work? Using an IRA versus a regular taxable brokerage account for retirement feels similar to the difference between speeding through the E-Z Pass lane on the highway or stopping at the toll booth every 20 miles: You're going to get