IRA stands for what?

IRA stands for Individual Retirement Account. This term refers to a tax-advantaged savings account designed to encourage individuals to save for retirement. Contributions to an IRA may be tax-deductible, and the earnings within the account grow tax-deferred until withdrawal, usually during retirement when tax rates may be lower.

An IRA can come in several forms, such as a traditional IRA, where contributions may be tax-deductible, or a Roth IRA, where contributions are made with after-tax dollars but withdrawals during retirement are tax-free. This account is a fundamental tool in personal financial management for retirement planning, providing individuals with opportunities to grow their savings over time while enjoying certain tax benefits.

The other choices, while related to retirement savings, do not accurately represent the widely accepted term for this specific type of account used for retirement planning.