The weakening economy and growing deficits are making everyone uneasy, especially as we try to plan and save for our retirement years . Your smartest defense might be to open a Roth IRA. Contributions to the Roth are not tax deductible, but the important advantage comes as the investments it holds grow in a tax free environment, and the big payoff happens when you are able to take distributions from the Roth totally tax free. With taxes projected to increase , you protect yourself from being taxed as you begin your retirement when you open a Roth IRA. choose a self directed Roth and you’ll have the most control over your investments, and be able to make non-traditional choices that have greater potential for growth and more stability holding their value. in a self directed plan, you can make solid investments in real estate, tax liens and precious metals, as well as the more traditional stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Be sure the custodial company you choose to house the account provides these options and is experienced at handling them. Ask about their services and the fee schedule, so you know what to expect on costs for transfers and other transactions. if you open a Roth IRA, be aware that after five years of seasoning and when you reach age 59 ½ , you are eligible to take disbursements from the account tax free. for some people , another benefit of the Roth account is being allowed to continue funding the account beyond the age of 70 ½, when traditional IRA plans require distributions start. With a Roth, you may continue contributing to the account as long as you wish , or even leave it as a legacy to your heirs. Like other IRA plans, the Roth even has a catch-up exception for individuals over the age of 50 that allows them to contribute an extra $1000 yearly . There are numerous advantages to consider, so do your research and find out if you should open a Roth IRA. It’s time to decide!