I

Abbreviation for Individual Retirement Account. A savings programs available to individuals. These plans allow for a certain amount to be deposited each year. This money is not subject to income tax for that year or following years as long as it is not withdrawn. The money is taxed as withdrawn upon retirement, usually when the depositor is in a lower tax bracket. During the life of the account, the money may be put into various interest bearing investments or invested in stocks. Securities dealers as well as banking institutions now offer IRA's.

An IRA constitutes a contract between the person who establishes the ...