Why the MyRA Isn't Your Best Retirement Choice

President Obama recently announced his new retirement account, the MyRA, which he hopes will help raise the number of people who save for retirement. But even though the MyRA should help give greater access to retirement-savings options for many people of modest means, it has some shortfalls that make it a less-than-perfect retirement saving option.

In the following video, Dan Caplinger, The Motley Fool's director of investment planning, explains some of the problems with the MyRA. Even though the MyRA encourages tiny contributions, the only investment choice participants have is in bond-like investments. That doesn't give investors the growth prospects they could get from Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF , SPDR S&P 500 , or other stock investments. Dan notes that with many brokers offering access to commission-free index ETFs and mutual funds for those who are able to contribute as little as $50 to $100 per month, many people don't need the additional flexibility of $5 minimum contributions that MyRAs offer and should instead take advantage of the growth opportunity that stocks provide.

The best stock ideas for your IRA
As helpful as the MyRA might be, your best investment strategy is to buy shares in solid businesses and keep them for the long term. In the special free report "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich," The Motley Fool shares investment ideas and strategies that could help you build wealth for years to come. Click here to grab your free copy today.

The article Why the MyRA Isn't Your Best Retirement Choice originally appeared on Fool.com.

Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of TD Ameritrade. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2014 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.