How do most americans invest for their retirement?

Ardelia Liptow: Most use 401k accounts. These are provided by their employers. Some use IRA accounts both traditional and Roth. Within 401k account a limited number of investment options are provided most being mutual funds. Quite frankly I suspect that many perhaps even most that do not have access to 401k account do not invest for retirement. They live for today and to hell with the unforeseeable future. They are probably laughing at the ones who did invest now because unlike the investors they lost nothing and probably walked away from their mortgage too....Show more

Ricky Frazer: Most americans DO NOT invest for their retirement. However the few that do usually invest according to their age. They invest in risky stocks while they are younger and as they grow older they begin to invest more and more into bonds and money market funds. The best way to do this is by investing in mutual funds.

Verena Koop: It would depends on your tax bracket. You can ! get lots of tax discounts investing in an IRA (Individual Retirement Account). May make lots of since to get a Roth IRA if you have several years because the growth is tax free. There are more mutual funds than stocks, so this is where many people invest and they can help you become diverse to offside risk.

Lionel Tanen: There are 401K, 403b, Roth IRA, traditional IRA, SIMPLE, pension plans, social security, and investments. But many people don't have enough funds in those accounts.I also agree with the previous answer that many people don't save anything and it might just turn out to be the best way to live.

Son Ahlers: Most Americans, invest for retirement thru their 401k plans at work. Or if they have no 401k, then an IRA. The best way, is a mix of stock, and bond mutual funds, as well as money markets.