Roth IRA a Good Bet for Retirement Plan, Analysts Concur.

Byline: Clare Howard

Aug. 18--PEORIA, Ill.--Financial experts who talk in dry, analytical terms are prone to joyful exuberance when praising the Roth IRA.

"Beautiful, simply beautiful. One of your best ways to invest for retirement, plus it's also a whole lot more," said a financial consultant and certified public accountant.

The chief financial officer at CEFCU has started a Roth for her teen-aged daughter. A CEFCU vice president said as soon as his 13-year-old child has earned income, he will open one for her. An investment representative advises all her clients to consider a Roth.

Concern over the 1 percent savings rate for Americans lead Congress to pass legislation establishing the Roth IRA in 1997. Roth is chock full of inducements to encourage savings. Among the benefits:

-- Invested funds grow tax- free and are accessible for any reason without tax penalty.

-- Roth funds can be established with unlimited levels of risk from aggressive stocks to conservative Wall Street investments, from CDs to traditional savings accounts.

-- Roth funds are excellent estate planning vehicles, allowing the entire portfolio to pass on tax-free to heirs.

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