One of the main benefits of an IRA is that there are often more investing options. If you contribute to or still maintain your current or past employer’s retirement plan, you may end up with only a few options, typically chosen by the plan administrator. Additionally, you may be encouraged to be heavily invested in company stock or have a limited number of high-cost mutual funds to choose from. This is not the fault of the administrator, but it is a difficult task to satisfy the investment needs of a wide spectrum of employees with a limited number of options.

The fees with an IRA can often be lower than what is charged by your plan administrator. You can’t control how your investments perform but you can control how much you pay in fees, which has a direct impact on your returns.