Bill Gerhard: Hi! I'm Bill Gerhard, Director of Financial Services for AAA. In this video series I'm discussing how to save for retirement using IRAs.

Where do you go to establish an IRA? Let's look at finding a provider. The IRAs approves what they call Trustees or Custodians which are Organizations that are allowed to offer Individual Retirement Accounts. These Providers include Banks, Mutual Fund and Stock Brokerage Firms, Insurance Companies and Credit Unions. In partnership with the federally insured bank and AAA insurance, AAA now offers competitive IRA options. When considering an IRA Custodian, it pays to shop around to find the best services and benefits. First, find out if there is a minimum deposit, then determine if there is an annual maintenance fee or management fees. Look for provider that offers online banking options and quick access information through an easy-to-navigate website, and toll-free number.

If you're considering a bank or credit union, check out their safety and security rating at Bankrate.

com or regulatory sites. If you're considering investing through an affinity group such as AAA, check the rating of its banking partner. You may already have IRAs with more than one Custodian, keep in mind that you have the option to consolidate your assets in one place. This may make it easier for you to monitor your accounts, improve your service and even lower your fees.

AAA offers you information in this video series for educational purposes only. Carefully consider objectives, risks, expenses and tax implications before investing.

In our next video we'll focus on IRA investment allocations, how the money you save may be invested.

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