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Here is a quick look at the IRAs now available, plus the RSAs:

• Traditional IRAs. If you're under age 70 1/2 and have earned income, you can contribute up to $3,000, plus $500 if you are age 50 or older.

Your contribution is deductible, unless you have a retirement plan at work and income above certain limits. When you start taking money out, you pay taxes on your earnings and any contributions that you took a deduction for.

• Roth IRAs. You can contribute at any age, if you have earned income and if your total income is under certain limits. The contribution limits are the same as with traditional IRAs.

You get no deductions now. But you pay no income tax at all when you start taking money out.

• RSAs. In the president's proposal, there are no age or income ceilings for those wishing to make contributions. The annual limit would be $5,000. There would be no deductions upfront, but all withdrawals would be tax-free.

For additional resources on the Internet, here are two good places to start.

To compare traditional and Roth IRAs:
flagship.vanguard.com/web/corpcontent/scatSvcsRetIRACompare.html

A primer on IRAs and retirement savings accounts:
jec.senate.gov/_files/IRAPrimer03102004.pdf

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