Millions of workers have no employer retirement plan: freelancers, gig workers, part-timers, and employees of small businesses are often on their own. That can feel like being locked out of retirement saving, but it is not. An individual retirement account, or IRA, is available to anyone with earned income, and a Roth IRA is one of the simplest and most flexible places to start.

A Roth IRA lets you contribute after-tax money, invest it, and withdraw it tax-free in retirement, provided you follow the rules. Opening one takes about fifteen minutes, and automating contributions turns it into a habit you never have to think about.