What is the difference between an Individual Retirement Account and the retirement account provided by an employer?

An IRA account at the credit union is an insured tax shelter. You can make deposits into it and have them insured up to $250,000. The rate of return on IRAs at the credit union are set by the credit union and you have a choice to use the IRA Share Savings, and/or an IRA Certificate of Deposit. Your employer would be the best source of information on what they offer.