Lux Investing

Apart from IRA, Roth IRA, what other federally insured investment options are available for investing?

Here by long term I mean time frame similar to IRA, Roth IRA or a little less and not investing directly in stocks. I have a 401(k) plan too.

Public Comments

1. If you are looking for a federally insured plan to invest in, you can also get into a money market, a certificate of deposit, or a high-yield savings account. Also, Savings Bonds and Treasury bills, but these are really long-term investments (10+ years) and the rate of return is questionable right now. By the way, it is important to distinguish between investment products (ie. CD's, Money Markets) and investment plans (ie. IRAs, 401(k)s). The distinction is that the plan is the governing account and the product is what actually makes you the money. So your plan is the 401(k) but the product might be mutual funds. Also, look out for Federal insurance on your investment products. For example, you could have an IRA that is not insured if you are investing in mutual funds and a 401(k) that is insured if you are investing in a Money Market. If insurance is your biggest worry, just ask your bank or investment house whether the product you are funding is insured.
2. IRA's and Roth IRA's are not federally insured unless you make you investments in a bank or saving and loan where the deposits are insured up to some amount.