2. The “myRA” is simply allowing the general public to buy into the special “G” fund (for government bonds) that is part of the Federal civil service equivalent of a 401K. It is basically a floating rate government bond fund strucured so it doesn’t lose money (and pays better interest than a short T-bill, but less than a 10 year Treasury bond, but can never fall in value). It would be better to offer it through banks and mutual funds so people can switch to better paying investments when they have enough – though it definitely beats a money market funds. A Roth IRA is excellent for poor people since they currently are in a low bracket, but most poor people eventually end up in a higher bracket by the time they retire (contrary to Democratic dogma, low income people tend to move up in the course of their lives).