A Roth IRA is a type of individual retirement account that allows individuals to save for retirement with tax-free growth. Contributions to a Roth IRA are made with after-tax dollars, meaning you pay taxes on the money before you deposit it into the account. This allows for tax-free withdrawals in retirement, provided certain conditions are met. One of the key benefits of a Roth IRA is that there are no required minimum distributions during the account holder's lifetime, allowing the funds to grow for a longer period. Additionally, contributions can be withdrawn at any time without penalty, making it a flexible savings option.