Explore different types of investment accounts available with Vanguard and learn how to choose the right type of account for your investing goals.
Choosing investment accounts

Points to know
- You need an account to hold your investments.
- Some accounts are meant for specific goals.
- General accounts can be used for anything.
Accounts for common goals
There are specific types of accounts for certain goals, some of which offer tax benefits. If you're saving for college or retirement, start by looking at these account types.
Retirement
If you're self-employed or own a business, there are specific types of retirement accounts just for you. For everyone else, a 401(k) or 403(b) plan (through your employer) or IRA (on your own) may be a good choice.
Find out more about small-business plans
Learn about saving for retirement
College
Start by considering a 529 savings plan or an UGMA/UTMA account. There are significant differences between the 2 account types.
Find out more about 529 college savings plans
Accounts for everyone
If you prefer a little more flexibility, you can open a general investing account. With this type of account, you can buy and sell whenever you want, but you pay taxes on your investment earnings.
Find out more about general investing accounts
If you have an existing trust that's designed to control what will be passed down to your heirs and minimize estate taxes, you can open an account in the name of the trust. We recommend you talk to your attorney or tax advisor about whether this would be appropriate in your situation.
What's next?
Once you've got the basics down, it's time to choose your investments.
Discover the plans and accounts Vanguard offers.