<prompt> Human: I currently have a Roth IRA with a small credit union. It seems like its returning .30. Would I be better off moving it to a big bank? Do IRAs have a set return, or does it depend on the market? Im getting vague answers when I call the banks about it.  <response>: The Roth IRA is not an investment. It is a tax treatment. In other words, a Roth IRA is a container that contains investments. Money, when moved into and out of the container, is treated a special way by the IRS in terms of taxes owed on it.However, a lot of different investments could be inside the container: a money market fund, straight cash, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, REITs, et cetera. It is your job to choose what exactly ought to be purchased using the money you have put inside your IRA. You can purchase a new investment any time, or sell any investment you have purchased at any time, without tax consequences; the proceeds remain inside your IRA until you take them out.Now, in terms of return, it depends on what investment you purchase, and how it performs. Fixed-income investments give a guaranteed return; stocks can go up or down, or pay dividends; et cetera. If this seems confusing you might speak to someone at your credit union about it. 