It has $821 billion in assets, 12.16% returns over the last 10 years and an expense ratio of 0.04%. The original index fund soldiers on today as the Vanguard 500 Index Fund. Vanguard invented the index fund in the 1970s, and this type of investment vehicle epitomizes the company’s focus on diversification, long-term growth and rock-bottom fees. The company is one of the most well-known and well-respected brokerage firms in the U.S., offering a top-ranked investing experience. You contribute money on which you’ve already paid taxes, your investments grow tax free and you get tax-free withdrawals in retirement-what’s not to love?Ī Vanguard Roth IRA is among the best ways to make use of this superior type of individual retirement account. A Roth IRA is one of the most useful tax-advantaged retirement accounts around.