[lefty]

I have a tax deferred annuity funded by payments from my employer. A few years ago they switched us from an IRA w/matching pretax payments to the current plan in which they give me additional income to place in the annuity if I wish (after it is taxed of course). My question(s) is:

1) Can I leave the annuity alone and use the after tax money to start a new Roth IRA instead? Am I restricted in opening another IRA by the existence and availability of the annuity?

2) SHOULD I do this? I hear varying reviews of tax deferred annuities. Is my money better off in a Roth IRA than the annuity?

Any and all comments appreciated.