What defines retirement accounts?

Retirement accounts are specifically designed to help individuals save and invest for retirement, which is the primary reason why option C is the correct answer. These accounts come with particular tax advantages and regulatory guidelines that encourage long-term savings, ensuring that individuals have sufficient funds when they retire. They often have features such as tax-deferred growth or tax-free withdrawals, depending on the type of account, making them distinct from general savings or investment accounts.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of retirement accounts. For instance, allowing unlimited withdrawals before retirement age does not align with the purpose of retirement savings, which are intended to be accessed primarily during retirement, promoting an incentive to save until then. Similarly, general-purpose savings accounts lack the structured rules and benefits associated with retirement accounts, which focus on tax efficiency and long-term growth. Lastly, while some investment accounts may impose penalties for early withdrawals, this characteristic is not exclusive to retirement accounts, and it does not define their primary objective of serving as a dedicated tool for retirement planning.