There are several different ways you can save for retirement and plan for the future. You certainly can save money under your mattress, but few people actually do that. The reason is, of course, that your money can grow if you invest it in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and CDs. Even keeping your money in a savings account or a mutual fund will help your money grow at a slow rate. Many people will put their money in a Roth IRA today to enjoy the tax advantages associated with this type of account as well as the opportunity to grow their money through a range of investment options. So what steps can you take to maximize Roth IRA returns?Growth Through the Stock MarketOne way you can maximize Roth IRA returns is to invest in the Stock Market with your IRA funds. Many Roth IRA providers allow account holders to invest their IRA funds in individual stocks, mutual funds or both. While most IRA providers do limit your options and do not allow you to invest in all funds or stocks available, most offer a great selection of options. When you invest in stocks, you have the option to reinvest dividends for additional growth. Mutual funds and stocks typically offer a higher overall rate of return for IRA investments than other options offer, but there is a risk that your account value may decrease as well.Growth Through InterestMost investors who want to maximize their Roth IRA returns will invest heavily in stocks and mutual funds. These do typically outperform interest-bearing options like money market accounts and CDs. However, while growth through interest-bearing options is slower, it also generally is guaranteed. There is no risk with most of these options that value will be lost. To fully maximize the returns on your own account, consider the benefits of combining growth through stock market-based investments with growth through interest-bearing options. The allocation of your fund may vary from another investor's allocation. However, in general, it is a smart idea to diversify assets and invest in a wide range of investments rather than focus on investing in only one type of investment.