Which of the following is a way to receive free money to deposit into a tax-sheltered retirement plan?

Receiving free money to deposit into a tax-sheltered retirement plan is often associated with employer-sponsored retirement plans, and taking advantage of your employer's "match" is a prime example of this. Many employers offer a matching contribution to employees who participate in their 401(k) or similar plans, effectively providing additional funds that contribute to your retirement savings. For instance, if an employer matches up to a certain percentage of your contributions, you can significantly enhance your retirement account balance without any additional cost to you.

Starting early to boost your retirement refers to the benefits of compound interest and building savings over time, but it does not directly provide "free money." Making early withdrawals from a tax-sheltered retirement plan is usually detrimental, leading to taxes and penalties, which again does not offer any financial benefit. Opening a Health Savings Account (HSA) is beneficial for healthcare expenses and offers tax advantages, but it does not contribute directly to a retirement plan and does not represent free money in the context of retirement contributions.

Therefore, taking advantage of your employer's match clearly stands out as the best method to receive additional funds at no extra cost, enhancing your tax-sheltered retirement savings effectively.