As a financial planner, I wouldn't have suggested B shares.  If your advisor didn't explain the difference to you I think you were under served.  Having the B shares does cost more in annual expenses than the A share class and buying B shares doesn't entitle you to a breakpoint discount as you approach the $25,000 and beyond mark like the A share class would.  Now granted you could buy A shares at any time and aggregate the B share value to reach a breakpoint discount.  I believe that each contribution you make in the B share class will have it's own back end load schedule.  Another poster said that the rep has to be paid for their advice, totally true, but they would have been paid from an A  and C share purchase as well.

I advise my clients to buy the A shares, pay the load up front and have lower expenses always.  And have the flexibility to exchange to another fund family without being dinged in back end fees.  I love American Funds, but clients may at some point decide they want to try another family. Hasn't happened to me yet, but you do want to have flexibility in your future planning.

Lastly, being an attorney and single it's quite possible that you will max out on income eligibility for the Roth.  So be sure to keep an eye on the annual income limits.  It's quite a bit of work to back out contributions, as there's a calculation done on the over contribution as well as on the income earned on the over contribution.

Have a look at the brochure, Portfolio for Every Investor.  It gives good information about the fund choices.  If you decide to make an exchange from one fund to another you won't be dinged on the B share if you stay in the same share class. 

Absolutely make your 2008 contribution. 

Take care.

Mel