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- About
- Self-Directed IRA
- Sponsors Hub
- Assets
- Information Center
- Client Resources & Forms
- Contact Us
close
Opening Your IRA
General Questions
Funding Your IRA
Investing Your IRA
Contributions
Distributions
Roth Conversions
Fees
Tax Forms
Ongoing Account Maintenance
Self Directed IRAs offer:
Portfolio Diversification– Self Directed IRAs allow investors to diversify their retirement portfolios into alternative assets which are generally unavailable to them through a bank or brokerage house. Investors can take a more balanced approach by diversifying their IRAs into alternatives in addition to market-based products.
Tax advantaged growth- Self Directed IRAs enjoy the same tax benefits of standard IRAs. Self Directed IRAs combine the tax savings inherent in retirement accounts along with the tremendous growth potential of alternatives.
Freedom from market fluctuations– Investors seeking relief from precipitous market fluctuations related to Wall Street investments benefit from Self Directed IRAs which can invest in assets with steady and reliable income (such as rental real estate, promissory notes, tax liens, etc.).
Capital source-Self-Directed IRAs are the solution for individuals seeking an additional source of capital for desired investments. Many investors would like to enter the alternative market however their personal funds are tied up. A Self Directed IRA allow these investors to access such investments with retirement funds.
The law does not permit IRA funds to be invested in life insurance or collectibles.
If you invest your IRA in collectibles, the amount invested is considered distributed in the year invested and you may have to pay a 10% additional tax on early distributions.
Here are some examples of collectibles:
No.
Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs can be self-directed as well.
Inherited IRAs (whether Traditional or Roth) can also be self-directed.
Madison Trust Company (“Madison”) is a passive Self Directed IRA custodian and does not provide investment advice or sell any investment products. Clients are advised to perform their own due diligence when choosing an investment opportunity. Clients are also advised to consult with a financial professional to ensure that the investment is suitable for their financial situation.
Here at Madison we believe that accountholders should perform vigilant due diligence prior to placing investments with their IRA. Many retirees rely on their retirement accounts as their sole source of income in their golden years. It is important to ensure that their accounts are protected from fraudulent ventures and dishonest people. It is recommended that investors perform due diligence on their own, along with consulting financial professionals to ensure that the prospective investment is legitimate and a good fit for their personal situation.
Investors can avail themselves of fraud protection tips online, such as the following article:
US Securities and Exchange Commission: https://www.investor.gov/protect-your-investments/fraud/how-avoid-fraud/what-you-can-do-avoid-investment-fraud.
A Self Directed IRA allows individuals to invest their retirement money in alternative assets which are generally not available to them in a standard IRA.
Self Directed IRAs offer asset choices that go way beyond market-based products. They give people the power to put their money in investments which make sense to them personally.
Different people have different strengths and expertise and it makes sense that their investments should reflect those differences. Whether one is interested in real estate, a specific business, or even something speculative like Bitcoin, a Self Directed IRA is the tool that allows them to take advantage of these opportunities.
The IRS requires that all IRAs be held by a qualified third party such as a bank, trust company or other authorized custodian.
Accountholders can establish an IRA at a local bank or at a brokerage house, however they will then be limited to market-based products. Banks and brokerage houses generally do not custody alternative investments in IRAs due to the administrative burden involved.
Self Directed IRA custodians are the solution for people interested in investing their IRA into non-traditional assets. Self Directed IRA custodians specialize in custodying alternative assets and performing the labor-intensive duties associated with such transactions.
Some of a Self Directed IRA custodian’s responsibilities include:
IRAs can invest in virtually any asset class other than life insurance and collectibles. Some of the most popular Self Directed investments are:
Yes, Self Directed IRA custodians accept rollovers from Qualified Plans such as 401(k)s or 403(b)s.
Please contact your current Plan Administrator to verify whether your account is available to be rolled into an IRA.
The majority of Plan Administrators allow accounts to be rolled over upon separation of service or retirement age (whichever is sooner).