Your Game Day Guide to Self-Directed IRAs 

Written By: Daniel Gleich

Key Points 

• Game Day and Football are like retirement planning.
• Highlights of Game Day correspond to key events and players in retirement planning.
• Game Day party favorites align perfectly with alternative investment vehicles.
• Football plays and positions correspond to the roles the IRS, Tax Professionals, Financial Advisors and Madison Trust play in the retirement planning process.

With Game Day quickly approaching, you will want to make sure you are prepared so you can fully enjoy it. If you love football, the sport serves as a metaphor for understanding, appreciating, and approaching retirement. 

Let us break it down. 

The best parties are the ones you are prepared for. Making sure you have a great space to party, as well as having all the food prepared when the game is ready to start, is key. 

It is similar to retirement planning. Preparing before your retirement happens, and having all your means of income and savings lined up for when you are ready to retire, will leave you with the best possible retirement experience.

Good parties, like Game Day, have good food; your retirement is no different. 

Just like people like to have a variety of food at their party, diversification is key in retirement planning. The Game Day classics line up perfectly with the most popular ways people use their Self-Directed IRA. 

Wings – Real Estate investments are the “wings” of alternative investments. It is generally the most popular, most classic, and universally beloved. Real Estate, like wings, is always a solid choice in retirement planning. 

Jalapeño Poppers – Start-ups and Crowdfunding are fun and a little spicy like jalapeño poppers. Everyone enjoys eating them together, but not everyone appreciates the spice a new investment opportunity like a new company offers. Choose carefully, lest you are left running for water. 

Pigs in a Blanket – Precious Metals are tangible assets. Like pigs in a blanket, precious metals are timeless and hold their value over time. They are also very familiar and easily understood, with kids to adults understanding their appeal. 

Now you are ready to play the game and start saving for retirement.  

Highlights of Game Day can help you appreciate the role varied factors play in your efforts to have a bountiful retirement. 

Commercials –Many people love the commercials on Game Day. There are some people who only watch it for the commercials. It is important to remember what they really are, expensive distractions.  

Impulse buys and big purchases are the commercials in retirement planning. Yes, they can be fun and entertaining, but they may also prevent you from reaching your retirement goals.  

Keep your eye on the prize and remember that the game is the real reason you are here, and not for the glitter in between plays. 

Half-Time – This is a time to step back and evaluate. You may consider rebalancing your portfolio. This is a crucial moment to refocus and reenergize. 

MVP – That’s you! You can steer your financial inventing team, and your life to a successful retirement. At the end of the game the responsibility was on you, and you came through with flying colors. You have earned your trophy. 

Trophy – Enjoy the efforts of all your hard work. Have a happy retirement! 

Football plays represent the different types of investments you may make throughout your retirement planning. 

Some investments may be winners like touchdowns, while others may gain you some value, but not as much as you would hope, like field goals. Some may be strategic exits or done to avoid further losses, like punts. Some investments, despite your best efforts, may be fumbles. 

While some outcomes may be preferred and others avoided, do not get stuck on one play. It is all part of the large, long game you are playing. Keep looking forward to your next opportunity. 

Keep in mind that the IRS is watching on the sidelines as a referee, ensuring all your investments are appropriate.  

Before you get too nervous, remember you have coaches, like tax professionals and financial advisors, on the side helping and guiding you to play your best game.  

At Madison Trust, we like to see ourselves as the training staff. We enable you to play the “best retirement game” by providing vehicles like Self-Directed IRAs. Like Gatorade, and towels, when you make the play, Madison Trust’s support makes it easier to reach your goal. 

Game Time! 

Now you are ready to enjoy Game Day and your retirement journey!  

When you see the training staff working on the sidelines, think of Madison Trust and learn how a Self-Directed IRA can be a part of your retirement planning. Click here to get in touch with a Madison Trust Specialist.