Can an IRA Be Self-Directed?
Self-directed IRAs allow investors to invest in alternative assets such as private equity, limited partnerships, precious metals and tax liens – investments with numerous potential advantages as well as increased risks.
However, to avoid penalties related to an IRA investment account you must abide strictly by its rules. For example, living in property purchased with your IRA funds or providing services such as fixing toilets on those properties cannot be allowed without incurring severe repercussions and more complex recordkeeping fees and recordkeeping processes.
More Investment Options and Flexibility
As people in an increasingly abundant world, we value having options. From clothing closets full of options to an abundance of ice cream flavors at our favorite shop, it is nice to have choices when it comes to investing; but more investment options can also pose more risk.
Self-directed IRAs give investors the ability to diversify their portfolio by investing in assets like real estate, private placements, IRA LLCs, promissory notes and tax lien certificates. Just make sure that you understand how best to evaluate and manage these investments because violations of IRS rules such as prohibited transactions can incur large fees and penalties come tax season.
Or you could invest in professionally managed target date or asset allocation funds, which are popular among 401(k) plans. These mutual funds work to assist your retirement goals by gradually shifting investments toward safer options as retirement approaches – offering less direct control than self-directed IRAs but providing more reliable returns.
They Can Deal with High-Risk Investments
Self-directed IRAs may not be appropriate for everyone, but they offer you the chance to hold assets outside the typical retirement portfolio such as real estate, cryptocurrency and private debt (such as private placements, promissory notes or loans).
As with any investment, nontraditional SDIRAs may present some risk in your retirement portfolio, but with proper research they could yield great returns. Before proceeding with one of these investments, consult with an experienced investment adviser and/or tax professional first.
Remember, if you attempt to use an SDIRA for investments that violate IRS rules, your account will be voided and any tax benefits of having one will be lost. Furthermore, custodians of self-directed IRAs must submit annual fair market valuation reports of alternative assets directly to the IRS; unlike traditional IRAs which only need annual reporting. These reporting obligations typically fall on an internal compliance department of your custodian.
They Are More Complex
Although IRAs offer great investment options, it’s vitally important to research and verify information – particularly with self-directed IRAs which offer more creative investing than stocks and mutual funds. Furthermore, you need to be mindful of fees involved with these types of investments which could include transaction charges, account management fees or charges specific to assets within an IRA.
Remember, the IRS imposes stringent rules about what activities can and cannot occur within your retirement account. If you engage in any prohibited transactions or violate any other regulations, your entire account could become liable and subject to penalties and forfeitures.
As important, it is also vital to remember that while investing in alternative assets such as real estate, precious metals, or private placements may seem attractive at first, they often come with higher risk and can take longer to sell or liquidate, which could pose difficulties for retirees and near retirees who need income from their investments.
They Have Higher Fees
Self-directed Individual Retirement Accounts (SDIRAs) tend to charge higher fees than traditional brokerage accounts due to lack of financial advice provided from custodians and investors needing to perform their own due diligence themselves, not forgetting compliance with IRS retirement account rules including any prohibited transactions.
As long as you use a reliable SDIRA custodian and don’t hold prohibited assets like collectibles, life insurance policies or real estate you reside in yourself, the cost should not be prohibitive. Furthermore, SDIRAs can help diversify your portfolio with investments that don’t correlate to stock markets and could potentially produce superior returns.
If you want to customize your retirement savings based on your interests and knowledge, a self-directed IRA may be an ideal way to do it. Just make sure you conduct due diligence on any assets under consideration to avoid prohibited transactions and potentially unfavorable trades. Alternatively, working with either a human investment advisor or top robo-advisor (who’ll typically charge fees) might also help.
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