Can I Manage My Own IRA?
IRAs are an integral component of many investors’ retirement savings strategies, yet managing one yourself poses significant risks and considerations.
Many financial firms provide Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), including mutual fund companies, discount brokerages and robo-advisors. When selecting an IRA custodian, take into account trading fees, minimum requirements and quality online and mobile platforms as major considerations.
IRA Custodians
Self-directed custodians can give you access to investments not otherwise accessible in your retirement account, however they should not be seen as fiduciaries and cannot offer investment, financial or tax advice. Furthermore, they do not conduct due diligence on specific assets you may purchase from them.
Due to this, it’s vitally important that you hire a custodian with sufficient experience and knowledge. Also take note of their servicing times as well as responsiveness when answering queries or issues arise.
Self-directed IRA custodians must also be adept in understanding and upholding all applicable rules and regulations that affect your IRA, so as to be able to quickly process transactions while verifying asset prices and values listed on account statements – especially those regarding alternative investments that are difficult to value.
IRA Investments
Individual retirement accounts offer an abundance of investment choices. But you should remember that each type has unique rules, contribution limits, and tax benefits that you should consider when selecting an IRA that best matches your goals, life stage, and risk tolerance.
Investment options typically available to IRA investors include mutual funds and individual stocks. Online brokers provide a host of low-cost investment solutions, with commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs and mutual funds as well as full research offerings and free Morningstar reports.
Other investments that could potentially diversify and increase returns include real estate, private placements and LLCs within an IRA.
For investors who would rather leave investing to someone else, robo-advisors offer low-cost management of diversified IRA portfolios. Simply complete a questionnaire regarding your goals and risk tolerance before the advisor selects and manages your portfolio for a small annual fee.
IRA Taxes
There are various kinds of individual retirement accounts (IRAs) to choose from, including traditional and Roth. Other choices might include spousal IRAs for married couples or SEP or SIMPLE IRAs for small business owners; or rollover IRAs if funds need to be transferred from an employer-sponsored retirement plan.
Which type of IRA best meets your personal situation and goals depends on individual circumstances and goals, with tax implications depending on whether contributions were tax-deductible.
Taking a lump-sum distribution could incur substantial taxes and an early withdrawal penalty of 10% if taken before age 59 1/2. Our financial advisors can help devise a plan to mitigate these consequences by stretching withdrawals over multiple years and changing beneficiary accordingly. Changing beneficiary may help mitigate tax penalties; however, in order to do this, RMDs typically start at age 72; otherwise trustee-to-trustee transfers can help.
IRA Withdrawals
Individual Retirement Accounts, commonly known as IRAs, provide tax-advantaged savings accounts to individuals. Traditional and Roth IRA contributions have annual income limitations which limit deductions; SEP IRA contributions have lower limits but strict distribution rules.
Withdrawals made before age 59 1/2 may incur tax penalties; however, there may be exceptions such as withdrawing funds for first-time home purchase or medical costs that go unreimbursed.
Your IRA assets could affect Medicaid eligibility depending on state regulations and whether you receive required minimum distributions (RMDs). If you plan on using them for long-term expenses like nursing home care, work with a financial professional to protect them. A trust can also hold your IRA assets; though this requires careful planning and strict adherence to restrictions; an experienced advisor can guide you through this complex regulatory environment.
Categorised in: Blog