General
6 articles
How should I title plan assets?
Every investment your plan makes must be titled in the name of the plan entity, not your personal name. The correct title depends on which plan structure you're using. Why titling matters Taking title in your own name is one of the most consequential ...
What is the golden rule of money flow?
The golden rule is simple: money flows through the right channel at every stage. The right channel depends on what the transaction is: an investment move, or a move between you and the plan itself. Mixing these up is the most common source of ...
Do I need custodian approval for investments?
No. With a checkbook IRA, whether structured as an LLC or a trust, you execute investments directly, without submitting requests to or seeking approval from the custodian. That is the defining advantage of checkbook control. Why the custodian isn't ...
What is an Accredited Investor?
An accredited investor is a person or entity that meets SEC requirements exhibiting sufficient financial sophistication and resources to participate in private investment offerings that carry fewer disclosure protections than publicly registered ...
Does my plan qualify as an accredited investor?
Yes, if you qualify as an accredited investor personally, your plan qualifies as well. The plan does not need to meet the income or net worth thresholds independently. How the look-through works by plan type The SEC's accredited investor definition ...
Can I still invest in publicly traded equities and funds?
Yes. Stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds are all permissible investments for a self-directed IRA LLC, IRA Trust, or Solo 401(k). Holding conventional securities alongside alternative assets in the same plan is entirely possible. Whether it's the ...