Self-Directed Basics
In short
Self-directed retirement plans give you the opportunity to take control of your tax-sheltered savings, pursue true diversification, and invest in the asset classes you know best like real estate, private lending, or venture capital. Start here to learn about different plan formats, what eligibility looks like, and the range of investments available.
Start here
What is a self-directed IRA?
A self-directed IRA is simply one where you make the investment choices rather than a manager. But that is only the first step toward investment freedom. With true self-direction, you also expand your investment choices beyond public securities to ...
Read articleHow checkbook control actually works
A retirement plan with checkbook control puts you in the driver's seat. You can execute contracts, wire funds, and deposit income yourself, directly from the plan's own bank account. This ability to act immediately, without waiting on custodial ...
Read articleThe case for alternative assets in retirement
Real diversification means owning things that do not move together. A portfolio spread across a hundred different stocks is still one bet: a bet on the stock market's next move. Alternative assets, real estate, private lending, ownership in a private ...
Read articleCommon myths about self-directed retirement accounts
IRA and 401(k) plans have always been able to invest in alternative assets like real estate and private placements, but don't be surprised if you hear otherwise. Self-Directed Plans has heard some surprising claims over the years from people who ...
Custodian, facilitator, and you: who does what
A self-directed plan involves several distinct parties, and understanding what each one does can help you get the most out of your plan. The custodian, the facilitator, and you as account holder each play a specific, non-overlapping role in getting a ...
Who actually uses a self-directed plan?
Self-directed plans are not exclusive to any single career, income level, or investing style. Investors at every stage of life and from a wide range of professions have found their fit in a self-directed structure, often after recognizing a version ...
Self-directed IRA eligibility: key things to know
Eligibility for a self-directed IRA comes down to one question, not a list of qualifications: do you have retirement funds that can move into it? Every IRA type can be self-directed, there is no income test, no net worth requirement, and no special ...
Solo 401(k) eligibility: key things to know
A Solo 401(k) is not simply an account you open. It is a qualified employer retirement plan, the same legal category as the 401(k) offered by a large corporation, just sponsored by an owner-only business instead of one with thousands of employees. ...
Family and spousal participation in self-directed plans
Family involvement in a self-directed plan comes down to three separate questions: who can participate in the plan, who can help run it, and what the plan can transact with. Each question has a different answer, and keeping them separate is the ...
Ready to continue your journey?
Whether you are ready to get started or have more to learn first, we have you covered.