The Social Security Administration says the average annual retirement income for folks 65 and older is just under $20,500. If you’ve not planned for retirement, will you be able to live on that amount when you retire?

The simple answer is “No.” And it’s proven by the fact that approximately 6.1 million people age 65 or older are currently working, compared to 3.8 million a decade ago. That’s an increase of more than 60%!

There is a solution: Self-directed investing. It begins with taking greater control of your retirement by opening or rolling over your current IRA or 401(k) into a Self-Directed IRA or Self-Directed 401(k). Doing so can help you afford to retire – on your own terms – by enabling you to diversify your portfolio in a variety of IRA-permitted investments.

These investments include real estate, tax liens, foreclosures, structured settlements (like lottery winnings, insurance settlements or casino jackpot payouts) and promissory notes (where your IRA loans money and is paid back principal and interest). Plus, investors are finding new areas to invest in, every day. They include livestock, renewable energy, grain cars, medical equipment, timber and more.

There are many reasons why people can’t afford to retire, from not being able to save to losing money in the stock market or other risky investments. Be sure to improve your chances of retiring comfortably by taking as much control of your retirement savings as possible with a Self-Directed IRA.

Discover How You Can Retire When You Want

Take advantage of our Free IRA Wealth Checkup (normally $125) or speak with an Equity Trust Retirement Specialist at 1-888-382-4727. You’ll gain a clearer picture of how to take charge of your financial future, where to get help and what you can do right now to secure your retirement.

March 10th, 2010 | No Comments »

Even with the wheels seemingly back on a wobbly stock market, are you ready to fully commit your retirement savings to Wall Street? If your answer is in the neighborhood of, “Well, no, not really.” it may be time to consider the advantages of opening or rolling over a portion of your retirement savings to a Self-Directed IRA.

A Self-Directed IRA gives you the freedom to invest in something you already have an interest in or know about, in ways that make more common sense and that may give you more control. Imagine lowering your exposure to the fray between the bulls and bears on Wall Street for your retirement savings. Equity Trust Company clients are succeeding with their Self-Directed IRAs every day. Take a look at a few self-directed IRA success stories.

What You Can (or Cannot) Invest in with a Self-Directed IRA

Although there’s a short list of IRS-prohibited transactions, a Self-Directed IRA can invest in a full range of both commonplace and alternative options.

Among the more common self-directed IRA investments are:

• Various avenues in real estate including residential, commercial, undeveloped land and tax liens/foreclosures
• Structured settlements (like lottery winnings, insurance settlements or casino jackpot payouts)
• Promissory notes (where your IRA loans money and is paid back principal and interest)

And the list of alternative investment options keeps growing as investors find areas where they have expertise. These include:

• Timber
• Livestock
• Renewable energy
• Grain cars
• Medical equipment

Discover More with Free IRA Wealth Checkup (Normally $125)

Combining investment areas that you know and understand with the advantages of a Traditional or Roth  Self-Directed IRA can be an amazingly lucrative investment strategy. Think of it as a do-it-yourself path to a better retirement.

Want to know more? Take advantage of our Free IRA Wealth Checkup (normally $125) or speak with an Equity Trust Retirement Specialist at 1-888-382-4727.

March 5th, 2010 | No Comments »

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in January 2010, employers took 1,761 mass layoff actions (50 or more people) resulting in 182,261 individuals losing their jobs. And in the fourth quarter of 2009, there were more than 321,500 separations.

If you or someone you know is a part of this growing group of individuals, are you concerned about what to do with your 401(k) retirement savings? Your choices include cashing in (and dealing with significant tax penalties and consequences if you’re not 59 ½), leaving your money where it is, rolling it over into a bank/investment firm IRA, or selecting a Traditional or Roth Self-Directed IRA or a Self-Directed  401(k) option.

Self-Directed IRA Offers Control and Diversification

Going the self-directed route enables you to further diversify retirement savings by investing in more than stocks, bonds and mutual funds. A self-directed IRA lets you invest in something you may already know about , something you have a passion for – like real estate, tax liens, promissory notes and even livestock.

Beyond the advantages of added diversification and investing in what you know, a Self-Directed IRA provides you with a truly active role in determining what your account invests in. In short, you gain more control.

If you’re among the 500,000 or so who’ve recently been cut loose, control is something you wish you had more of. A Self-Directed IRA is a great place to start. Contact an Equity Trust Retirement Specialist to learn more at 1-888-382-4727.

March 3rd, 2010 | No Comments »

January, February and March. They’re the tough months following the fun of the holidays. And they often come with an endless stream of winter weather delights, too. Spring can’t get here fast enough for most of us.

But as a Self-Directed IRA investor, you may consider the first quarter a favorite time of year since you can use the trio of months, plus the first 15 days in April, to contribute twice to retirement savings while staying within IRS contribution limits. That’s right, from now until April 15, 2010, you can make what is essentially a double contribution to your Traditional or Roth IRA – up to $5,000 for 2009 and another $5,000 for 2010 for a total contribution of $10,000. And, if you’re age 50 or older you can contribute a “catch up” amount of $1,000 each year for a total contribution of $12,000. Now that’s a warm, spring-like feeling.

Perhaps best of all, this special time of year works for more than just Traditional and Roth IRAs. The same deadline applies to the Health Savings Account (HSA) and Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA). Small business plans such as the SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA and 401(k) have limits that can extend as far as October 2010.

Beyond the satisfaction of fattening your retirement account by contributing twice before April 15, 2010, you gain two distinct advantages:

• A welcome tax deduction for 2009 (if you qualify)
• More time for your 2010 contribution to grow and be protected from taxes

Remember, the longer you continue contributing to your IRA, the greater the immediate savings on your income tax. Even if you’re not in the highest tax brackets, your savings can be impressive over a relatively short period of time. For instance, putting money into your account on January 1 of each year (compounding an extra 15 ½ months) instead of April 15 of the following year, could be worth more than $63,000 to you over the life of your IRA, if earning just 10%.

Make 2010 a great year by contributing to your Self-Directed IRA – twice. And to stay on track going forward, take advantage of our Free Wealth Assessment right now.

February 25th, 2010 | No Comments »

Join Equity Trust Company as we celebrate National Self-Directed IRA Education Week (March 8 – 12, 2010). Discover Self-Directed IRA investing advantages from our informational webinar series and benefit from practical tools that help you hit the ground running with your own Self-Directed IRA.

All webinars are hosted by Equity University Director of Education Edwin Kelly and feature a special appearance by Equity Trust Company CEO Jeff Desich. In the week-long series, you’ll learn what Self-Directed IRAs are, how to play by the rules, hear from successful Self-Directed IRA investors, and find out how you can become your own success story. Think of it as step-by-step guidance on investing beyond the market while reaping the many benefits of Self-Directed IRAs: tax-free profits, large tax deductions, asset protection and estate-planning advantages.

Plus, you’ll have instant access to helpful tools that help you take greater control of your retirement savings. For example, you’ll receive a free Guide to Self-Directed IRA Investing. And get all the start-up information you need to know with Self-Directed IRA 101, an online tutorial.

Visit the Equity Trust Company National Self-Directed IRA Education Week site right now to enroll in webinars, access tools and begin building a brighter financial future with your very own Self-Directed IRA.

February 23rd, 2010 | No Comments »

Headlines in recent days have emphasized the inherent volatility of traditional investment markets (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.) The ups and downs of the market are enough to give even experienced investors the shakes.

Luckily, there is an alternative. If you’re tired of riding the investment roller coaster, it may be time for a change.

To help you make the transition from plain vanilla investing to the wide world of self-directed IRA investing, Equity University will be hosting a special webinar on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 8 p.m. Eastern entitled Self-Directed IRA Basics: Everything You Need to Know from A to Z.

As part of his presentation, Equity University Director of Education Edwin Kelly will provide answers to the most common self-directed IRA questions, such as:

• What can I invest my self-directed IRA in?
• Is this really legal?
• Which IRA account is right for me?

If you’ve ever thought about taking control of your future with a self-directed IRA, now is the perfect time to get all the answers and get started on your path to financial freedom.

Space is limited on the call, so be sure to sign up for Self-Directed IRA Basics: Everything You Need to Know from A to Z today!

January 22nd, 2010 | No Comments »

Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just beginning to explore the world of self-directed IRAs, when it comes to the IRS, everyone is on even ground. The same rules apply to every self-directed account and every investment.

Luckily, the basic IRA rules and regulations are relatively easy to follow.

• No Self-Dealing – The IRS is primarily interested in ensuring that your retirement account is used for exactly that – retirement. Therefore, your IRA cannot be used for any personal benefit, either directly or indirectly. For example, you cannot use your self-directed IRA to purchase a vacation home that you or your family members will personally use.
• Certain Investments Prohibited – There are very few investments that the IRS strictly forbids when it comes to your IRA. And in this way, most investments, as long as they are not on the short list, are allowed within a self-directed IRA. Among the explicitly forbidden investments are collectibles (coins, stamps, art, antiques, etc.), stock in S-Corporations and General Partnerships and life insurance policies.
• Don’t Do Business with Family – Just as there is a short list of investments that are prohibited, there is also a short list of individuals that your IRA cannot do business with. This means you can’t buy or sell an investment from them, nor can they receive any benefit from your IRA investment. The individuals on this list are your spouse, ancestors (parents and grandparents), lineal descendants (children and grandchildren) and any spouse of a lineal descendant.

As a general rule, if you follow these guidelines and the general intent associated with the guidelines, you are probably on pretty safe ground. Seeing as this is your retirement we’re talking about, though, it never hurts to be extra safe.

Equity Trust clients do have access to our highly trained First Class Service to get their questions regarding IRS regulations answered. As a passive custodian, we can’t provide legal or tax advice, so when the questions fall into that arena, we will suggest that you speak with a trusted legal or tax professional.

If you’ve got some ideas that you think might help you take control of your financial future, feel free to call one of our Retirement Plan Specialists at 1-888-382-4727.

January 12th, 2010 | No Comments »

Now that 2010 is actually upon us, it’s important to remember that we are currently in the “sweet spot” for most IRA contributions.

If you haven’t already made your 2009 contribution, you have until at least April 15, 2010 (later for some plans) to submit your deposit for last year.

“So, what’s the big deal,” you ask?

This means that from now until April 15, 2010 you are allowed to make what is essentially a double contribution to your IRA. If you are looking for a way to jump-start your self-directed IRA with a large infusion of capital, now is the perfect time.

A Traditional or Roth IRA currently carries a limit of $5,000 ($6,000 if you are over age 50) in contributions per year. But for these few months, an individual who has not made a contribution for 2009 can make a $10,000 (if you are over age 50) contribution to a Traditional or Roth IRA.

And this doesn’t apply to just the Traditional or Roth IRAs. The same deadline applies to the Health Savings Account (HSA) and Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA). Small business plans such as the SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA and 401(k) have limits that can extend as far as October 2010.

By combining a few of these different plans, a family could easily contribute over $100,000 to their self-directed IRA accounts in a very short period.

You can find out how much you are eligible to contribute by contacting one of our Retirement Plan Specialists at 1-888-382-4727 x403

January 4th, 2010 | No Comments »

A recent headline from the Associated Press made it clear that the average American isn’t alone in their battle with falling wages and business cutbacks.

It would seem that even the CEO of Walt Disney, Inc., Robert Iger, is not safe from the current economic crisis. During 2009, his compensation was cut by a whopping 58% to a paltry $21.6 million.

So while Mr. Iger probably isn’t bouncing any checks because of the pay cut, not all Americans are so lucky.

In a time when salaries are being cut and benefits eliminated, how are you working to ensure your own financial future? Are you still relying on someone else to safeguard your retirement?

Take Back Control

It’s no wonder that the self-directed IRA industry is growing. Investors all over the nation are realizing that they have to start taking control of their financial future and can no longer count on Wall Street to see them safely into retirement.

Self-directed IRAs provide a vehicle for you to use your knowledge and expertise to turn your passion in to a nest egg you can count on. You don’t have to be limited by the traditional choices from the bank or your broker.

Whether your niche lies in real estate, oil and gas, private equities or even livestock, a self-directed IRA puts you in control of your own future. The list of allowable investments in a self-directed IRA is only limited by your imagination and a few simple rules from the IRS.

And with the current condition of the markets, it is the perfect time for rebuilding your portfolio with assets you know and understand.

Be sure to take advantage of the ever-growing online resources such as free reports, investing articles and webinars at Equity University to help you create a retirement road map that will lead to success.

December 30th, 2009 | No Comments »

Equity Trust Company has long had a tradition of sharing our success with the surrounding community. During the year Equity Trust hosts blood drives, raises money for cancer research in the Relay for Life and collects food during the holiday season.

While our central mission is to help our clients create tax-free wealth through education , innovation and a commitment to understanding their individual needs, we are continually looking for ways to give back some of the success we have had for so many years.

This year, the Equity Trust family exceeded all expectations and set a new record for giving during our annual food drive. The total donation nearly doubled compared to last year’s drive.

You can read all about the results of this year’s food drive and see photos from the event on our Facebook page.

December 17th, 2009 | No Comments »