Resources for Individual Investors

Investor Insights Blog

Visit our blog for the latest self-directed investing news and educational resources.

As leading custodian of self-directed IRAs and other accounts, Equity Trust enables individual investors to diversify portfolios through alternative assets and create future wealth by investing in assets they know best.

Our blog features the latest news and educational resources regarding alternative asset investing in tax-advantaged self-directed IRAs and related topics.

What do Equity Trust Clients Say?

Due diligence is essential. We understand you want to consider all available information before making an important decision such as choosing a self-directed IRA custodian. We can provide countless reasons why Equity Trust Company is the best custodian for your self-directed account, but don’t just take our word for it; here are Equity Trust Company reviews from actual clients.

Client Case Studies & Success Stories

Dozens of Client Case Study Webinars & Whitepapers present active self-directed IRA investors detailing their current successes with a variety of asset types.

Just a Few Examples of Case Study Webinar Replays:

1. 2018 Self-Directed Investor of the Year Webinar: Learn how one self-directed investor in North Carolina was able to earn an average return on investment of approximately 40 percent in just 16 months with their first 2 investments by avoiding five challenges, or success killers, of self-directed real estate investing.
2. 2017 Self-Directed Investor of the Year Webinar: $130,000 Profit Between 5 Accounts on 2 Real Estate Investments: Hear how one real estate investor in Tennessee netted approximately $130,000 on two real estate investments in this webinar from Equity Trust. Brian explains the series of investments that earned him Equity Trust’s 2017 Self-Directed Investor of the Year Award.
3. Discover the Tax-Advantaged Wealth-Building Power of Self-Directed IRAs from Case Studies: Hear client stories from our 2018 Wealth Building Summit in this webinar and discover more about the wealth-building power of self-directed IRAs.

Video Resource Center

View our videos to quickly learn about the benefits of self-directed IRAs, and more about investing in Real Estate, Private Lending, and Private Entities with an IRA.

Forms to Manage Your Account

Forms to direct an investment or manage your account can be accessed through the button below. Or skip the form… As myEQUITY.com provides a faster, easier way to invest and manage your account.

Log into myEQUITY to use online wizards to guide you through the process for submitting transactions (such as Bill Pay and Distributions). Go to the Transaction Launcher within myEQUITY to upload completed forms and submit your request.

If you don’t yet have a myEQUITY login, you can still pay an invoice online with our one-time payment e-check/ACH or credit card payment options. If you need assistance with any form, our Client Service Team is available to help.

Check Before You Invest: Fraud & Scam Prevention

Learn how to identify potential scams and fraudulent investments, perform due diligence on opportunities and report them.

Investor fraud is a problem for all Americans and the greatest tool for preventing fraud is education and knowledge.

“An informed and skeptical investor is the best defense against fraud,”
— Mary L. Schapiro, 29th Chairman of the SEC

Equity Trust, in conjunction with the Retirement Industry Trust Association (RITA), has compiled governmental and industry resources to help you, the self-directed investor, in making your investment decisions.

As with any investment, a risk of being victimized by fraud and scams is a possibility. Find out what you can do to protect yourself.

(Please Note: Outside of FDIC insured investment products, all investments carry risk including loss of principal. No governmental agency or IRA custodian approves or guarantees investments.)

Additional Resources

• IRS Contribution Limits and Deadlines
• IRS Publications
• Relevant Legislation and Court Rulings

Retirement Calculators

RMD and 401(k) Contribution Calculators

Available from the SEC Investor.gov website:

• Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Calculator

Available from AARP.org:

• Individual 401(k) Contribution Calculator (2020)