What Is a Self-Directed IRA?

Tax-Advantaged Retirement and Savings Accounts

A self-directed account is technically the same tax-advantaged account you may find at any brokerage firm, custodian, or bank.

The difference with a self-directed IRA is that you can invest in a wide range of alternative assets, such as real estate, promissory notes, and private equity in addition to traditional investments, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

Benefits of Self-Directed IRAs

Tax-Advantaged Diversification and Control

You Are In Control
Self-directed IRAs allow you to invest in assets you know best. You direct your investment choices.

Diversified Portfolio
These powerful accounts combine the tax advantages of retirement accounts with nearly unlimited investment options to create a portfolio that truly works for you.

Tax Advantages
Investing with a tax-advantaged account, such as a self-directed Roth IRA or self-directed Traditional IRA, provides you with the potential opportunity for tax-free or tax-deferred profits.

Build Wealth for Future Generations
Certain self-directed accounts allow the beneficiaries to receive the account’s assets after the account owner’s passing with little to no tax.

Self-Directed IRA Investing Process

We Custody Traditional AND Alternative Asset Classes

When you open a self-directed retirement account, you will find your own investments and perform the necessary due diligence to determine if the investment is the right fit for you.

Equity Trust, as directed custodian, processes all account-related transactions and fund disbursements at your direction, custodies your account’s asset(s), maintains records and completes required IRS tax reporting.

Getting Started

Opening an Account is Easy

For most accounts, all you’ll need is a signed application and copy of your driver’s license.

To fund your account, you can make a contribution or move funds from an existing 401(k), IRA, or other retirement savings plan to your new account.

Self-Directed IRA Fees

Account Fee Schedule

Equity Trust has eliminated complicated fee structures common with other custodians.

New accounts are subject to a one-time set-up fee in addition to a standard annual maintenance fee based on your account value.

Real Estate IRAs

Real Estate Investing Within a Self-Directed IRA

Most investors believe that their only IRA investment options are bank CDs, the stock market, and mutual funds.

Few Americans realize that they have the option to self-direct their IRAs and other retirement plans into real estate—and that they can benefit from the tax advantages those plans provide.