self directed ira | Self Directed 401k & IRA Solutions by Attorneys

Early Distributions Under Section 72(t)

April 24, 2012 By Michael Pundeff

ATM in Mission by Jenny Brown, Flickr CC

Many people do not realize that they can begin taking distributions from their IRAs and qualified employer plan accounts without being subject to the 10% penalty on early withdrawals, even if they are younger than 59 ½ . Several exceptions exist to the rule against taking early distributions, but perhaps the most complicated and least [...]

Filed Under: 401(k), Prohibited Transactions, self directed ira Tagged With: 401(k), 591/2, distribution, early distribution, early withdrawal, IRA, IRS, pension, prohibited transaction, retirement, retirement accounts, retirement plan, Rule 72t, self directed ira, withdrawal

ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING A SOLO 401(k) – PART I

August 24, 2011 By Michael Pundeff

A properly prepared and established Solo 401(k) Plan for your small business provides tremendous investment flexibility and countless advantages over more cumbersome retirement savings alternatives. In these times of uncertain markets, widely fluctuating investment values, and distrust of so-called financial professionals (who invariably are attempting to sell a product) one of the main advantages of [...]

Filed Under: 401(k), solo 401(k) Tagged With: 401(k), pension, retirement plan, rollover, self directed ira

Why A Self-Directed Ira?

May 2, 2010 By Michael Pundeff

A Self-Directed Individual Retirement Account (SDIRA) is an IRA that permits the account owner to make investment decisions and investments on behalf of the retirement plan. IRS regulations require that either a qualified trustee or custodian hold the IRA assets on behalf of the IRA owner. Generally the trustee/custodian will maintain the assets and all [...]

Filed Under: self directed ira Tagged With: self directed ira

2010 Roth IRA Conversions

December 4, 2009 By William Adams

If you’ve heard about the Roth conversion opportunities for 2010, plan now or you may miss something. Here are answers to some questions you may not find in more remedial discussions: 1) Upon converting a traditional IRA to a Roth, what is the amount taxed?

Filed Under: Roth Conversion, self directed ira Tagged With: 2010, roth conversion, roth ira, self directed ira

Don't Let a Self-Directed IRA Fee You to Death
This Fox article discusses the high transactional costs of self directed IRAs for active investors, and mentions self directed IRA-LLCs as an alternative. However, in states like California, LLCs come with a $800 annual minimum tax, which cannot be avoided simply by filing in another state. A better alternative for some is a self directed 401k. Don't be too quick to assume you don't qualify for a self directed 401k. Ask us.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/04/10/dont-let-self-directed-ira-fee-to-death/

These individual retirement accounts enable you to invest in real estate, but watch out for fees.
The “Jury” Decides on ROBS – Can you legally fund a business purchase or startup with a Self-Directed 401k?
Stylistically glib but substantively sincere, Mr. Nabers has some good ideas: His early & consistent stand against ROBS is commendable.

http://www.jeffnabers.com/2011/09/15/the-jury-decides-on-robs-can-you-legally-fund-a-business-purchase-or-startup-with-a-self-directed-401k/

Boy do I get a lot of blowback every time I share my findings about why the government has declared ROBS illegal! Why is there not a specific government
401K plans and IRAs eyed to alleviate Fiscal Cliff
A lot of unlikely fear mongering. The most I can foresee are some prospective limits on high income or net worth individual deductions / contributions.

http://www.examiner.com/article/401k-plans-and-ira-eyed-to-alleviate-fiscal-cliff

The ever expanding debate on averting financial consequences in early 2013 has refocused attention on concerns that the coveted 401 k plan and IRAs, long consid
Foreclosures Drawing Cash as 401K Returns Sag: Mortgages
This can work but must be structured correctly to avoid a prohibited transaction

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-05/foreclosures-drawing-cash-as-401k-returns-sag-mortgages.html

David and Michelle Haisley from Fort Wayne, Indiana, weren’t happy with the performance of their retirement funds, so they made another investment -- a foreclosed home for ,000.
The Risks of Tapping Your Retirement Fund for an Alternative Use
Despite some of the overly broad language in this article, the real lesson is that retirement funds should not be invested in highly speculative investments or to fund your own business. However, by all means consider "non-traditional" or "alternative" investments that are risk and return competitive with "traditional" investments. Such investments, e.g., real estate, are only non-traditional in retirement funds. That's because brokerage houses have long controlled the retirement fund industry. Real estate based investments, while not a traditional retirement fund investment, are certainly one of the most traditional and conservative investments because they are backed with something that doesn't evaporate: land and buildings.

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/10/30/the-risks-of-tapping-a-retirement-fund-for-an-alternative-use/

Individual retirement accounts and 401(k)'s are being used increasingly to invest in start-ups or commodities, but such maneuvers can leave users penniless in retirement.