Why do people diversify their portfolios with precious metals?

Providing diversification and liquidity with no credit risk, gold can be especially attractive during periods of increased market volatility. Many investors choose to diversify retirement portfolios with alternative assets that are not correlated to the stock market.

Can I buy physical gold for my IRA?

You can buy gold coins and gold bullion bars, silver, palladium, and other precious metals that meet certain fineness requirements with your IRA.

What are the requirements for metals in a retirement account?

Metals must be produced by manufacturers accredited by NYMEX/COMEX, LME, BMA,
NYSE/LIFFE/CBOT, and ISO-9000, or a national mint to be held in a retirement account.

Can I keep my purchased metals at home?

Home storage is not permitted when your metals are held in an IRA. Your physical assets owned by an IRA must be held by a qualified custodian and stored in a secure, IRS-approved depository. Many depositories offer segregated or non-segregated storage. Segregated storage means that your personal metals are identified and stored under your name.

How do I find a precious metals investment for my self-directed IRA?

It’s easier than ever to locate a potential investment opportunity that suits you. Visit Investment District, our online marketplace, to browse investment options from precious metals, cryptocurrency, lending, private equity, and real estate asset providers.

What does the custodian do?

The IRS requires that any IRA be administered by a qualified custodian. Self-directed account custodians do not provide investment advice, but they do provide administrative and reporting services, and will purchase precious metals on your behalf per your direction through your IRA account.

How do I begin the IRA process?

The first step is to open and fund your Self-Directed IRA account. This can be completed through a traditional paper application, but many people choose to use our simple application process that can be completed entirely online. Equity Trust can initiate the transfer of funds if you’re rolling over from an existing account. The timing of this process is dictated by the custodian currently holding the funds.

What happens once my IRA has been funded?

After your account has been funded, you are ready to purchase precious metals within your IRA. After you choose a precious metals dealer or platform, instruct your custodian to purchase your desired coin or bullion products.

How easily can I liquidate my precious metals?

You can at any time choose to retrieve your precious metals from the depository storage facility as a full or partial distribution. As with any early IRA distribution, taking physical possession with a full or partial distribution of your precious metals may result in taxes and penalties unless rolled over to another qualified custodian.

You may also choose to sell your metals back to an authorized dealer and the cash received would return to your IRA.

What kind of precious metals can I invest in?

Generally, you may purchase coins minted by the U.S. government as legal tender, such as American Gold Eagles and American Silver Eagles (1 oz, ½ oz, ¼ oz and ? oz). It can also invest in certain platinum coins and certain gold, silver, palladium, and platinum bullion, per IRS Publication 590.

What is a Self-Directed IRA?

Self-Directed IRAs or SDIRAs are retirement accounts that allow account holders complete freedom to invest or save money how they see fit. Unlike some IRAs, which are restricted to debt-based instruments like stocks, bonds, or mutual funds through a single brokerage – such as Fidelity, Vanguard or Charles Schwab – Self-Directed IRAs put you in full and complete control of your money with assistance from a team of experts to take advantage of buying a diversity of all IRS approved assets, in addition to traditional assets.

What are the Benefits of a Self-Directed IRA?

Rolling over to a SDIRA is a completely tax-free process. Self-Directed IRAs allow for direct ownership of assets. According to FINRA, most brokerages that offer IRA, 401k and brokerage accounts hold certificates for client’s assets in their own account as the registered owner. Meaning, it is highly likely that you may not be the registered owner of the stocks, bonds and mutual funds at your brokerage. It’s called, “street name” registration, which could mean you are ‘out of luck’ in an illiquid market. A Self-Directed IRA can ensure that you have complete ownership of your assets.

Why Haven’t I Heard of Self-Directed IRAs?

Typically, financial institutions offer investments under the umbrella of an IRA to attract investors to the investments they offer. The more control that a financial institution exerts over their client’s accounts, the more that institution can leverage and profit for themselves. Therefore, accounts that give freedom of ownership back to the investor may take away from the profit margin of the traditional financial system. Simply put, this is the reason why many traditional brokerages do not offer alternative investments.

What Types of Investments are Allowed in Self-Directed IRAs?

Self-Directed IRAs offer a much broader range of investment options than a brokerage-only IRA. In addition to stocks, bonds and mutual funds, you have the freedom to invest in all IRS approved asset classes. This includes Real Estate, Land, FDIC Insured Bank Accounts, Property Rights and even physical gold and silver. There are only three types of investments that are not permitted within a self-directed IRA: life insurance contracts, collectables (with exceptions for coins and metals), and S corporations.

Why are Precious Metals the Safest Option?

Precious metals, mainly gold and silver, have been precious to every culture around the world since the dawn of civilization. It’s because gold and silver are an element on the periodic chart, meaning they are the same everywhere in the world and someone is always willing to accept them in trade or payment. That is to say, gold and silver are fully liquid. Precious metals can be insured up to a billion dollars inside your IRA. In fact, the Bank for International Settlements, which is the most important bank in the world and writes all the rules for money recognizes precious metals as, “Tier 1 Capital” and gives precious metals a “0% risk weight.” In other words, gold is the only asset that does not carry counter-party risk.

How do I open a Self-Directed IRA?

There are three basic steps to begin Self-Directing your IRA funds. Huntington Alternative Wealth is dedicated to offering you best in class service to help you achieve your goals. Our custodial and client relationships are a result of our values. We believe in family, legacy and integrity. Our experienced staff and IRA team are committed to making it a seamless transition for you. Contact us today for a consultation with a certified account specialist.