Trust Deeds in a Self-Directed IRA 

In a trust deed loan, a self-directed IRA owner makes a private loan to their chosen borrower, with the loan generally secured by a real estate investment as collateral. The trust deed market isn’t just for individuals’ retirement accounts either. Pension funds and other savings vehicles utilize trust deeds to seek diversity within their portfolios to help hedge against the stock market, or other more traditional forms of investing. 

The main difference between straightforward secured mortgage notes and a trust deed loan is that the deed is physically handed over to a third party. The third-party is generally given instructions on what is to happen to the deed in the event of a default, or if the loan is paid off. These loans can be set to any length that the lender stipulates, but terms of 1-3 years are common. 


How it Works 

Income is generated into a self-directed IRA when invested in trust deeds. The loan provides a stream of tax-free, passive income that’s designed to secure future growth. The loaning process might seem confusing at first, but trust deed investing through a self-directed IRA is fairly simple: 

  • The borrower will execute a promissory note payable to a private real estate investor, and the note is backed by a deed of trust on the collateral. 
  • The borrower then will promise to pay back the amount loaned, plus interest, in monthly payments over a pre-set amount of months or years stipulated by the lender. 
  • Monthly payments from the borrower are made into the lenders’ self-directed IRA, resulting in a higher return. 

Why Work With Accuplan

Most IRA providers will not allow trust deeds to be held for retirement investment opportunities. Finding and working directly with a provider that permits an alternative investment like trust deeds and issues quick and easy transactions, professional administration and support is critical for success. Accuplan Benefits Services is the answer to trust deed investing within a self-directed IRA.

Schedule a free no-pressure consultation with a knowledgeable trust deed expert below to begin investing with the best self-directed IRA provider.


Why Self-Directed IRAs Are Ideal

Trust deeds in a self-directed IRA are widely considered excellent vehicles for investing. This is because there is no tax consequence to income generated within a self-directed IRA until the retirement age of the account holder is reached, or when distributions are taken. This is dependent on the IRA type, both Roth and Traditional self-directed accounts have their own pros and cons that all investors should take into consideration. 

Ordinarily, income generated by trust deed investments is taxed as income, but through a tax-advantaged retirement account, the account holder benefits from the tax status of their chosen IRA. 

Learn more about how self-directed IRAs work, qualifying for specific accounts, contribution limits, and more. 

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How to Get Started With Trust Deed Investing 

To get started, first open a self-directed account with Accuplan Benefits Services. 

Once the self-directed IRA has been funded, the lender must then find a borrower, both parties then agree on an interest rate and agree on collateral. As always with self-directed investing, due diligence is essential, so it’s up to the IRA account holder to have an attorney or a trust deed investment company put together all of the necessary documents with the escrow company. 

The self-directed account holder will then inform Accuplan where funds are to be wired in order to fund the loan in question. 

The importance cannot be overstated that all interest generated or payments made go back into the IRA since the self-directed IRA is the lender. It is up to the account holder to inform the borrower or escrow company that all funds are to be paid to their self-directed IRA. Otherwise, the account holder may cause an accidental distribution, resulting in taxes and penalties of up to 10% of the total amount in the IRA. 

Overall, investing in trust deeds through a self-directed IRA can be lucrative for the account holder. The average annual yield for the self-directed IRA holder on a trust deed investment is typically 2-3 percent higher than similar annual earned-interest assets.