Both the SEP IRA and the Solo 401K are self-employed retirement plans. They can be established by legal entities (in this context, often S corporations) or they can be established by individuals that have self-employed income. That self-employment income generally must come through a sole proprietorship or through a limited liability company (LLC) that is […]
How a RMD Can Negatively Impact Your Retirement Accounts
If you saved well for your senior years by consistently funding an IRA or 401K, you’re probably quite appreciative of that money now that you’re actually retired and using it. But the last thing you want to do is give up a huge chunk of your savings for no good reason. And if you neglect […]
Understanding Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
Get a better understanding of what REITs are and how you can incorporate them into your trading or investing strategy. What are REITs? A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a security that trades like a stock on the major exchanges and owns—and in most cases operates—income-producing real estate or related assets. Many REITs are […]
Inflation Can and Will Deplete Your Self-Directed IRA Income – How to Fight it
Inflation is something most Americans don’t think about much, but it has a significant influence on all of our financial lives. Not only does inflation impact the prices of consumer goods; but the federal government also uses it as a benchmark in determining whether to increase contribution limits to qualified retirement plans or to raise […]
Using a Self-Directed IRA to Invest in a Private Company
The Internal Revenue Service puts few restrictions on what assets you can own in an individual retirement arrangement. You can’t use your self-directed IRA to buy life insurance, collectibles, jewelry, alcoholic beverages or some forms of precious metals. But there’s nothing in the law that says you can’t buy an interest in a closely held […]
The IRS Has Released IRA Contributions Limits for 2020
Each year, the IRS announces IRA contributions and their limits, Traditional IRA deduction income limits, and Roth IRA contribution income limits. Not only is there a maximum amount that Americans can contribute to their IRAs each year, but not everyone is eligible for both types of IRAs. The 2020 IRA Contribution Limit While there are […]
What is a SIMPLE IRA and Who’s Eligible to Open One?
The SIMPLE in SIMPLE IRA stands for “Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees.” This retirement savings plan is a type of traditional IRA that is geared towards self-proprietors and small business owners. Unlike SEP IRAs, where only the employer can make contributions, employees are allowed to contribute part of their pre-tax compensation to their SIMPLE […]
Contributing to a 401K and an IRA is Allowed, and Why You Should Do It
What we’re discussing in this article: Eligibility of who can contribute to a Roth IRA and a 401K – there are income limits for a Roth IRA, see if you qualify below Other combinations of IRA types like SEP IRAS or Traditional IRAs if it makes sense for you tax-wise An explanation of pretax and […]
The Importance of Diversification of Your IRA Portfolio
Whether you’re new to the investing game or a novice, there’s something that everyone needs to learn, and that’s diversification of assets. Diversification is fundamental, not only for your portfolio’s sake, but also for your future retirement’s sake. When you have a self-directed IRA, and the investment options available to you are practically limitless, that’s […]
What are Futures and How Can They be Utilized in Your IRA
Futures trading involves buying and selling contracts for agricultural commodities, foreign currency, metals and other items whose price fluctuates from day to day. Futures traders make money by betting that prices will go up or down and trading the right to buy or sell at a given price. While futures trading is not expressly […]