New to IRAs? Get a quick rundown of IRA contributions—how much and how to make them—and, most importantly, how to make the most of them. Learn about Self-Directed IRA requirements and contribution limits. How Much Can You Contribute to a Self-Directed IRA? For 2020, the maximum contribution to a Self-Directed IRA—in the form of a…
Self-Directed IRA Contribution Rules and TipsDetailsYou might not realize it, but you’re surrounded by precious metals—in the car, at the dentist, even if you were to go to outer space. Learn about two of the lesser-recognized precious metals—platinum and palladium—and the many ways they’re used. What Are Platinum and Palladium? One of the rarest metals, platinum—which is silver-white in color—was…
What Are Platinum and Palladium Used for?DetailsWell-known throughout history as symbols of wealth, and commonly recommended by experts as hedges against volatility, precious metals are a key asset in many people’s portfolios. For many people, that typically means gold or silver. After a recent record-breaking run, gold and silver have been in the spotlight of a lot of news coverage. However,…
The Assets You Could Be OverlookingDetailsSelf-Directed IRAs got their start in the 1970s. Still, it wasn’t until 1997 that the IRS lifted restrictions on diversification and allowed plans to include specific types of precious metal coins and bullion. How did retirement savers come to enjoy the full freedoms and benefits of today’s Self-Directed IRA? Take a walk through history to…
The History of the Self-Directed IRADetailsIn June 2020, the IRS announced an important change for those in retirement or nearing retirement. The agency said that anyone who took a required minimum distribution (RMD) from certain retirement accounts could roll over those funds back into a retirement account. A key wrinkle to this change: The IRS imposed an August 31, 2020,…
Reminder: August 31 Is the Deadline to Return Retirement Plan DistributionsDetailsNew jobless claims have consistently remained high since March when lockdowns began across the United States. In the time since, those numbers have been decreasing, but while progress has been made, there are still signs of trouble on the horizon. Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan recently upped his year-end unemployment projections. On Monday, August 3,…
Sluggish Labor Recovery Hits Another SnagDetailsWhen you’re planning for your golden years, there’s one word you want to associate with your future—safe. Which is why you might be wondering, “Are gold IRAs safe?” The term “safe” means something is shielded, sheltered, or guarded. Here, we explain why gold IRAs can be safe from setup, storage, and hedge standpoints. The Security…
Are Gold IRAs Safe?DetailsImagine if you owned stocks in only the tech sector—or shares of just a pharmaceutical company. If something terrible happened in one of those sectors, your portfolio probably wouldn’t fare very well. That’s why you typically own different types of stocks in various sectors. Ever considered protecting your precious metals portfolio using the same concept?…
Hedge Your Hedges: A Beginner’s Guide to Diversifying Within Precious MetalsDetailsGold has been in the spotlight lately. It makes sense—last week gold broke its previous all-time high record and then kept going. This action followed months of positive momentum for the precious metal, and some experts, such as analysts at Goldman Sachs and Bank of America, see it rising even higher. While this is certainly…
Diversifying Your MetalsDetailsTo hold physical gold and silver in a Self-Directed IRA, you are required by the IRS to open an account with an approved custodian and have the custodian purchase precious metals on your behalf. But there are so many custodians to choose from. And what’s all this you hear about promoters and administrators? Learn how…
Tips for Selecting a Self-Directed IRA CustodianDetailsWe’ve explored the relationship between gold and oil and gold and interest rates. But how about gold and inflation? In the current economic environment, understanding how the two are tied together is critical. How Are Inflation and Gold Related? It might seem logical that when inflation goes up, the price of gold would automatically go…
What Is the Relationship Between Inflation and Gold?DetailsAre you stuck in the same old rut of adding stocks and bonds to your retirement portfolio? It might be time to learn about another asset category—alternative assets. We explain what they are, how they’re different from traditional assets, and how you can work them into your retirement portfolio for greater diversification. What Are Alternative…
What Are Alternative Assets?Details
