Recent IRA Articles

You might not realize that Social Security is designed to replace just 40% of your income, and Social Security is expected to be fully depleted by the year 2035. Then benefits may drop because of funding shortfalls. Even so, about 22% of Americans have less than $5,000 earmarked for retirement savings. What does the current…

You may have heard that tying the knot can lead to a longer life span, but did you know it can impact retirement, too? Learn more about the ways marriage can affect retirement planning, savings, benefits, and more. 1. Pension Plans Most companies no longer offer defined-benefit pensions, reports USA Today, so you might consider…

Gold can be a powerful asset when held for an extended period in a retirement account like an IRA. Silver can, too—yes, physical silver. Learn which silver coins and bars are approved for IRA inclusion and how to get started with a Precious Metals IRA. What Types of Silver Can Be Included in an IRA?…

How has your IRA performed this year? Has its performance met your expectations? If your current retirement strategy doesn’t include precious metals, you may be missing out on an essential element of diversification. Learn how you can transfer a portion of your IRA to gold. Opening up Your IRA to Gold To put physical gold…

Precious Metals IRAs offer account holders an incredible amount of freedom. This freedom is one of the biggest draws for IRAs. You have control over the asset mix. Within each asset class, you can control how much is purchased and when. You can even purchase alternative assets like IRS-eligible precious metals, real estate, and private…

Saving money for retirement is always a good idea, but learn why right now is an especially good time to save in one particular way—with a Self-Directed IRA, which enables you to hold alternative assets like precious metals. 1. Get ahead of the next tax season. Chances are, you’ve already filed your taxes for this…

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 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…

In 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,…

When 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…

To hold physical gold and silver in a Precious Metals 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…

Are 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…