There’s a way to protect yourself from the stock market shocks we’ve witnessed the last several years that have endangered individual’s retirement savings. With the volatility of the market, many individuals have seen 50%, 60% and even more of their retirement savings disappear , with no hope of rebounding . That fact makes it critical that you take charge of your investment portfolio, and begin earning returns that are not taxable until you remove the funds for retirement. The obvious choice is a self-directed IRA. Within that IRA, either a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA, you have a number of allowable non-traditional investment choices from gold to real estate. Self-directed IRAs have been part of the tax and investment code since 1972, yet many people are unaware of them. There are a number of reputable custodians that specialize in self-directed IRAs, among them Equity Trust Company and Entrust IRA. Service charges for these custodians vary , so be sure to have a clear idea of the amount of transactions you expect to be making before selecting your custodian company. You can make non-traditional investments without taking unreasonable risks, and still see excellent returns. You can also partner with other individuals , invest in a fund and spread out both the risk and returns. You can set up an LLC and have it make investments for your individual retirement account.

If history has taught us anything, it is that there is a cycle to industries that wise investors see and take advantage of. Currently real estate markets are depressed in many parts of the country, making this a buyer’s market, and positioning real estate as an opportunistic buy for a self-directed IRA portfolio . Look for a real estate investment secured by a note or deed with a fixed rate of return within your IRA, or a real estate fund that minimizes risk by spreading the investment over a group of properties with good LTV (loan-to-value) ratios. Select a custodial company that will accept these non-traditional investments.

Being in control of your IRA investments means greater opportunities to secure your individual retirement account. Reputable companies offering self-directed IRAs, including Equity Trust Company, provide additional educational services for their investors through webinars and  training. As you begin the process of choosing your custodian, research the options and familiarize yourself with the company’s website to learn more about the services and support available for you. Finding the right custodian will be an important part of managing your individual retirement account to maximize growth and surpass your retirement goals.