IRA Financial Blog

Insights, strategies, and expert answers on self-directed retirement, taxes, and alternative investing.

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Structured Settlements in a Self-Directed IRA

Structured settlements are a powerful and often overlooked alternative investment opportunity that may appeal to self-directed retirement investors.…

Top Venture Capital Investing Platforms to Consider 2026

Top Venture Capital Investing Platforms to Consider 2026

Venture capital investing has traditionally been reserved for institutional investors, family offices, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Today,…

Can a 403(b) be Converted to a Roth IRA?

Can a 403(b) Be Converted to Roth?

Can a 403(b) Be Converted to Roth? If you are asking whether a 403(b) can be converted to a Roth IRA, the short answer is yes. But how you…

Why a Self-Directed Roth IRA May Be Even More Powerful Than Section 1202 QSBS for Founder Shares

Why a Self-Directed Roth IRA May Be Even More Powerful Than Section 1202 QSBS for Founder Shares

For startup founders and early investors, Section 1202 QSBS, also known as Qualified Small Business Stock, has become one of the most discussed tax…

The Deficit Trap: Why Hard Assets and Self-Directed IRAs are the Ultimate Hedge Against a Weakening Dollar

The Deficit Trap: Why Hard Assets and Self-Directed IRAs are the Ultimate Hedge Against a Weakening Dollar

The fiscal health of the United States is reaching a turning point. A recent investigative report by The Wall Street Journal titled "The Federal…

Top 5 Self-Directed HSA Providers for 2026

Top 5 Self-Directed HSA Providers for 2026

A Health Savings Account is one of the most tax-advantaged vehicles available to Americans, offering a triple tax benefit: tax-deductible…

The Gold ETF Trap and the Self-Directed IRA

The Gold ETF Trap and the Self-Directed IRA

I have spent my career helping retirement investors who want protection against inflation, dollar devaluation, and systemic risks. Those concerns…

Can I Be an Officer of a Company My Self-Directed IRA Will Invest In?

Can I Be an Officer of a Company My Self-Directed IRA Will Invest In?

Investing retirement funds in private businesses can be a powerful strategy. But it also raises important questions about control, prohibited…

The 4% Rule for Retirement and How Self-Directed IRAs May Change the Equation

The 4% Rule for Retirement and How Self-Directed IRAs May Change the Equation

One of the most widely cited concepts in retirement planning is the 4% rule. For decades, financial advisors have used it as a straightforward…

How to Generate a 6.75% Return from Your 401(k) in 2026

How to Generate a 6.75% Return from Your 401(k) in 2026

As of March 2026, the prime interest rate stands at 6.75%. That is a very different environment from the ultra-low-interest rate era that defined…

Alternative Investment IRA Options for Diversification

If you are still holding only stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs inside your IRA, you are investing with one hand tied behind your back. Most…

Top Income Property Investing Platforms

Top Income Property Investing Platforms

Real estate is no longer just about buying a home or an office building. Thanks to online platforms, investors now have access to professionally…

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