What is a self-directed retirement account?

There are many ways to grow your retirement savings, but when you move beyond the usual investment options, the rules can get a lot more complex. A self-directed retirement account can let you invest more freely while keeping everything compliant. 

With a self-directed retirement plan, you still have a tax-advantaged savings vehicle — but instead of limiting your investment options, you can choose from a range of investment alternatives. These can include real estate, private equity, and certain types of annuities. 

If you decide to purchase an annuity, you’ll need an insurance carrier willing to accept IRA ownership. You’ll also have to follow IRS guidelines for titling and funding. 

Read on to learn more about self-directed accounts and why they can be a strong fit for people who want their retirement portfolio to reflect deeper investment expertise.

What is a self-directed annuity?

A self-directed annuity is an annuity contract held within a self-directed IRA (SDIRA). This setup combines the guaranteed income of an annuity with the flexibility to choose alternative investments not typically available in standard retirement accounts.

With an SDIRA, you’re not limited to the traditional lineup of stocks and mutual funds. Instead, these accounts can hold other assets like real estate, private equity, and annuities. Even with those extra opportunities, you still need to follow self-directed IRA tax rules, including yearly contribution caps and age-based withdrawal requirements.

How does a self-directed annuity work?

A self-directed annuity operates as a tax-advantaged product held within an SDIRA. All contributions must come from the IRA, and any earnings typically remain inside the IRA until you start taking withdrawals in retirement. This keeps the earnings tax deferred and aligned with IRS rules. IRAs and qualified plans—such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s— are already tax-deferred. Therefore, a deferred annuity should only be used to fund an IRA or qualified plan to benefit from the annuity’s features other than tax deferral. These include lifetime income, death benefit options, and the ability to transfer among investment options without sales or withdrawal charges

There are two ways to buy a self-directed annuity:

1. Direct purchase within the SDIRA: With this option, you open an SDIRA with a qualified custodian and move funds into that account. You can then use the money in that account to buy an annuity from an insurance carrier that supports IRA ownership. 
2. Rollover from an existing annuity inside an IRA: If you already have an annuity in an IRA, you may be able to transfer it to the SDIRA. This keeps tax advantages intact, but you must complete the process carefully to avoid penalties.
   

While these funding methods give an SDIRA flexibility, there are important considerations and potential complications to be aware of before investing:

• Surrender charges: If you move an existing annuity before the contract’s surrender period ends, the insurance company may charge an early withdrawal fee. 
• Insurance carrier acceptance: Not every insurer allows an SDIRA to own their annuity contracts, so you’ll need to carefully shop around.
• Custodian involvement: All transactions must go through a custodian, which can add more processing time since you can’t write a check or sign paperwork directly. 

Pros and cons of self-directed annuity

Self-directed annuities are a powerful tool for retirement planning, but they’re not for everyone. Here’s a look at some of the advantages and risks of an SDIRA.

Pros of SDIRAs

• Tax deferral: Self-directed investing allows your investments to grow tax-deferred. That way, you won’t pay taxes on earnings inside the account until you take withdrawals — giving your money more time to compound and grow your retirement savings. IRAs and qualified plans—such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s— are already tax-deferred. Therefore, a deferred annuity should only be used to fund an IRA or qualified plan to benefit from the annuity’s features other than tax deferral. 
• Customization: A self-directed account lets you choose what you want to hold, so you can tailor the mix of assets and annuity contracts to match your retirement goals. 
• Diversification: With a self-directed annuity, you can combine guaranteed income with other assets, like real estate and private equity. This can add more variety to your retirement income.

Cons of SDIRAs

• Complexity: SDIRAs are more complex than a standard IRA annuity. That’s why you’ll need a custodian to help you handle transactions, follow IRS rules, and coordinate with insurance carriers — all of which can be time-consuming.
• Prohibited-transaction risk: The IRS sets strict limits on how IRA assets can be used. Violating these rules can lead to additional taxes and penalties.
• Possible reduced carrier offerings: Not every insurance company allows SDIRAs to own their annuities. As a result, this limits your choices compared with a personal annuity, and it might add extra requirements or higher fees.

Setting up a self-directed annuity in 6 steps

To ensure compliance and protect your retirement income, follow these steps to purchase an annuity with an SDIRA.

1. Choose an eligible annuity and carrier that allows IRA ownership: Confirm the annuity is IRA-eligible and the insurance carrier will accept an SDIRA as the owner.
2. Select a custodian experienced with annuities: Carefully select a custodian familiar with annuity contracts and retirement account rules. This is who you’ll trust to handle paperwork, move funds where they need to go, and keep everything in line with IRS regulations.
3. Fund the account: You can fund a self-directed annuity with a lump sum, transferring money from another IRA, or making a new contribution within annual limits. Just be sure the funding method meets IRS rules to steer clear of accidental penalties.
4. Complete carrier and custodian titling paperwork: Title the annuity contract in the name of the SDIRA. This step helps you comply with retirement account rules, and ensures the IRS recognizes your annuity as an IRA-owned asset.
5. Confirm beneficiary and distribution options: Choose beneficiaries based on your retirement and estate planning goals. Also, make sure the annuity’s payout options comply with IRA withdrawal rules and support your long-term plans.
6. Document vendor communications and retain signed confirmations: Save copies of all forms and confirmations with the carrier and custodian. This creates a paper trail that protects you against compliance issues or future disputes.

3 misconceptions of self-directed IRAs & annuities

Here’s a look at some common misunderstandings about SDIRAs.

• Misconception 1: SDIRAs are risky or unregulated. Even though SDIRAs can hold alternative investments, they follow strict IRS rules. With the right holdings, they’re just as safe and compliant as traditional retirement accounts.
• Misconception 2: You can do whatever you want with these assets. SDIRAs may offer more choices, but there are clear limits — like not using property owned by the IRA or making deals with disqualified people.
• Misconception 3: Setting up an SDIRA is overly complicated. An SDIRA has more steps than a standard IRA annuity, but a knowledgeable custodian can handle most of the work. When suitable, SDIRAs can be worth it for the added flexibility.
  

With expert support from Gainbridge, you can explore self-directed annuities on your own terms and make confident, informed decisions that can benefit your financial future.

Self-directed IRA tax rules

SDIRAs follow the same core tax rules as other IRAs. Contributions are tax-deferred, and the entire withdrawal is taxed as ordinary income in retirement.

Roth IRAs offer tax-free growth when you follow qualified withdrawal rules. But both SDIRAs and Roth IRAs still have contribution limits. Tax rules get a bit more complicated when an IRA holds alternative assets. In this case, there are a few SDIRA-specific pitfalls.

Prohibited transactions

The IRS doesn’t allow you to personally benefit from your IRA assets. For instance, if your SDIRA includes real estate as an asset, you can’t use the property for personal use. You also can’t sign paperwork as an individual instead of through the custodian. A prohibited transaction can invalidate the IRA, triggering taxes and penalties.

Disqualified persons

Certain individuals are considered “disqualified persons” under IRS rules. This includes your spouse, parents, and children and any businesses they control. Any transactions like buying or selling assets with a disqualified person, even unintentionally, can violate IRS rules.

UBIT exposure for business income inside an IRA

If your IRA earns income from an active business, it could be subject to unrelated business income tax (UBIT). This tax also applies if the IRA uses debt financing to purchase assets. For example, if your SDIRA invests in a business or uses a loan to buy property or fund an annuity contract, any earnings from those assets may be taxable. 

Explore self-directed annuities with Gainbridge

Self-directed annuities offer guaranteed income and the freedom to diversify your retirement strategy. At Gainbridge, we aim to simplify the annuity process, helping you navigate your options confidently while staying aligned with IRS rules.

Curious if a SDIRA is the right strategy for you? Our licensed agents are here to help you explore the possibilities. Explore Gainbridge today and take the next step toward building your financial future. 

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This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be interpreted as, individualized investment, legal, or tax advice. For advice concerning your own situation please contact the appropriate professional.  The Gainbridge® digital platform provides informational and educational resources intended only for self-directed purposes. Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuer. Withdrawals of taxable amounts are subject to ordinary income tax and if made before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. Distributions of taxable amounts from a nonqualified annuity may also be subject to an additional 3.8% federal tax on net investment income. Under current law, a nonqualified annuity that is owned by an individual is generally entitled to tax deferral. IRAs and qualified plans—such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s— are already tax-deferred. Therefore, a deferred annuity should only be used to fund an IRA or qualified plan to benefit from the annuity’s features other than tax deferral. These include lifetime income, death benefit options, and the ability to transfer among investment options without sales or withdrawal charges.

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