You need to save for retirement. That doesn’t necessarily mean working hard. However, it does require that you open up a Roth IRA account and consider ways of building your equity other than investing in the stock market.
We can’t rely on one income source. The traditional IRA puts your funds into the stocks and bonds which is a risky option. When you consider the profit, keeping funds in the IRA reduces your gain. You also pay a management fee. If you pay 2% for management fees, your lifetime profit will be reduced by 67%.
If you invest $100,000 and the money keeps sitting in the account for 30 years, the amount left will be $36,000. The compounding law applies to the deductions as well. We also need to consider the inflation rate when calculating the profit. Retirement planning is about the future. Do consider the inflation rate before choosing an investment strategy.
What should be your course of action if the retirement accounts can’t provide the financial security?
- The first thing is to diversify your investment portfolio. Don’t rely on one income source. Invest money in real estate, stocks, bonds, and other plans.
- Second, open up a Roth self-directed IRA. A Roth IRA makes your calculations easier. You’ll pay the tax first. So, after retirement, you can withdraw money without worrying about tax payments.
What is a Self-Directed IRA?
Let’s first discuss the concept of the ‘Individual Retirement Account.’ You work with a company to manage your portfolio. A custodian invests your funds in stocks and bonds. You earn a return on investment while you pay management fees and taxes. However, your options are limited. You can’t choose to invest money in other avenues. The plan is fixed, and you don’t get various options.
A self-directed IRA opens up opportunities for you. If you want to open up a franchise, you can use the money in your retirement account. If you are interested in buying a rental property or commercial property; you can do so by using the retirement account. According to laws, you can’t personally manage the retirement account. You’ll need to hire a custodian or a trustee who will oversee the funds on your behalf.
A Roth Self Directed IRA is an even better option. As now, you can invest your funds independently, but you also don’t have to worry about future tax deductions.
What are the Benefits of Investing in Income Generating Property?
Improved Return on Investment
Investing in real estate can give you double-digit returns. When you buy a rental property, you earn money in two ways. You get the monthly rental income, and the property appreciation rate keeps your investment safe.
Diversification Protects Your Assets
Real estate investments are considered safe compared to investing in the stock exchange market. Your investment won’t disappear overnight, and it will continue to provide an ROI. Furthermore, investing in real estate doesn’t limit your options. You can choose to be a private money lender, invest your funds in investment trusts, be a commercial RE investor or buy fixer-uppers.
It’s a rule. When using a self-directed IRA, you cannot buy personal property under your name. Any profit earned from the investment property must be returned to the retirement account, i.e., you cannot use the property or the profit before retirement.
Let’s say; you bought a house worth $150,000 from your retirement money. After five years, the value of the home is $275,000. You sell the property. At that time, the entire profit and the sales price must be returned to the retirement account. The same can be said about rental property, private lending or commercial investment ventures.
Using a Self-Directed IRA to Invest in Real Estate—Example
John 52 had saved $400,000 in his retirement account. He was worried that the money could disappear in the stock market. It was evident that if a little risk was assumed, he could have earned significantly higher returns on his investment. After talking to a financial consultant and a tax advisor, he decided to invest his funds in real estate through private money lending.
He chose a credible company and invested $250,000 in a fixer-upper property. He gave a total of $300,000 for the repairs and the purchase. John was the lien holder of the property while the company was rehabbing the house. After four months, John got his money back with a profit of $10,000. Considering the ease of the process, John decided to be a private money lender for long-term. Private money pays you an interest rate of 8%-18%. Most projects will give you an ROI of 10%. That means, when you invest $300k, your annual profit will be $30k.
The typical return from the stock market is 6%. Saving accounts and certificates don’t bring a higher return. Comparing these options, it can be a wise and lucrative option to become a private money lender.
Becoming a private money lender is not the only option. You can choose other investment methods. However, private money gives you a better ROI if you want to earn passive income.
Click here to know how you can become a private money lender using your self-directed IRA?