Self-Directed IRAs
A self-directed IRA (SDIRA) gives you the freedom to invest in what you know—beyond just stocks and bonds. With options like real estate, private equity, and precious metals, you can build a retirement portfolio that truly reflects your goals.
Access a broader range of investments you know and understand
Invest in companies and ideas you truly believe in
Reduce exposure to market volatility and inflation risk
Gain greater control and flexibility over your retirement strategy
Enjoy tax-deferred or tax-free growth, tax advantages, and estate planning opportunities
Preserve assets under federal bankruptcy laws
Explore tax-advantaged retirement accounts designed to fit your investment strategy and financial goals.
Grow your retirement savings with tax-deferred contributions and earnings, giving you more opportunities to invest for the future.
Contribute after-tax dollars and enjoy tax-free growth with the potential for tax-free withdrawals in retirement.
Designed for business owners and self-employed individuals, SEP IRAs allow employers to make tax-deductible contributions to employee retirement accounts.
An easy-to-manage retirement plan for small businesses that lets employers and employees contribute toward long-term savings.
By choosing STRATA Trust Company, you're working with a custodian committed to empowering your financial future through experience, integrity, and unparalleled service.
| Service attributes | STRATA | Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated onboarding support team | STRATA: Yes | Competitors: No |
| Required minimum cash balance | STRATA: $0 | Competitors: $300-500 |
| Investment processing speed | STRATA: 24-48 hours, 95% processed within 24 hrs. | Competitors: 3-5 days |
| Service & responsiveness | STRATA: Responsive service from knowledgeable professionals, with 70% of staff in client-facing roles and average phone wait times <1 minute | Competitors: Generic call center support, restricted availability, and lengthy queues typically 10+ minutes |
| Pricing transparency | STRATA: Straightforward, transparent pricing | Competitors: Unclear pricing structures |
| Technology & tools | STRATA: Streamlined, user-friendly forms with simple navigation and secure online submission via ServiceNOW. | Competitors: Paper-driven workflows that delay and complicate transactions |
STRATA’s online application makes it easy to choose your IRA type, enter your info, and upload documents—all in one secure session. Most accounts are opened in under 10 minutes.
Transfer an existing IRA, roll over a 401(k), or make a new contribution—all processed securely with STRATA. Most funding is completed in just a few days.
Choose from real estate, private equity, debt, or metals. STRATA reviews for eligibility and confirms next steps—helping you invest with confidence.
With over 350 years of combined experience, our team delivers unmatched expertise in alternative asset custody and IRS compliance.
You can have a Traditional or Roth IRA whether or not you participate in another retirement plan through your employer or business. However, you might not be able to deduct all of your Traditional IRA contributions if you or your spouse participates in another retirement plan at work. Roth IRA contributions might be limited if your income exceeds a certain level.
Cash held in your custodial account at STRATA is FDIC-insured for coverage up to $250,000. Investments held within your self-directed IRA — such as real estate, private placements, notes, or precious metals — are not insured, are not guaranteed by STRATA, and may increase or decrease in value.
STRATA acts as the custodian of your account. We administer the account and provide IRS reporting, but we do not evaluate, endorse, or guarantee any investment you choose.
As with any investment, you assume the risk and potential reward based on the assets you select. Learn more about investor due diligence.
To open a self-directed IRA with STRATA, you must be either a U.S. citizen or a resident alien as defined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at the time the account is opened. Under IRS rules, an individual is generally considered a resident alien if they meet either the green card test or the substantial presence test for the applicable tax year.
For more information about residency requirements, please visit IRS.gov or consult a qualified tax professional.
While self-directed IRAs can be a safe way to invest retirement funds, investors should be mindful of potential fraudulent schemes when considering a self-directed IRA. Investors should understand that the custodians and trustees of self-directed IRAs may have limited duties to investors and that the custodians and trustees for these accounts will generally not evaluate the quality or legitimacy of an investment and its promoters.
As with every investment, investors should undertake their own evaluation of the merits of a proposal and should check with regulators about the background and history of an investment and its promoters before making a decision. Learn more about how to protect yourself from fraud.
An inherited IRA—also called a beneficiary IRA—is an IRA that passes to a named beneficiary after the original account holder’s death.
A beneficiary may be an individual or certain types of entities, as permitted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). While beneficiaries cannot make new annual contributions to an inherited IRA, the assets in the account continue to receive tax-deferred (or potentially tax-free, in the case of a Roth IRA) treatment. To help ensure your IRA transfers according to your wishes, keep your beneficiary designations current. Accountholders may update their designations using STRATA’s Beneficiary Designation/Change form.
For additional information, refer to IRS.gov and/or download STRATA's Distribution Options: IRA Guidelines to overview beneficiary distribution options and key terms.
Invest in private equity and debt—with expert guidance every step.
Access tools and support you need to hold real property in your IRA.
Easily invest in IRS-approved metals with secure custody and simple processing.
Add traditional assets like stocks and mutual funds to your self-directed IRA.
Not sure which IRA type or investment option is right for you? Our team is ready to guide you through the process and answer your questions.
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