Archive for December, 2009

Video: Gold Rush at First State Depository


First State Depository News Video - CLICK IMAGE TO PLAY

Category : News | Blog

Make Your Move…How to Select the Right IRA Plan Administrator

By Lisa Moren Bromma ( reprinted with Permission from Entrust Group)

It amazes me to see the number of people starting companies that state they are custodians or recordkeepers of self-directed IRAs or who develop associations for the IRA industry that are there to “oversee” and “protect the consumer.”

With the Bernie Madoffs of the world out there trying to take advantage of our last dollar, we all need to take extra caution when selecting the right administrator for our IRA. After all, it is our future!

When doing your due diligence, here are some things to ask in your quest to find the right recordkeeper.

1. How long has the company been in business? Watch out for the new pop-up companies on the Internet. Many are not legitimate and are not regulated. Do a background check on any potential provider.
2. Ask for one simple document: the current 5305. If they don’t give it to you, move on.
3. Does the company have a custodial bank? If so, who is it? Are your deposits FDIC insured? Who regulates the bank? If you do not get a clear answer, move on.
4. Is the company’s only service doing recordkeeping on a client’s behalf? If not, does the company do any of the following:

* Sell securities, potentially profiting from your transaction
* Offer other services, such as forming LLCs or other legal structures and charge thousands of dollars for the service
* Recommend any investments, providers of investments, or any other party that could be perceived as giving advice

Make sure that the company is not using recordkeeping as a means to get you to purchase other services.

You owe it to yourself and your financial future to make sure that you are in the right hands.

Category : News | Blog

Precious Metals IRA Investors Have 30 Days To Take Back Control and Save Money With An Entrust New Direction Precious Metals IRA

Goldstar Trust Company, a major provider of Precious Metals IRAs, has just announced that they will raise the total costs for precious metals holdings January 1, 2010.  Goldstar clients have 30 days to move their holdings to another provider like Entrust New Direction before the new fees go into effect.  The annual Goldstar IRA fees may be more than 3 times higher than in 2009.    

The majority of the cost increase is due to Goldstar’s unilateral selection of precious metals depository..   Goldstar does not allow the IRA holder to choose the depository, and when control is limited, the IRA holder may end up with higher fees. With an Entrust New Direction IRA, the IRA holder is free to find the best service provider arrangement and the best depository..   

Take charge of your IRA and make your own choice.  If you want control of your IRA’s assets, act now.  Move to a New Direction IRA by the end of 2009 and regain control of your retirement plan.  You decide on the depository, as well as whether your metals are segregated or stored with those belonging to other IRAs.   Contact us for details and a special offer for in-kind transfers of Precious Metals IRAs.   In light of the short time line Goldstar has given for imposing the new fee structure, (January 1 deadline), you must act now.   Ask us about our easy transfer program or visit our website at gold.newdirectionira.com.    

There are vast differences between depositories. Some are older and use traditional tracking methods, while others have developed electronic tracking and sorting systems.  Each depository has its own particular characteristics regarding accessibility, insurance levels and requirements.  Some have layers of confusing annual fees and, as with many industries, customer service runs the gamut from poor to excellent.   Costs for each company vary, sometimes matching the level of service provided, sometimes not.   As always with your Entrust New Direction Precious Metals IRA — The choice is yours. 

An Entrust New Direction IRA allows storage of IRA-held gold and other metals at the depository of your choice.   Investors familiar with self-direction know that truly self-directed IRAs afford them the power to make all the choices concerning their IRA investments.  If your IRA provider doesn’t allow you to make key choices like the depository, it is time to move to a truly self-directed plan.  It is time for an Entrust New Direction Precious Metals IRA.   

About Entrust New Direction IRA, Inc.: Entrust New Direction (http://newdirectionira.com/), part of the Entrust Group, is a self-directed retirement plan services firm, providing self-directed plans since 1981 and educating the general public about self-directing funds into non-traditional investments such as real estate, gold, private placements, LLCs and others. Entrust New Direction IRA offers both tax-deferred and tax-free self-directed plans to help clients achieve their investment goals. Besides retirement plans, the company also offers self-directed plans to save for children’s education, health savings and more. The firm has also made client education a top priority through classes, articles, and presentations.

Category : News | Blog