How I Set Up My Self-Directed 401(k) (And Why You Might Want One Too)
Hey fam đ I wanted to drop a quick blog post that might be a game-changer for your future self. As both a CPA and a real estate agent, Iâve always looked for ways to legally grow wealth and protect it. One of the best tools Iâve found? A Self-Directed 401(k). It sounds fancy (and maybe a little intimidating), but I promise itâs simpler than it looks â and it can open up a world of opportunities to invest your retirement dollars in the things you understand best⌠like real estate. Let me walk you through how I set mine up, what it lets me do, and how you can get started too. Step-by-Step: How I Opened My Self-Directed 401(k) Hereâs the quick breakdown of how I set mine up: 1. Own an LLC or business â
You need to have some kind of self-employment income â in our case, real estate commissions work perfectly. My real estate LLC was already in place, so I was good to go. 2. Choose a 401(k) plan provider that allows self-directionâ
I went with The Entrust Group. They specialize in self-directed retirement accounts and offer Solo 401(k) plans with a lot of flexibility. Great service, super responsive. 3. Create your plan documentsâ
This includes the plan adoption agreement, trust agreement, and some other legal docs that make your plan official and IRS-compliant. Your plan provider can provide these. 4. Get a new EIN (Employer Identification Number) for your 401(k)â
You canât use your business EIN for this â the 401(k) trust needs its own. Youâll apply for it via the IRS website. Takes just a few minutes. 5. Open a bank or brokerage account for the 401(k) trustâ
Once your plan and EIN are set up, you can open an account in the name of the 401(k) trust. From there, you can start contributing funds and investing. Why I Love My Self-Directed 401(k) Now hereâs the fun part. With a self-directed 401(k), youâre no longer stuck picking between mutual funds A, B, or C. You can invest in: â
Real estate (residential, commercial, land) â
Private lending (become the bank â offer loans to investors)