Next Generation Trust will close early at 3:30 PM on Christmas Eve (12/24) and New Year’s Eve (12/31) and will be closed all day on Christmas Day (12/25) and New Year’s Day (1/1).

Taking Stock of Your Retirement Finances: Steps for a Successful New Year

Taking Stock of Your Retirement Finances: Steps for a Successful New Year

As we approach 2025, it’s a perfect time to take stock of your finances, reassess your retirement plan, and evaluate your investments. Doing this annual financial check-in can ensure you’re on track to meet your retirement savings goals and make the most of your resources. Here are some steps to take (in between those holiday parties and the gift wrapping) to put your finances on solid footing for 2025.

1. Review Your Financial Goals

Whether saving for retirement is top of the list or other lifestyle objectives take precedent (such as saving for a home, planning a big vacation, or helping your adult kids with major expenses), make your financial goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. Adjust them as necessary to reflect any changes in your life or priorities.

2. Check Your Credit Report

Don’t get caught by a nasty surprise that affects your credit rating! Obtain a free copy of your credit report from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion and look for any errors or discrepancies. Credit scores determine the interest rates you are offered or qualify for, fir everything from credit cards to mortgages to auto loans.

3. Assess Your Budget

Creating a yearly budget is always helpful, especially as you are near retirement or are already retired and have a more fixed income. Review your income and expenses over the past year and identify areas that will change (up or down), see where you can cut back if necessary to stay within budget, and assess how much income you can put toward your retirement savings. Speaking of which…

4. Evaluate Your Retirement Plan

Retirement planning is a long-term commitment. Review your self-directed IRA (SDIRA) or solo (k) plan, or your employer-sponsored plan to make sure you’re contributing enough to meet your retirement goals. Consult your trusted advisor to ensure your retirement strategy aligns with your current and future needs.
If you know and understand alternative assets—and want to include them in their retirement portfolio—that evaluation may include opening a new self-directed IRA.

5. Analyze Your Investments

Evaluate your portfolio to see how your investments are performing and diversify to mitigate risks and optimize returns. Adjust your asset allocation based on your risk tolerance and financial goals.
One (big) benefit of investing in alternative assets—such as real estate, precious metals, commodities, private equity funding, and royalties (to name a few) is that these provide valuable portfolio diversification. And, because their performance is not tied to the stock market, they also provide a hedge against market volatility and inflation. Remember that alternative assets are generally long-term, illiquid investments, so make sure the nontraditional investments in your self-directed IRA are in line with your “retirement runway.”
If you have questions about the many alternative assets allowed in self-directed retirement plans, you can always contact the team Next Generation Trust Company or sign up for one of our educational events (or watch our webinars about alternative asset investing and various retirement plan topics on demand).

6. Set Up Automatic Contributions

Deploy this New Year resolution to pay yourself first and avoid the spending temptation. Automatic contributions to your retirement plan or savings accounts ensure they are funded on a regular basis and help you stick to your financial goals.

7. Plan for Taxes

Tax planning can save you a significant amount of money. Review your tax situation and look for opportunities to reduce your tax liability. Contributions to tax-advantaged health savings accounts (HSAs) or education savings accounts (ESAs) can be part of your overall tax AND savings strategies. Also make sure that any distributions you take do not trigger an unanticipated tax event (or be prepared to pay any taxes and/or penalties based on early or other distributions outside of RMDs). Keep abreast of any changes in tax laws that may affect your financial situation.

8. Update Your Insurance Coverage

Do you review your insurance policy renewal documents when they arrive, or do you shove them into a file with just a glance? Read all your policies—health, auto, home, and life insurance—to make sure you have adequate coverage to protect yourself and your loved ones. Make coverage adjustments as needed to reflect changes in your circumstances.

9. Create or Update Your Estate Plan

Anyone with assets should have an estate plan in place to ensure those assets are distributed according to your wishes. Review and update your will, trust, and beneficiary designations (and make sure we have your current beneficiaries designated on your SDIRA documents). Life circumstances and financial scenarios change over time, so you want all your legal documents, including estate planning tools, up to date.

10. Track Your Financial Progress

From monthly statements from your IRA custodian to semi-annual meetings with your advisor, stay on top of your budget, retirement savings, and investment performance and make course corrections as needed to align with market trends or shifts in your retirement goals.

One more step toward a successful 2025: a SDIRA with Next Generation Trust Company
Are you getting the white glove service you deserve from your current self-directed IRA custodian? Is your custodian available to answer your questions and provide client education about alternative assets and self-directed investing?
As a full-service administrator and custodian for SDIRAs, Next Generation has our clients’ best interests at the forefront of what we do. We have 20 years of experience in the self-directed IRA field and are proud of the high level of client service we provide, every day. If you’re looking to make a switch in the coming year, contact us to discuss your needs: NewAccounts@NextGenerationTrust.com or 888.857-8058.

Jaime Raskulinecz of Next Generation, a Firm Specializing in Self-Directed IRAs, Shares Statistics and Insights Regarding Gen X Savers and Retirement Readiness

ROSELAND, NJ, November 23, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ — In a recent article, Jaime Raskulinecz, CEO of Next Generation Trust Company, outlined chief concerns among Gen X members about their retirement readiness. This cohort, born between 1965 and 1980, might delay their retirement or continue working in some capacity through their retirement years according to insights cited in the article.

“Between lingering student debt, mortgage payments, credit card debt, the dot-com bubble burst, multiple stock market downturns and the financial fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Gen Xers have underfunded retirement plans—or none at all, even though they are doing relatively well financially as a group,” said Raskulinecz. “Other life issues such as caregiving for aging parents, supporting grown children and the cost of health care for seniors all add to their concern about their lack of retirement savings.”

Next Generation specializes in the administration of and asset custody for self-directed retirement plans. These plans allow investors—who make all their own investment decisions—to diversify their retirement portfolios with a broad array of alternative assets such as real estate, precious metals, royalties, private equity funding, commodities, and many more.

Surveys and reports shed light on Gen X lack of retirement readiness

The article includes insights from a Wealth Watch survey, the 2024 Annual Retirement Study from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, the 2024 Transamerica Retirement Survey of Workers and the 2024 BlackRock Read on Retirement report. Among the results were:

Self-direction as a retirement strategy

Raskulinecz noted that anyone with earned income can open a self-directed IRA and boost their retirement savings with nontraditional investments they already know and understand. Since alternative assets’ returns are not correlated with stock market performance, this strategy enables account owners to build a tax-advantaged hedge against stock market volatility and take advantage of investing opportunities more nimbly to meet retirement goals.

Read the full article about Gen X retirement readiness on the Next Generation blog. More information about self-direction as a retirement wealth-building strategy and about Next Generation is at www.NextGenerationTrust.com.

About Next Generation

Founded on the philosophy that every person should have control over their retirement plans, Next Generation educates consumers and professionals about self-directed retirement plans and nontraditional investments, a strategy at one time reserved only for the very wealthy. Next Generation Services provides comprehensive account administration and transaction support, and its sister company, Next Generation Trust Company, acts as custodian for all accounts. The neutral third-party professionals at Next Generation expertly guide clients and their trusted advisors as part of their white glove, personalized service for a seamless transaction experience from start to finish. For more information, visit www.NextGenerationTrust.com, or contact Next Generation at 888.857.8058 or NewAccounts@NextGenerationTrust.com.

Alternative Asset Spotlight: Private Credit Investments in a Self-directed IRA

An alternative asset class that’s getting attention from self-directed investors is private credit, also called private debt, which has grown due to tighter lending policies among traditional financial institutions. The tighter credit market has created opportunities for self-directed investors to become lenders through their retirement accounts.

In short, private credit is a way for businesses (usually small or middle-market companies) to borrow needed funds from non-bank entities and for investors to generate sustainable fixed income. The lender may be an accredited investor or in the case of our clients, a SDIRA. (Note that some private credit funds—another way to invest in this asset—require the IRA owner to be accredited.)

According to Morgan Stanley, the private credit market was around $1.5 trillion at the start of 2024 (up from approximately $1 trillion in 2020) with forecasted growth estimates pegging it at $2.8 trillion by 2028.
 

The benefits of private credit investing

Businesses get the cash they need in the form of a loan and investors get a fixed return on the investment, with terms (interest rate, payment schedule) agreed upon in advance by both parties.

Investors who include private credit in their retirement account:

 

A range of private credit opportunities

Private debt ranges from distressed debt to specialty finance and middle-market investing. These include direct lending to private, non-investment-grade companies; investing in mezzanine or “junior capital” debt; and real estate, venture, infrastructure, and asset-based lending. The loans may be secured or unsecured (another term for both parties to work out before sending instructions to the self-directed IRA administrator).

Self-directed investors may also invest in private credit funds, in which investors pool their capital, and the fund manager invests in loans to various private companies; and interval funds, investment companies that offer to repurchase their own shares from shareholders periodically (i.e., investors may redeem their shares at certain intervals).

As we shared in prior posts, other ways account owners diversify their SDIRA portfolios is by investing in promissory notes and private equity funding.
 

Examples of investing in private debt

Investors may invest in private debt (or said another way, include a private credit investment) for a variety of business scenarios, such as:

 

Next Generation is here to help with all type of nontraditional investments

As with any self-directed investment, we encourage all our clients at Next Generation to research carefully and truly understand the alternative asset—which in some cases noted above, can be complex. Through our commitment to client education, you can schedule a complimentary educational session with a Next Generation representative, who can explain more about private credit and other alternative assets allowed in SDIRAs. You can also contact our office during business hours: NewAccounts@NextGenerationTrust.com or (888) 857-8058.

Generation X Savers: Are They Prepared Enough for Their Upcoming Retirement Years?

Reasons why Gen Xers are concerned about their retirement readiness

It seems many members of Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, might be considering a delayed retirement—or working in some capacity through their retirement years. With the oldest Gen Xers turning 60 next year, this generation’s shared experiences over the past 20 years—and what may lie ahead—are contributing factors to a general underfunding of and concern about their retirement plans.

Between lingering student debt (their own or their children’s), mortgage payments, credit card debt, the dot-com bubble burst, stock market downturns following the 9/11 attacks and the Great Recession in 2008-2009, and the financial fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are enough factors to cause concern. Add the potential to become caregivers for aging parents or needing to support grown children, the cost of health care in our senior years, and other life issues, it’s no wonder many Gen Xers are concerned about their retirement savings (or lack thereof)—in spite of this cohort doing fairly well financially.

 

Recent surveys and statistics about Gen X retirement readiness

A Wealth Watch survey from New York Life surveyed 2,230 adults. The survey reported that 70% of Generation X think they will retire “later than expected” “or not at all

The 2024 Annual Retirement Study* from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, done earlier this year, sheds light on how Generation X consumers foresee their retirement—and the threats to retirement savings and security.

Participants’ top concerns were:

The survey also revealed that less than half of Gen Xers have a plan for how to take income in retirement (44%), and 45% are worried about how to best take distributions from their retirement plan. Over half (55%) wish they would have saved more money for retirement, citing expenses for day-to-day necessities, credit card debt, and housing debt as barriers to saving more for retirement. Forty-eight percent worry they will live too frugally and not enjoy retirement as much. In addition. 58% of the Gen X respondents do not have a written financial plan.

NOTE: As we often recommend to our clients with self-directed IRAs, consult your trusted advisors—not only about the alternative assets in your portfolio but your retirement income projection and strategy.

In the 2024 Transamerica Retirement Survey of Workers, which reached 5,730 workers, the median Gen X household has $93,000 in retirement savings and as a result, In the 2024 BlackRock Read on Retirement report, only 60% of Gen Xers feel “on track” for retirement, the lowest share of any generation and 60% worry they will outlive their retirement savings.

 

About those retirement plans…

The Allianz survey responses showed that:

That 82% figure is right behind millennials, who appear to be somewhat more prepared and confident about their retirement.

Among millennials, now ages 28-43, 83% reported making retirement plan contributions, and 77% reported they feel confident about being able to financially support all the things they want to do in life. This is despite the oldest of them entering the workforce during post-9/11 economic uncertainty and younger millennials dealing with the post-COVID economy.

 

About self-directed IRAs and retirement savings strategy

Saving for retirement takes discipline, no question. It also means having a goal and a long-term plan for retirement. How much income will you need? What will your budget include? How much do you have to contribute to your retirement account to meet your goals? And—good news for Gen X taxpayers who are over age 50—don’t forget that you can make catchup contributions to your IRA.

One strategy we share—in our webinars, white papers, and when investors contact our office—is including alternative assets within a self-directed IRA.

A SDIRA enables you to boost retirement savings by investing in a broad array of alternative assets—nontraditional investments that are prohibited in traditional retirement plans. Why settle for stock market volatility when you can build a more diverse portfolio with real estate, precious metals, private equity funding, royalties, gas & mineral rights, and so many more alternatives?

Self-direction is a strategy that offers many more ways to build retirement savings. It also expects—as “self-directed” investors—that account holders to do all their own research about investments and make their own investment decisions. Next Generation executes the transactions, administers the paperwork and filing for the account, and retains asset custody for our clients.

We also offer complimentary educational sessions and a helpful team that’s here to answer your questions. Contact us at 888.857.8058 or NewAccounts@NextGenerationTrust.com about opening a new self-directed IRA (Traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE).

Looking Ahead to 2025: Upcoming Changes to IRAs and 401(k)s That May Affect Your Retirement

The changes to IRAs that will be implemented in 2025 apply to Traditional, Roth, and SIMPLE IRAs and 401(k) plans. These include self-directed IRAs and self-directed solo(k)s. Some were passed as part of the SECURE Act 2.0 and are now being phased in. Here are some issues to be aware of, plan for, or to discuss with your trusted advisor.


Upcoming changes to IRAs

• SIMPLE IRAs: catch-up contributions for people aged 60 to 63
Starting in 2025, the catch-up contribution limit for people between 60 and 63 years old and who participate in a SIMPLE IRA plan will increase to $5,250. To qualify for this higher contribution limit, you must turn 60 and/or be no older than 63 within the 2025 calendar year.

• New inherited IRA 10-year rule
Prior to 2020, beneficiaries could take advantage of the “stretch IRA” when they inherited an IRA from someone who passed away. That meant they could take distributions from the inherited IRA over the course of their lifetime (stretching the distribution time horizon) and prolonging tax-deferred growth of the assets within the account.
However, the new rule is that non-spouse beneficiaries who inherited an IRA on or after January 1, 2020 must withdraw all funds in the IRA within ten years. They have until December 31 of the tenth full calendar year following the death of the individual from whom they inherited the IRA.

o If the original account owner had reached RMD age at the time of his/her passing, beneficiaries must continue taking annual distributions.
o If the decedent had not yet reached RMD age, the beneficiaries must still spend down the assets within 10 years but may take the withdrawals at any time within that period.

Exceptions to the 10-year rule are surviving spouses, disabled or chronically ill persons, children under age 21, and a beneficiary who is no more than 10 years younger than the decedent (perhaps a sibling or other relative within that 10-year age range). Anyone who falls into these categories may withdraw funds from the inherited IRA over their lifetime (the stretch) beginning in the year following the decedent’s death. Surviving spouses can transfer the inherited funds into their own IRA and do not have to start withdrawing those funds until they must begin taking required minimum distributions (RMDs).

• Inherited IRA RMD penalties
For beneficiaries who did not take RMDs from their inherited IRAs in 2021 through 2024, the IRS is now implementing its final rule regarding this. Starting in 2025, a 25% penalty will be assessed for those who do not take their RMD on accounts they inherited in 2020 and later.
The 25% amount is less than previous RMD penalties (which were 50% of the amount that should have been withdrawn!). It is possible to reduce the penalty to 10% if the RMD is “timely corrected” within two years. We strongly recommend you consult your trusted tax advisor for guidance on this matter.
Note that the SECURE Act of 2019 increased the RMD age to 72 and then SECURE 2.0 upped the age to 73 for individuals who reach that age in 2023 and later. The changes around inherited IRAs and RMD age confused many people, so the Internal Revenue Service had waived penalties for certain IRAs inherited in 2020 and later.

Upcoming changes to 401(k) plans
• Larger catch-up contributions to 401(k)s for older participants
Like the new limits for SIMPLE IRAs, active 401(k) plan participants who will be between 60 and 63 years old in 2025 can make a bigger catch-up contribution of up to $11,250, effective for the 2025 tax year.

• Automatic enrollment
All 401(k) plans that were in place on or after December 29, 2022 will be required to implement auto enrollment for all qualified employees (some exceptions apply).
o The initial automatic enrollment contribution amount must be at least 3% but not more than 10%.
o That amount is increased by 1% in each subsequent year until it reaches at least 10%, but not more than 15%.
NOTE: The automatic enrollment rule does not mean mandatory participation is required, as employees can change the contribution rate or opt out entirely.

Year-end retirement plan contribution and distribution reminders
• 401(k) plans – The deadline to contribute is December 31, 2024.
• Roth and Traditional IRAs – You always have until the tax filing deadline to make the prior year’s contributions. Therefore, you have until April 15, 2025 to make 2024 contributions. Remember, if you have multiple IRAs, the contribution limit is an aggregate across all accounts. For example, if you own a Traditional and a Roth IRA and your contribution limit is $8000 (including a catch-up amount due to your age), that $8000 is the maximum amount allowed for both accounts combined, not for each.
• Excess contributions – Did you know you pay tax on excess amounts in your account? If you exceed the 2024 IRA contribution limit, you can withdraw excess contributions from your account by the due date of your tax return (including extensions) to avoid paying a 6% tax each year on the excess amounts left in your account.
• Required minimum distributions – Failure to take your RMD on time triggers an excise tax. Your tax professional or financial planner can help you calculate the RMD separately for each IRA that you own other than any Roth IRAs (Roth IRAs are exempt from these distributions until after the death of the owner). You are allowed to withdraw the total amount from one or more of your non-Roth IRAs.


Contact Next Generation with questions about your self-directed IRA

At Next Generation, we provide full account administration and asset custody services for all types of self-directed plans—Traditional, Roth, SIMPLE and SEP IRAs as well as 401(k)s, health savings accounts (HSAs) and education savings accounts (ESAs). While we do not offer investment advice, we do offer lots of client education about the many types of alternative assets allowed in SDIRAs and other plans. If you have questions, we have the answers. Contact our team at NewAccounts@NextGenerationTrust.com or 888.857.8058 or schedule a complimentary educational session to find out more.

Maximizing Investment Flexibility by Switching Your Self-Directed IRA Custodian

When it comes to investment possibilities, a self-directed IRA (SDIRA) provides unparalleled flexibility. The many SDIRA investment options enable savvy investors to include a broad array of alternative assets within their retirement portfolio.

If you are considering opening your investment horizons to alternative assets in your retirement plan—and build a more diverse portfolio with a hedge against stock market volatility—consider switching your retirement plan to a self-directed IRA custodian.

 

IRA flexibility—SDIRA investment options are many

With a SDIRA, you aren’t limited to stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. By opening a new self-directed IRA, you can build retirement wealth with assets you already know and understand, with the same tax advantages as regular plans. You can include nontraditional investments you may already be investing in outside of your existing retirement plan.

That IRA flexibility shows up when account owners include real estate, precious metals, private equity funding, secured or unsecured loads, commodities, and many more alternative assets within their plans. You can create a more creative portfolio and take advantage of investment opportunities more nimbly.

Traditional and Roth IRAs may be self-directed (as can health savings accounts and education savings accounts), so contributions either grow tax-deferred (Traditional) or tax-free (Roth).

 

Time to switch IRA firms?

Switching your custodian to one that specializes in self-directed IRAs means partnering with a professional financial firm that has expertise in alternative asset investing. The custodian holds the assets on behalf of the account and executes investment transactions based on the account owner’s instructions. So, just as you would research your self-directed investments, be sure to do your research on SDIRA custodians as well.

When making the switch, be sure the new custodian also has the experience and processes in place that ensure clients are investing within IRS guidelines regarding SDIRAs. Check on their level of customer service, too. At Next Generation Trust Company, we are a boutique custodial firm that works closely with our clients to always keep that “trust” that is in our name—and a major factor in our client relationships. With 20 years of experience in the field and advanced training and certifications among our team members, we stand ready to share our industry knowledge about alternative asset investing.

And, as a full-service administrator of SDIRAs and other plans, we make sure mandatory reports and filings are handled timely and accurately.

 

If you’re seeking more IRA flexibility and want to know more about how to switch to an SDIRA custodian, contact Next Generation at NewAccounts@NextGenerationTrust.com. If you’re comfortable moving ahead with a new self-directed IRA, check out our starter kits with step-by-step instructions to make an IRA rollover, transfer funds between like IRAs, or contribute new funds.

The Benefits of Personalized Service When You Work with a Boutique Custodial Firm

In the realm of financial institutions as in any industry, the public has a choice of going with “the big guys” or boutique firms. This applies to boutique self-directed IRA firms as well—including Next Generation Trust Company. As a boutique IRA custodian and administrator specializing in self-directed IRAs (SDIRAs), we pride ourselves on the high-touch level of service we deliver to our clients every day.

Personalized SDIRA service

With Next Generation’s personalized SDIRA service, you are never just a number; you are a relationship that truly matters to our small staff of professionals. Our position as a boutique custodian of self-directed IRAs means our clients enjoy several key benefits.

Your safe investing is our priority – we check all your paperwork carefully to ensure everything is in order when you open a new account and verify your investment to avoid an obvious prohibited transaction. Once we have satisfied our internal reviews, we will then execute a transaction on your behalf.

No hoops to jump through – we make opening and funding an SDIRA more streamlined with our online starter kits and informational forms that are always available on our website.

White glove service – the Next Generation team is accessible during normal business hours by phone (no auto attendant) or email to answer your questions about your self-directed investments. In addition:

Expertise in self-directed IRAs – many of our team members hold specialized SDIP (self-directed industry professional) certifications and some also hold CISP (certified IRA services professional) designations. Our expertise is also notable when clients want to make certain IRA rollovers or transfer their IRA from one custodian to Next Generation to receive better service.

Ongoing client education – Next Generation offers complimentary educational sessions and webinars for investors who want to learn more about the alternative assets allowed in SDIRAs. You can schedule your info session here and find our on-demand webinars here. We also post white papers about various topics related to investing in general and self-directed IRAs in particular.

Time to switch IRA providers?
If you’re not receiving the level of service you expect from your current IRA provider, it might be time to transfer your self-directed IRA to Next Generation for better service. As a boutique IRA firm with a focus on our clients’ best interests (and IRS regulations), you’ll get personalized service from a team of professionals who take our relationship with you very seriously. Want to know more? Contact Next Generation at NewAccounts@NextGenerationTrust.com or 888.857.8058.

Jaime Raskulinecz Shares Insights Into Investing in a Real Estate Syndication Through a Self-Directed IRA

CEO of Next Generation and Forbes Finance Council thought leader explains the alternative asset and how it can be used to build retirement wealth

ROSELAND, NJ, September 28, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ — Jaime Raskulinecz, CEO of Next Generation Trust Company, recently published an article in her Forbes Finance Council column about how to include a real estate syndication within a self-directed IRA.

The article details how self-directed investors can include this alternative asset within their retirement plans to build tax-advantaged retirement wealth and passive income. Real estate as an investment category is among the most popular alternative assets in self-directed IRAs. In addition to many types of investment property, account owners can include real estate syndications and lease options.

“Real estate syndications are a partnership between a group of investors who—as fractional participants in the investment—pool their resources to invest in various types of real estate assets. In the case of our clients, the self-directed IRA is the investor,” explained Raskulinecz. Her firm provides full account administration and asset custody for self-directed IRAs and other plans; she is an official member of Forbes Finance Council.

The article discusses the two general types of real estate syndications (equity syndication and debt syndication), syndication structure, and how the retirement plan earns tax-advantaged passive income with the potential for favorable long-term gains.

Like any self-directed investment, Raskulinecz and her team strongly recommend that investors conduct thorough due diligence before sending investment instructions and that they are comfortable making their own investment decisions.

“With a real estate syndication, it’s important to understand the business plan and fees involved, and to research the sponsor and the particular real estate market in which the syndicate is investing,” she noted.

• Read the full article about investing in real estate syndications at https://shorturl.at/t2YwV.
• All of Raskulinecz’s Forbes Finance Council content is at https://shorturl.at/JRAgV.
• More information about self-direction as a retirement wealth-building strategy and about Next Generation is at www.NextGenerationTrust.com.

About Next Generation

Founded on the philosophy that every person should have control over their retirement plans, Next Generation educates consumers and professionals about self-directed retirement plans and nontraditional investments, a strategy at one time reserved only for the very wealthy. Next Generation Services provides comprehensive account administration and transaction support, and its sister company, Next Generation Trust Company, acts as custodian for all accounts. The neutral third-party professionals at Next Generation expertly guide clients and their trusted advisors as part of their white glove, personalized service for a seamless transaction experience from start to finish. For more information, visit www.NextGenerationTrust.com, or contact Next Generation at 888.857.8058 or NewAccounts@NextGenerationTrust.com.

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Real Estate Investors—Time to Get Off the Sidelines as Interest Rates Drop

Real Estate Investors—Time to Get Off the Sidelines as Interest Rates Drop

What goes up must come down and that includes the historically high interest rates that have challenged American borrowers since 2020—real estate investors and home buyers—when mortgage rates doubled. While the Federal Reserve’s interest rate increases helped slow the economy and tame high inflation, many real estate investors have been waiting for more favorable rates to enter the market again.

What does the Fed do?

The Federal Reserve controls the federal funds rate; this rate determines the interest charged in overnight cash reserve transactions between banks. The federal funds rate affects overall borrowing costs (think credit cards, loans, and mortgages) because lenders usually set their rates based on this Fed-determined range.

For real estate investors who’ve been waiting on the sidelines, there’s good news. At its September 18 policy meeting, the Fed lowered the federal funds rate by .5%, bringing it down from the 5.25-5.5% range to 4.75-5%. This is its first rate cut since 2020, when, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal funds rate was 0-.25%!

Some sources predict a Fed fund rate close to 3% by the end of 2025. We encourage everyone to follow announcements from Chairman Powell about projections on the federal funds rate going forward, as it will affect investment decisions.

What’s happening with mortgage rates?

Some good news is that mortgage rates have been falling in recent months with the expectation of the Fed lowering interest rates on September 18. Here’s a look at the average 30-year fixed rate, which is heading in the right (lower) direction:

How mortgage rates affect the real estate market

High mortgage rates result in lower buying or investment levels due to the higher borrowing cost. Self-directed IRAs that make real estate investments may also need to finance part of that investment with a non-recourse loan in which—should the IRA default on the loan—the lender’s only recourse is to foreclose upon the real estate used as collateral.

High rates also drive down prices and can tighten inventory in the residential market. Sellers may hesitate to list their home during a high interest-rate environment and homeowners who locked into a very low rate during the pandemic (when they could get financing at 3%) may not be able to afford to buy something else afterward at higher rates.

Conversely, lower borrowing costs bring more buyers into the real estate market and drive up sales prices due to higher demand. This could mean that real estate investors are in a sweet spot right now—with prices not yet rising dramatically, demand not yet overheated, and borrowing rates at a more comfortable level than in the last few years.

Self-directed investors take note!

Real estate investing is sensitive to interest rate changes but with lower rates ahead, more investors can afford to include this asset within their self-directed IRAs thanks to less expensive financing. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) typically do well in a lower-interest rate environment, so investing in these assets (rather than investing in a property directly) may also benefit self-directed investors.

If you are investing in a property, make sure to retain enough cash in the account to cover maintenance and repair expenses, property management fees, and other related costs associated with the asset. All investment income derived from the real estate must flow directly into the IRA, where it will grow with the same tax advantages as in a typical Traditional or Roth IRA. Your self-directed IRA can also partner with another one to make the investment and pool funds to make a direct cash purchase.

As always, you can rely on Next Generation Trust Company to provide the education and information you need to understand investing in alternative assets in a self-directed IRA. We invite you to join our mailing list and get webinar announcements, or schedule a complimentary educational session to learn more about self-direction as a retirement wealth-building strategy.