Self Directed IRAs
To buy DCF Income Payments with qualified funds, a self-directed IRA is required. We have worked with many SDIRA custodians, however, we only recommend GoldStar Trust. They offer the best service, the lowest price, and the fastest execution, and thus there is no reason to look elsewhere.
THERE ARE THREE STEPS IN A DCF INCOME PAYMENT/IRA TRANSACTION:
- Open the Gold Star IRA Account– Complete and sign the application and pay account opening fee
- Account establishment fee of $65 annual/$25 opening can be paid by credit card.
- Input “DCF Exchange” on Page 8, as the Broker Dealer company name. This authorizes us to communicate with Gold Star regarding your DCF Income Payment purchase, but does not grant any investment direction permissions. You may also specify additional advisors on this form also.
- Fund the Gold Star IRA- Page 5, IRA Transfer, or page 6, Rollover Certification
- Depending on the current custodian and the investments held, the transfer may take 2 days or 4 weeks.
- Typically, we wait until the DCF Income Payment is court-approved, then initiate the transfer of funds to Gold Star.
- Buy the DCF Income Payment-
- The DCF Income Payment closing book will be emailed via Docusign with a Direction of Investment form included and ready for purchaser signature.
- Once the DOI is signed, Gold Star signs the Absolute Assignment and the Servicing Agreement as custodian, and funds the purchase of the DCF Income Payment.
- Closed/Funded/Complete.
Self Directed IRA Custodians
There are many self directed IRA custodians, but only a few are familiar with DCF Income Payments, also known in the market as secondary market annuities.
We prefer Gold Star Trust Company above all others. Gold Star is the trust-only branch of a mid-sized Texas based bank and has a specialized niche in the DCF Income Payment business. Gold Star offers fantastic customer service and the lowest prices of any self directed IRA custodian, and is our preferred SDIRA partner.
To be fair, there are two other custodians we can work with for customers who already have accounts, namely IRAServices and Provident Trust Group. Both understand DCF Income Payments and Secondary Market Annuities and are easy to work with, but Gold Star is a superior value and quality of service.
If you plan to use an IRA, you’ll need to open the account first. You do NOT need to fund your IRA to open the account, but as it sometimes takes time to open, and then again takes time to transfer money, we prefer to have IRA buyers open their accounts prior to reserving deals to prevent delays.
What Are The IRA Fees For Multiple DCF Income Payments?
Depending on the custodian, there may be fees for adding multiple DCF Payments to your IRA, but there are generally no fees for receiving funds from the insurance company into your IRA.
Now, depending on what you direct your custodian to do with your IRA funds in terms of distributions, you may incur fees, as outlined in their fee schedule. That’s not something we control and is at your discretion.
Our preferred custodian, Gold Star, charges no additional fees to add multiple DCF Income Payment, and their distribution costs are minimal.
Are Taxes Withheld?
None of the money coming in to the IRA from a DCF Income Payment will be subject to withholding or taxation. Money you direct to come out of your IRA for distribution to you however would be taxable. Those withdrawals are all up to you and your accountant.
That said, lottery DCF Income Payments ARE subject to withholding by the state lottery commission. Typical lottery winners have a $0 cost basis in their prize so all the income is taxable and taxes are withheld by the lottery commission in the state of issue for both state and federal. But as you bought the lottery payment, you DO have a cost basis.
In this case, Lottery payments purchased in your IRA will require your IRA to file for a refund in the State that issues the lottery.
Are There Carrier Fees?
While there are no fees to insurance companies, there may be minimal costs for payment servicing. Otherwise, DCF Income Payments are What You See Is What You Get.
IRA custodians have fees, as laid out in their fee schedules. How you choose determines the fees.
What about Custodian Fees?
There are generally no costs associated with receiving a check into your IRA from a DCF Income Payment. There may be some minimal costs for adding multiple IRAs, depending on your custodian. All custodians, however, have some costs for disbursements, and depending on your case and intentions, we can help determine which is best for you.
Now, depending on what you direct your custodian to do with your IRA funds in terms of distributions, you may incur fees, as outlined in their fee schedule. That’s not something we control and is at your discretion.
About Self Directed IRAs
Self directed IRAs are simply IRAs held by a custodian that permits you to direct your own investments- you can choose to buy DCF Income Payments, real estate, or any other sort of investment. A self directed IRA custodian will not offer you investment advice- they just ensure the account is in compliance with the IRS.
By contrast, many IRAs held by brokerages like Schwab or Fidelity let you pick from only a few Fidelity or Schwab mutual funds- they are restricted and captive, and may offer traditional stock picking advice. Read about self directed IRA’s here.
Best Cases For Qualified Funds
IRAs are designed to offer tax deferral for investors saving for retirement…. and they are designed to be SPENT in retirement as well. Most investors can’t touch the money in their IRA’s for a long time, and too often, people shoot for income contracts in an IRA and produce income (and return of principal) that they can’t take out. Instead, take advantage of these deferred interest rates and consider deferred lump sum cases.
RMD Details
Holding DCF Income Payments in a qualified vehicle requires the custodian to calculate the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) each year. Be aware that long term deferred DCF Payment contracts in qualified vehicles for investors over 73 years of age may be subject to RMDs yet not produce cash flow. Advisors should be sure there is sufficient money for RMDs when using deferred contracts in IRAs.