Grow Your Investments Like Yale, Through a Self-Directed IRA

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published 9 September 2024

Endowment funds such as Yale University’s, which focuses on investment alternatives, have been great examples of multi-asset-class investing strategies over the last two decades. Case in point: Yale’s endowment experienced $759 million in investment gains for the year ending June 30, 2023, according to its 2022-2023 financial report.

In addition to diversification, alternatives also offer potential investment opportunities that often have a low correlation to volatility in traditional markets.

Yale’s fund has access to top-tier fund managers, but by adopting investment principles in relation to alternatives, individual investors can design their own portfolios so that they have the potential to achieve similar risk-adjusted returns. This strategy has paid off for the endowment, particularly when traditional equity and bond markets experience economic fluctuations.

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While one may invest in alternatives in many ways, an often-overlooked strategy is investing your tax-advantaged retirement savings. This can be done through an investment vehicle known as self-directed IRAs, or SDIRAs. These accounts aren’t distinct IRA types, but rather, “self-directed” refers to the account’s management style, in which investors or advisers take on management duties.

Traditional IRAs or Roth IRAs can be self-directed, but the main difference is that with SDIRAs, people can invest in alternative assets. Alternative assets may help reduce exposure to market volatility, as many have low correlations with public markets, and may be more suited for long-term strategies since many of these assets are less liquid.

Specifically, SDIRAs can hold alternative assets like private equity, hedge funds, commodities and marketplace loans, but real estate has historically been one of the most popular investments. Although there are restrictions on using a real estate property held in a SDIRA for personal use, you can invest in any type of property assets, including rental properties, land and commercial properties.

Access to alternative markets

Historically, many alternative assets required an accredited investor, an investor with a special status under financial regulation laws. However, we have seen many types of alternative investments that do not require an accredited investor. Today, many alternative investments are more broadly accessible. So, for example, if someone wants to put a $5,000 investment into alternatives, they have many options to choose from.

However, the opportunity for greater diversification comes with greater responsibility, as the investor does need to manage SDIRAs themselves. If managed prudently, this vehicle also offers the opportunity for greater returns, due to the wider variety of investment options, especially if you have expertise with a specific asset type.

Everyday investors frequently know the market better in the region in which they live, so whether it's real estate or an opportunity for a new restaurant, if they’re familiar with that particular space, they’re likely more comfortable allocating some of their retirement capital to that investment.

2024 outlook

Nearly half of all Americans are at risk of a financially insecure retirement, up from one-third in 1983, according to a 2024 Senate committee report. And, as BlackRock CEO Larry Fink emphasized in his 2024 letter to investors: Longer lifespans mean Americans need to save more money to live on throughout their sunset years. SDIRAs offer Americans a great opportunity to put their retirement savings to work beyond the standard target date funds that many 401(k)s favor.

It is critical, though, to consult a qualified financial adviser. SDIRAs offer the opportunity for individual investors to correlate their investments with their risk appetite. However, every investment has its complexities. For example, some alternative assets have low liquidity, meaning it can be difficult to access them or sell them quickly — if at all — without a loss in value.

Also, the IRS has strict rules about SDIRA-prohibited transactions, which are aimed at preventing direct personal benefits to the account holder or other disqualified people, such as family members. (For example, using an SDIRA to invest in a business that is owned by the investor’s spouse.) Prohibited transactions can result in tax penalties or losing the account’s tax-advantaged status altogether.

SDIRAs can open the door to a wide range of alternative assets with a return pattern that can potentially benefit the end investor. Ultimately, better access to these investments, which have proven successful for endowments like the Yale fund, gives investors another viable avenue to help grow their retirement savings and improve their overall financial wellness.

Disclaimer

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.

As head of self-directed accounts at Inspira Financial, a leading provider of health, wealth, retirement and benefits solutions, Jason leads strategic client relationships and helps expand Inspira's custody service solutions. With more than 8 million clients holding over $62 billion in assets under custody, Inspira works with thousands of employers, plan sponsors, recordkeepers, TPAs and other institutional partners — helping the people they care about plan, save and invest for a brighter future.