Getting Started with Self-Directed IRAs

Get Support with a Self-Directed IRA Custodian

Alternative investments can add complexity to your IRA, with the potential for additional administrative, tax, or legal requirements. Often IRA owners engage a financial advisor to help them evaluate investment opportunities, risks, and costs.

Many self-directed IRA owners find it beneficial to consult with tax or legal advisors to navigate the tax rules and avoid prohibited transactions. It is also important to work with a custodian that has proven expertise in administering self-directed IRAs.

At Mainstar Trust, you’ll get the support you need while keeping control over your investments.

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Open a Self-Directed IRA with Mainstar Trust

Mainstar Trust is a custodian for many alternative investment options for individuals seeking self-directed IRAs. Ready to open a self-directed IRA? Find out how to open a self-directed IRA below, or contact a Mainstar Trust representative to discuss your options.

Choosing the Right IRA Custodian

Choosing the Right IRA Custodian

Your journey, your goals, your future.

When it comes to choosing the right IRA custodian, it’s important to weigh your options, identify your goals, and find the one that is committed to you and where you want to go in the future.

You want an IRA custodian that:

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Has longevity and experience in providing custodial services

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Prioritizes you and your financial goals, investments, and retirement objectives

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Offers dynamic services and adaptable solutions to meet your individual needs

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Is accessible and ready to help you navigate your financial journey

At Mainstar Trust, we believe that when you take control of your long term savings objectives, you take control of the future you long to have; we help IRA owners do just that.

Sometimes, one of the hardest parts about diversifying your investments is knowing where to start. With our custodial services, you have more control over your financial future, while having the knowledge and support to help you navigate along the way.

Learn more about our services and see if Mainstar is the right IRA custodian for you today!

Your time is valuable. It only takes three simple steps to open a self-directed IRA with Mainstar Trust and get started on the next step in your retirement savings journey.

4 Easy Steps To Open Your Self-Directed IRA

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Step One: Open the Account

THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO COMPLETE THE IRA APPLICATION.

  • Printed form: Go to the Forms page, choose the applicable account type and then open IRA Application and Agreement. Complete/print the forms to send to Mainstar.
  • Online application: Go to the Forms page, choose the applicable account type and then click the icon for a New Account setup to complete the application online
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Step Two: Fund the Account

IF YOUR NEW MAINSTAR IRA WILL BE FUNDED THROUGH A TRANSFER FROM ANOTHER IRA:

  • Complete the Transfer/Direct Rollover form found here. Mainstar Trust will send this form to your current custodian to begin the transfer of money or assets to your Mainstar Trust IRA.
  • Make sure to include a copy of a recent statement from your current custodian.

IF YOUR NEW MAINSTAR IRA WILL BE FUNDED THROUGH A ROLLOVER FROM A RETIREMENT PLAN:

  • Complete the Transfer/Direct Rollover form found here. Mainstar Trust will send this form to your current plan administrator to begin the rollover process to your Mainstar Trust IRA.
  • Contact your employer or current retirement plan administrator to see if the plan requires its own forms to be used to complete the Rollover.

IF YOUR NEW MAINSTAR IRA WILL BE FUNDED THROUGH NEW CONTRIBUTIONS:

  • Complete the contribution section on the application and write the contribution year on the check sent to Mainstar.
  • Personal checks may take 5 business days from the date of deposit to clear your bank.
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Step Three: Select Investment/Make Purchase

  • Purchase paperwork does not have to be included with the account opening or transfer/rollover documents. However, many accountholders submit all of the paperwork when opening the account to expedite the purchase process.
  • Complete the Issuer Subscription documents, if required by the issuer/asset company. Mainstar Trust will fill out the registration section and sign the subscription documents prior to submitting the final purchase.
  • Complete the Mainstar Trust Purchase Authorization found here.

If you are not ready to make an investment when you open your Mainstar Trust account, you can submit purchase documentation at any time.

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Step Four: Send Documents to Mainstar Trust

  • Be sure all forms are signed where/if required!
  • Documents can be delivered to Mainstar by one of the following:
    • Mail to Mainstar Trust, 214 W. 9th St, Onaga, KS 66521
    • Upload via our Secure Upload Form
    • Fax to 913-901-4190

Accountholder FYI

Investment Review

Mainstar Trust encourages you to review all investment products for appropriateness with your financial advisor, accountant or legal counsel. Mainstar Trust is a self-directed IRA Custodian and does not provide investment, tax or legal advice. By providing custody services, Mainstar Trust is not making any judgment as to the quality or suitability of any investment.

Account Funding Process Between Mainstar and Previous Custodian/Administrator

Once Mainstar Trust has received all of the documentation in good order, we will work with your current custodian/administrator to move the monies and/or assets to Mainstar Trust

  • Custodian to custodian transfers typically take 1-3 weeks to complete.
  • Rollovers from a qualified plan typically take 2-4 weeks based upon employer requirements.
7 Day Revocation

Please note: Per the IRS, an IRA accountholder may revoke an IRA within 7 days after the IRA is established. When the IRA accountholder chooses to revoke the IRA, the full amount contributed to the IRA must be returned to the accountholder. As a result of this rule, and due to the limited market for some investments, purchases cannot be fully executed until the 7-day period is up.

Accountholder Fees

Mainstar Trust does not charge a market value fee. Your fees do not go up as your account grows. Mainstar’s competitive fee structure is activity based. The Fee Disclosure can be found here.

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