Self-Directed Retirement Options Fee Comparison
Mar 18, 2025
Below is a table comparing the fees for the self-directed retirement account options, including Solo 401k by Nabers Group, Madison Trust, DirectedIRA, TrustETC (Equity Trust Company), and IRAR, with a focus on their Solo 401k offerings where applicable. The data reflects typical fee structures as of March 18, 2025, based on available information from their websites and industry norms. Fees can vary depending on account specifics, asset types, and additional services, so it’s wise to verify with each provider for the latest details.
|
Provider |
Setup Fee |
Annual / Maintenance Fee |
Transaction Fees |
Additional Fees |
Website |
|
Solo 401k by Nabers |
$499 (one-time, |
$199/year (record keeping & support); |
None (self-directed, you manage transactions) |
Loan setup: $199; Rollover assistance: |
|
|
Madison Trust |
$50 (one-time) |
$110/quarter ($440/year) for first asset; |
$50-$150 per transaction (e.g., real estate: $150) |
Wire fee: $30; Check fee: $10; |
|
|
DirectedIRA |
$50 (one-time) |
$399/year (Solo 401k flat fee) |
$50-$95 per transaction (e.g., asset purchase/sale) |
Wire fee: $35; Overnight check: $35; |
|
|
TrustETC (Equity Trust) |
$50 (one-time) |
$399-$1,200/year (Solo 401k; based on |
$75-$250 per transaction (varies by asset) |
Wire fee: $40; Bill pay: $10; |
|
|
IRAR |
$0-$50 |
$360/year (Solo 401k flat fee) |
$25-$150 per transaction (e.g., real estate: $150) |
Wire fee: $30; Overnight mail: $25; |
Notes:
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Solo 401k by Nabers: Offers checkbook control, eliminating transaction fees. Higher setup cost but lowest annual fee. Ideal for hands-on investors managing their own Solo 401k.
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Madison Trust: Quarterly fees scale with assets; not Solo 401k-specific but applies to self-directed accounts. Best for smaller, multi-asset portfolios.
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DirectedIRA: Flat Solo 401k fee is competitive; moderate transaction costs. Good for moderate-sized accounts with custodial support.
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TrustETC (Equity Trust): Fees rise with account value, making it pricier for larger Solo 401k balances. Robust tools but higher transaction fees.
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IRAR: Low setup with promotions; flat Solo 401k fee is affordable for simpler setups. Competitive for fewer transactions.
Detailed Breakdown:
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Solo 401k by Nabers Group:
-
Setup Fee: $499 one-time fee includes IRS-approved plan documents, EIN, and trust setup.
-
Annual Fee: $199/year covers ongoing recordkeeping, tax filing support (e.g., Form 5500-EZ if required), and customer service. An optional $99/year compliance package adds proactive IRS updates.
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Transaction Fees: None, as you act as your own trustee with checkbook control, managing investments directly (e.g., via bank accounts or crypto exchanges).
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Additional Fees: $199 for setting up a Solo 401k loan (up to $50,000 or 50% of account value). No fees for wires or checks since you handle them yourself.
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Notes: Lowest ongoing cost for hands-on investors; no custodial fees since you’re the trustee.
-
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Madison Trust:
-
Setup Fee: $50 one-time fee for account opening.
-
Annual Fee: $440/year ($110/quarter) for the first asset, with $30/quarter per additional asset. Not specific to Solo 401k but applies to their self-directed offerings.
-
Transaction Fees: $50-$150 depending on asset type (e.g., real estate transactions are higher).
-
Additional Fees: $30/wire, $10/check; LLC setup fees vary.
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Notes: Quarterly billing may suit smaller accounts but scales with multiple assets.
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DirectedIRA:
-
Setup Fee: $50 one-time fee.
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Annual Fee: $399/year flat fee for Solo 401k accounts, covering custody and administration.
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Transaction Fees: $50-$95 per transaction (e.g., buying/selling assets).
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Additional Fees: $35/wire, $35/overnight check; extra fees for crypto or complex assets.
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Notes: Competitive flat fee for Solo 401k; good for moderate-sized accounts.
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TrustETC (Equity Trust):
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Setup Fee: $50 one-time fee.
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Annual Fee: $399-$1,200/year for Solo 401k, tiered by account value ($399 for < $50k, scales up to $1,200 for $500k+).
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Transaction Fees: $75-$250 per transaction, higher for alternative assets like real estate.
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Additional Fees: $40/wire, $10/bill pay; $100+/year for precious metals storage.
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Notes: Costlier for larger accounts; robust tools but higher transaction fees.
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IRAR:
-
Setup Fee: $0-$50 (often waived during promotions).
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Annual Fee: $360/year flat fee for Solo 401k accounts.
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Transaction Fees: $25-$150 per transaction (e.g., real estate: $150).
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Additional Fees: $30/wire, $25/overnight mail; extra costs for specialty assets.
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Notes: Affordable flat fee; good for simpler Solo 401k setups.
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Key Observations:
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Lowest Setup Cost: IRAR ($0-$50) and Madison Trust/DirectedIRA/TrustETC ($50) are cheaper upfront than Nabers ($499).
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Lowest Annual Cost: Nabers Group ($199/year) beats others for ongoing fees, especially if you avoid optional add-ons.
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Transaction Fees: Nabers eliminates these entirely with self-directed control, while others charge $25-$250 per move.
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Best for Hands-On Investors: Nabers, with its checkbook control, minimizes fees for active management.
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Best for Larger Accounts: DirectedIRA and IRAR’s flat fees ($399 and $360) are more predictable than TrustETC’s value-based scale or Madison’s per-asset model.
