Fees with Self-Directed IRAs: A Transparent Breakdown

Money matters more when you understand where it’s going, and that includes the fees tied to your retirement accounts. And while a lot of investors switch to Self-Directed IRAs because they want more power and control, it’s also important to consider what that looks like. Will there be more fees? Is it more expensive as you choose from a greater amount of asset classes with a Self-Directed IRA? Let’s be transparent and break down how it works—including how it works here at American IRA.

Why Understanding Self Directed IRA Fees Matters

Fees can feel like a small detail until they start affecting your long-term results. With retirement accounts, even a minor difference can add up over the years. Self-Directed IRAs bring more control and more investment possibilities, but that also means it helps to understand how the fee structure works. When you know what you’re paying for, you can move forward with confidence and make choices that line up with your goals.  

Self-Directed IRAs work differently from the brokerage model many investors are used to. You are gaining access to alternative assets, and those assets often require paperwork, reporting, and administrative support. That is part of the reason custodians have their own fee structures. These fees are not barriers. They are simply part of how the account is maintained. Once you see how they work, the entire process becomes much easier to handle.

The Fee Differences Between Providers

Not all Self-Directed IRA providers charge the same way. Some custodians use a per-asset fee model where you pay more as you add more investments. Others link their fees to account value, creating a setup that feels closer to an advisor relationship.

These approaches are common in the Self-Directed IRA world, true. But they can also become expensive for investors who want to build a diverse portfolio or maybe hold higher value assets. The costs can grow quickly, after all. And that may limit what you feel comfortable doing inside the account.

That’s why it helps to compare the larger picture rather than just looking at the first year. A fee structure that seems simple at the start may not stay simple over time. You’ll want to avoid hidden fees.

Also, an investor who wants to hold several rental properties might face a different cost than someone who only holds a single investment. Someone with a growing account balance might see their fees rise even if they never change their strategy. Thinking about these long-term patterns helps you understand which model supports growth and which one might work against it. It’s your strategy, after all—put some thought into how it’s going to work.

How American IRA Keeps Fees Straightforward

Some investors worry that a Self-Directed IRA will cost more as their account grows, but that isn’t how it works at American IRA. There are a few reasons for that:

A Self-Directed IRA should feel empowering rather than overwhelming. When you understand the fee structure and know everything is transparent, it becomes easier to trust the process and move forward. Interested in learning more about Self-Directed IRAs?  Contact us at 866-7500-IRA (472) for a free consultation or download our free guide.