Yesterday Forbes online newsletter focused on the success of iPhone 4. The night before, hundreds of people camped out all night in front of the Apple store on Fifth Avenue in New York City to get their hands on Apple’s latest creation: the iPhone 4. Everyone needs to have the latest and coolest handheld smart phones, packed with more features and more memory than an entire desktop computer system did less than five years ago.
The question is: How are these phones contributing to our financial success?
Well, I’m sure some people are definitely getting rich with all of these expensive iPhones, BlackBerrys, Droids, and other smart phones flying off the shelves. And don’t even mention the people who have invested in their stocks. A month ago, The Nielson Company reported that smart phones are convincing more and more consumers to make the leap from a simple mobile phone to a more sophisticated device. The statistics are impressive.
As a self-directed IRA investor, these smart phones can be a powerful tool. You can access information anywhere and at any time. At Entrust, we see the importance of being able to provide investors with “smart” mobile IRA information. That’s why we just launched our latest creation: the Entrust IRA app. Entrust is the only self-directed IRA administrator that provides a mobile app to help investors make informed investment choices. The app features RMD calculators, prohibited transaction information, Roth vs. Traditional IRA investments, account log in, and much more.
If you are an on-the-go smart phone investor, you should check out our app. It is a handy tool that can contribute to the choices you make when striving for financial success. 
Yvonne Garcia, Special Projects Administrator
Entrust IRA for iPhone and iPad includes features that allow users to log in to their Entrust account, get the latest updates on industry news and asset-building strategies, and learn about different types of investments allowed in a self-directed retirement plan. There’s even a handy feature devoted to prohibited transactions, per IRS code. With the app, users can determine Required Minimum Distributions based on IRS guidelines, and compare Roth and traditional IRAs, with Entrust’s practical calculators.
“This new app has the features investors need to keep up with the pace of today’s world,” says Hugh Bromma, CEO of Entrust. “It gives our customers complete access to their Entrust self-directed retirement plan, and offers them tools to make an informed decision, all in a convenient mobile format.”
For more information, go to: http://www.entrustcalifornia.com/entrust-ira-app
Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Dierdorff
(510) 587-1950 x233
adierdorff@theentrustgroup.com
BORROWERS SEEK PRIVATE LENDING AS TRADITIONAL FINANCING IS LESS AVAILABLE; ENTRUST PRESENTS CREATIVE LENDING & FINANCING WORKSHOP
Oakland, Calif., April 6, 2010 — Entrust Administration, Inc., the premier provider of account administration services for self-directed retirement plans, is hosting a wealth-building workshop May 21. “Creative Lending and Financing with Your IRA,” includes presentations by four leading industry experts and seasoned investors, who will share strategies for using a self-directed IRA for private lending, and discuss what investors need to know about today’s market. This exclusive event, taking place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, near SFO in Burlingame, Calif. will teach attendees how to boost their IRA, perform due diligence as the most critical stage in the buying process, and other crucial seller-financing tips.
Speaker Hubert Bromma is the CEO of Entrust, and is an expert in self-directed retirement plans. “Borrowers are seeking private lending in today’s market,” says Bromma. “Many clients have found that using capital from a self-directed IRA can be simpler and faster than the loan process with conventional financing.” Bromma has had a distinguished career in banking, M&As and real estate. He is a frequent guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, and MarketWatch; and has been a contributor to The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and other professional publications.
Also presenting is W. Eddie Speed, president of the Colonial Fund Group, LLC; founder of NoteSchool™ and author of “Streetwise Seller Financing.” Speed is a nationally recognized expert on seller-financed notes and note valuation. Joining them is Michael T. Morrongiello, private lending specialist and active investor with extensive experience in real estate and real estate paper investments. Additionally, Reggie Lal, creator of the “Be The Smart Investor” real estate and education firm, will present. Lal is an active investor, wealth building coach, speaker, and author with extensive experience real estate.
Entrust Administration, Inc. has been an acknowledged authority in the field of self-directed retirement accounts for more than 28 years. Entrust is committed to the goal of financial independence, especially during retirement. They are the leader in self-directed plans, custodial services, and educational curriculum to build wealth with investments that clients know, understand and control.
Seating is limited, and prices go up May 8. To register for this event or for more information about investor workshops, please visit www.entrustcalifornia.com/investor-workshop/
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Dierdorff
(510) 587-0950 x233
ADierdorff@TheEntrustGroup.com
HAVING TROUBLE FINANCING YOUR DEALS? LEARN HOW TO BE THE BANK WITH ENTRUST’S “CREATIVE LENDING AND FINANCING WITH YOUR IRA” WORKSHOP
Oakland, Calif., March 16, 2010 — Rescue your IRA by investing in assets you know, understand and can control. Learn how your IRA can be the bank with, “
Creative Lending and Financing with Your IRA,” a unique workshop from Entrust Administration, Inc., the premier provider of account administration services for self-directed retirement plans. This exclusive event, on May 21, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Burlingame, Calif., is designed for investors who want to accumulate wealth through creative financing and lending, using their retirement plan. Just a few of the valuable tips attendees will walk away with are:
• How to obtain capital from a self-directed IRA
• How to creatively increase yield or rate of return
• The ultimate alternative financing solution today—seller financing
• How to combine your IRA with other people’s IRA (OPI), and how to combine OPI with other people’s money (OPM)
The event features presentations by four leading industry experts, including Hubert Bromma, CEO of Entrust and expert in self-directed retirement plans. “Borrowers are seeking private lending in today’s market,” says Bromma. “Using capital from a self-directed IRA can be much simpler and faster than the loan process with institutional lenders.” Bromma has had a distinguished career in banking, M&As and real estate. He is a frequent guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, and MarketWatch; and has been a contributor to The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and other professional publications.
Also presenting is W. Eddie Speed, president of the Colonial Fund Group, LLC; founder of NoteSchool™ and author of “Streetwise Seller Financing.” Speed is a nationally recognized expert on seller-financed notes. Joining them is Michael T. Morrongiello, a private lending specialist and active investor with extensive experience in real estate and real estate paper investments. Additionally, Reggie Lal, creator of the “Be The Smart Investor” real estate and education firm, will present. Lal is an active investor, wealth building coach, speaker, and author with a myriad of experience in his real estate portfolio.
For more than 28 years, Entrust Administration, Inc. has been an acknowledged authority in the field of self-directed retirement accounts. Entrust is committed to the goal of financial independence, especially during retirement. They are the leader in self-directed plans, custodial services, and educational curriculum to build wealth with investments that clients know, understand and control.
To register for this event or for more information about investor workshops, please visit
http://www.entrustcalifornia.com/investor-workshop/###
Emily is a professional woman with an active business and is a very busy person. So busy in fact, she depends on her financial advisor to invest her hard-earned retirement savings with the hopes of compound wealth with safe, secure investments. Emily is lucky. So far, she has not lost a dime through her financial advisor.
However, not everyone is so lucky. Just last week, on the front page of the Courier Post, a newspaper published in New Jersey, (February 21, 2010) a story appeared about a recently-deceased financial planner, who had clients that are now missing money. The amount is currently at $5 million, and growing. Where did the money go? So far, there are about 20 clients involved and that number continues to expand. All of them, like us, could not afford to lose the money.
A pillar of society, this advisor put many of these people in Certificates of Deposit (CD) that were fraudulent. How do I know this? My mother was one of those people. It has now turned into a class action suit and a potential criminal investigation. Certainly, the claimants will not be receiving 100% return on principal. Additionally, it has cost them even more money to retain attorneys.
Why do I tell this story in an IRA publication? Because, all of us have the potential for a parent, child, friend, or others we know to fall prey to bad people. This is not to say every financial planner is bad, actually the majority are good.
Would these people involved in the lawsuit have been better off investing their retirement plans themselves? Though Emily has had success, she is allowing other people to vote on her money. With a
self-directed IRA or
Individual (k), people have the ability to “drive their own bus” to wealth. Yes, this takes work. Perhaps the perception is that since we as customers are not experts in whatever assets we consider for our retirement plan, we think we need a professional to guide us. In many cases that is true.
But, would we be better off having some accountability and control for investment decisions that are made? What is the worst that could happen? With
education and initiative, could we do a better job ourselves? With
Entrust as your self-directed IRA administrator, you have the ability to educate yourself on how self-directing works, the different types of assets that are available, and how to do this yourself with your IRA.
Paralysis is not a good thing. Sometimes, we need to be in control. Though my mother is over the age of making contributions in her IRA, she is learning how to control what she has and not allow others to vote on her money. We are now looking at real estate together, me for my IRA, and her for cash flow.
When you have a goal, can create a road map, are open to learning how to take care of yourself, and learn how to know and understand what you are investing in, you have a better chance to grow your wealth. Or, you can let others do this for you. The choice, of course, is yours!
By Lisa Bromma, Marketing Advisor for The Entrust Group
The real estate entrepreneur is unique when it comes to estate planning. Few professionals know how to structure assets for optimal transfer to heirs or seek to determine exactly what would be best for heirs. The purpose of estate planning is to preserve as much of your wealth as possible for the intended beneficiaries. Your first thought, rightly so, is to minimize state and federal estate taxes. But there is also probate, attorney, and accountant expenses, among other issues that need consideration. And do your heirs have the ability to deal with the real property? Would it be better to leave them cash or an annuity instead?
Wills and trusts are two basic instruments used in estate planning. However, they have different purposes and can lead to very different outcomes. Wills must be “probated” by a court. This simply means that the court reviews the will to assure the assets go to those intended to get them. If there is no will, the state has a plan of its own that you probably won’t like.
A will can be challenged, which can lead to a lengthy and costly legal battle. Contested wills often can drain the majority of an estate in legal and other costs before settled. The trust is often touted as a substitute for a will to avoid probate. However, it is smart to use both a trust and a will. Since the trust exists and is operated by you during your life, its terms for distribution to heirs avoid the risk of a long, drawn out and expensive legal battle in most cases. The trust also provides for incapacity should you be laid up in the hospital even before your death. In that case, a co-trustee, such as your spouse, simple takes over and continues to operate the trust. No legal wrangles getting guardianship or issues over a durable power of attorney. Other common documents you should have are a Living Will and a Healthcare Power of Attorney.
To help reduce the size of your estate, you might also consider annual and lifetime gifts while you are alive. Charitable gift contributions in some cases can take advantage of immediate tax savings as well as future tax savings. One approach if your heirs have no interest in dealing with real estate is to form a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT). You can remain trustee on this trust during your lifetime.
Appreciated property can be contributed to the CRT, providing you with an immediate tax deduction based on the appreciated value. The amount of tax saved can be used to purchase a single-pay life insurance policy to pay your heirs after you pass away. The amount of the insurance can often approach the projected value of the property. During your lifetime, property can be bought or sold in the CRT and the transactions are not taxable. In addition, you also receive an annual distribution from the CRT, often in the 5% range.
As a real estate investor, you should consider these issues and strategies as well as others. Other strategies that can be used are the Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust, the Pre-Inheritance Trust, Family Limited Partnership, and Family Limited Liability Company. These strategies and others can be very beneficial for the real estate investor in estate planning when properly used.
If you want to learn about these topics and others, attend the 16th Annual Advanced Strategies Conference, this year featuring Estate Planning for Real Estate Investors, January 30 & 31, 2010. More information can be found at www.Assets101.com.
By Dyches Boddiford, www.Assets101.com
General information referenced from the Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publications, and Entrust Administration, Inc. (EAI) procedural requirements and updates.
From Entrust Compliance Corner
Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) – Internal Revenue Service.
Note: Although the Required Minimum Distributions have been waived for the year 2009, a temporary waiver has not been extended for the year 2010. However, a proposal for an extension has been submitted through legislation but has not been approved thus far (Savings Recovery Act 2009, H.R. 2021 & Retirement Account Distribution Improvement Act 2009). The approval or rejection of these bills introduced in congress will be monitored in order to properly inform account holders.
In addition, the temporary waiver of the 2009 RMD applies to distributions that are required to be removed by April 1, 2010 for individuals who reached 70 ½ in 2009. Nevertheless, 2010 RMD’s are required by December 31, 2010 unless otherwise indicated by the IRS.
- If an RMD is required from your IRA, the trustee, custodian, or issuer that held the IRA at the end of the preceding year must either report the amount of the RMD to you, or offer to calculate it for you. The report or offer must include the date by which the amount must be distributed. The report is due January 31 of the year in which the minimum distribution is required. It can be provided with the year-end fair market value statement that you normally get each year. No report is required for section 403(b) contracts (generally tax-sheltered annuities) or for IRAs of owners who have died.
- You are not required to take an RMD for 2009.
Procedure: How E.A.I adheres to IRS requirements for RMD reporting.
Year-end statements providing a description of assets and the accounts total value, 1099Rs reporting retirement distributions, and RMD letters reminding account holders who have reached age 70 ½ to take their required minimum distributions by year end and offering to provide information to assist in calculating RMDs are mailed to account holders by January 31 of each year.
By Derek Lewis, Compliance Officer
The rags-to-riches story of Luis Garg: builder, investor, wealth coach and Entrust client.
His mother didn't like it at all. The oldest of her six children wasn't content with being poor and humble. Luis was definitely not going to go to Heaven with this kind of an attitude.
"Mama, quiero ir a los Estados Unidos para ser rico," he was saying. "My son, what nonsense!" she interrupted. "You can't even speak English! How can you even think of going there, and besides, getting rich will take you straight to the Devil!" she exclaimed vehemently, and then added, "Leaving your Mama, and all of your brothers and sisters...nothing good will come of this!"
But 23-year old Luis was determined. He had already packed all of his belongings into his VW bug, fixed himself some tacos for the three-day drive, and borrowed a map showing him how to get from Mexico City to Los Angeles.
Luis had a goal: to get an MBA in the USA. There were just a few obstacles to be overcome. He needed to learn English, he needed a scholarship, and he needed a university to accept him, which the elite schools had refused to do, so far. UCLA was willing to take him under the two conditions: he had to learn English, and he had to pay his own tuition and room and board.
Having arrived in L.A., no one would give Luis a real job, so he started as a valet parker at the Trader Vic’s restaurant in the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel. No salary, but he got to have dinner in the fancy restaurant after it closed. He was one of several valet parkers, and they would generally get about $1 per car.
Studying English during the day and working at night, he was making progress. But making just $10 or $20 per day was not enough to pay living expenses, send money home to Mexico, and afford the tuition for UCLA's MBA program. Then he noticed something. Once in a while he would catch the name of a restaurant patron in conversation with someone. When the guest came to ask for his car, and Luis addressed him or her by name, the tip would be $2 instead of $1. Luis quickly realized the importance of this fact.
He started a system to learn the name and car owned by every guest whose car he had the opportunity to park. He created a table in a little notebook that he carried in his pocket while at work. When he would first receive the car, he would check the glove compartment for the car insurance papers and write down the name of the owner in his table. Then he would add a description of the person and a description of their car. Whenever he had a free moment during the day, he would study his table and memorize the entries.
After a while, every guest who came out of the restaurant to have his car delivered would be greeted by Luis in a friendly, enthusiastic tone: "Oh yes, Mr. Watson! I'll have your gorgeous silver Mercedes out for you in just a minute!" After a few weeks of implementing the system, Luis started receiving tips of $5s, $10s, and $20s regularly, especially from return restaurant clients who enjoyed his personal service every time.
But it got better than that!
Guests who remembered him would start insisting on having him park or return their cars, choosing to wait for him rather than use one of the other available valets. On some days, there would be a long line of cars waiting for Luis at the restaurant entrance, while the other valets stood there idle!
Luis was happy, now making over $4,000 a month parking gorgeous, fancy cars and having luxurious dinners every night. Having learned English in several months of daily study, he now also started UCLA's MBA program. But the other valets were not happy. Although they had some idea of how much more money he was making, they were definitely making less than they had before! At some point, they complained to him. "We don't like this at all Luis. You are monopolizing the customers. This is not fair!"
Luis was creative, and he had an idea. He created another system.
"Listen, amigos. I have a proposal. I won't park cars any more. I will just speak to the guests as a kind of valet parking host and have you guys do the parking. I'll collect the tips and pay you $2 per car." The other valets were stunned: "Wow! That sounds great! We're in!" They got busy again, making twice what they had before. But Luis was the best off. He could take care of guests twice as fast now. While he made less money per car, he could now make more than $20 in the time he had previously made $5.
With almost $8,000 per month in income back in 1972, trading the VW for his first Porsche (used) and a year of UCLA under his belt, he was a very happy camper!
To his surprise, at around this time, his family in Mexico received a letter from Harvard in the mail, inviting him to join the MBA program because they needed to cover their minority quotas, but telling him that no scholarship would be available. Luis smiled. He didn't need a scholarship any more, did he?
After graduating from Harvard, Luis continued his fascinating journey of building systems in every aspect of his work. Every system created more wealth. And his mom, dad, siblings, and later, his nephews and nieces all got to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He takes the whole extended family on a Caribbean cruise once a year —all expenses paid!
Luis Garg is the presenter of our
November 19th webinar. If you'd like to learn from him and be entertained by his fascinating life stories in the process, sign up for the webinar now!
By Anushka Drescher, Your KaChing Marketing
Wishes of financial freedom. Many of us in our 50's and 60's looked forward to those lazy crazy hazy days of summer and song. To the golden parachute of a pension that will carry us well into our old age.
Unfortunately, things did not necessarily turn out as we planned. We have had to get a reality check. Not only do we need to recalibrate our thoughts of what we will do in retirement we have to get creative in order to grow that nest egg into something that will last.
I don't know about you, but I sure don't want to have my eyes clued to CNN or CNBC worrying about what the market did today or where my next dollar is coming from. All of us have a responsibility to ourselves to plan for income, cash flow, taxes, which let's face it will only get higher, and for appreciation or growth as a hedge against inflation when it comes.
If you agree with me read on.....
One way to do this is by investing in hard assets. Many of us have used our personal savings to invest in the market, but did you know you can use your IRA or 401 (k) plan to invest in great assets with the opportunity to achieve your desired financial goals?
With a self-directed retirement account you have the ability to invest in your own backyard, or in investments you believe in, understand and want to have in your portfolio. Many of those investments like real estate, gold, foreign currencies, along with the traditional investments you may already have are allowed in an IRA or 401 (k) plan.
What is self-direction? One thing it is not is investing through a major brokerage house or mutual fund company that says you are self-directing. You may think you are but what is happening is you are self-directing into their families of funds for example. You don't get to choose!
Truly self-direction is one where you identify the investment. You work with an administrator who specializes in self-directed accounts and is an expert processing and facilitating your transaction on behalf of your plan. The income from the investment that you select, goes back into your IRA. Any profit from the sale of that investment comes back into your IRA on a tax deferred or tax free basis (depending on whether the account is a traditional or a ROTH IRA or individual (k)) helping to solve the tax issue of growth that you would not necessarily have with personal funds.
This may sound complicated to some of you but it is not. Think of your IRA as another identity. One you cannot tap into until you reach the ripe retirement age that allows you the access to your cash penalty free and just in time to meet those retirement objectives.
There is so much negative news and uncertainty. Investing in assets that can create cash flow or in some cases assets that bring you security and peace of mind makes sense as part of a financial strategy.
To take the mystery and mystique out of understanding how truly self-direction in an IRA works talk to Entrust. Entrust Administration is California's choice for self directed IRA administration. With several offices throughout California and close to 30 years experience, our staff has been thoroughly trained to assist in you in this process. With continuing education both online and live instruction, now you can take advantage of the leader in self-directed plans.
Make it your personal goal to help yourself by utilizing tax enhanced tools to compound wealth. Recalibrating your retirement both in time and dollars gives you the satisfaction of saying "I am in control. I get to choose where and how to invest my hard earned dollars today for the financial freedom of tomorrow!"
by Lisa Bromma, Consultant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Entrust Administration, Inc. Launches New Educational Website for IRA Investors
Oakland, CA., April 6, 2009 -Entrust Administration Inc., the leader in custodial services for self-directed retirement accounts has launched a new educational website for IRA investors. Investors wishing to diversify their retirement plans into alternative assets can get all the education and tools they need at this new website www.entrustcalifornia.com
"With the uncertainty in today's economy we decided to give investors more tools to take control of their retirement dollars. This new website is a vital resource for education and information," explains marketing consultant Lisa Bromma. "The website addresses the specific needs of those investors that wish to learn how to self-direct their retirement plans."
The Entrust California website is designed to provide a full range of services, education and information tailored for each of the seven Entrust offices in California. Investors can easily search for local educational events, CPE workshops for professionals or webinars. Investors will be able to sign up for free reports, e-newsletters or open a new account.
The new website will also provide a very important feature, the ability to view past webinars and learn from industry experts educating the investor on specific transactions. Entrust is focused on providing investors the educational tools needed to build wealth through self-directed retirement plans.
About Entrust Administration, Inc. Entrust Administration, Inc. is the premier provider of account administration services for self-directed retirement plans. For more than 27 years, Entrust has been an acknowledged authority in the field of self-directed retirement accounts. Entrust is committed to the classic American goal of financial independence, especially during retirement. As securing retirement becomes increasingly challenging, some investors want to learn about and take advantage of a wider range of investment opportunities to attain their goals. We are the leaders in self-directed plans, custodial services, and educational curriculum to build wealth with investments that clients know, understand and control.
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For more information, contact:
Yvonne Garcia, Business Development Coordinator
800-392-9653 x 246
YGarcia@TheEntrustGroup.com.
www.TheEntrustGroup.com/oakland
http://www.entrustcalifornia.com/