Self-Directed IRA

Designed for investors seeking flexibility and higher potential returns, a Self-Directed IRA allows you to manage your retirement dollars just the way you want. With the assistance of an investment professional from Associated Investment Services, Inc. (AIS), you will be able to select from mutual funds, stocks, bonds and other investments to design a custom retirement plan that reflects your individual investment style and goals.

And we offer a broad range of options that can help you achieve your financial goals, some of which include the following:

		Traditional IRA
		Roth IRA
		SEP IRA
		Coverdell Education Savings Account
		Employee Benefit IRAs
		Rollover IRA

You can begin the application process for an Investment IRA online. The first step is to establish a brokerage account. Click here for our application. After we receive your application, we'll contact you to complete the process.

Traditional IRA
In a traditional IRA account, earnings accumulate tax-deferred and, depending upon your income and whether you have an additional employer benefits plan, contributions may also be tax-deductible. Annual contributions are limited to the lesser of $5,000 for tax year 2010 (if age 50 or older, the limit is $6,000 for tax year 2010) or 100% of earned income each year. In the year you turn 70 ˝, contributions are no longer allowed. Non-employed spouses, as long as one of the spouses has earned income and they file jointly, may make deductible contributions of up to $5,000 for tax year 2010 (if age 50 or older, the limit is $6,000 for tax year 2010) per year. Distributions from traditional IRAs must begin by April 1st following the year you reach age 70˝. When you take a distribution from a traditional IRA, you are required to pay ordinary income taxes on the investment earnings and on any deductible contribution amounts.

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Roth IRA
The Roth IRA is another type of tax-deferred retirement account. Contributions to a Roth IRA do not qualify for up-front tax deductions. If income criteria are met, a Roth IRA allows the earnings on your contributions to accumulate and be withdrawn tax-free once the account has been established for at least five years and you are at least 59˝ years old. You may also qualify for tax-free distribution for other reasons such as permanent disability or first-time home purchases (up to $10,000). Annual contributions are limited to the lesser of $5,000 for tax year 2010 (if age 50 or older, the limit is $6,000 for tax year 2010) or 100% of earned income each year. Non-employed spouses, as long as one of the spouses has earned income and they file jointly, may make contributions of up to $5,000 for tax year 2010 (if age 50 or older, the limit is $6,000 for tax year 2010) per year. You may continue to add to your Roth IRA after age 70˝ and there are no required minimum distributions.

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SEP IRA
Are you a business owner? You may have concerns about retirement plan options for both you and your employees. A SEP IRA is an essential and straightforward tool that may help reach retirement objectives. A SEP IRA Account is easy to establish and maintain…and it offers flexibility. Each year, the employer elects how much to contribute to the SEP IRA on behalf of eligible employees. Contributions range from 0% to 25% of compensation and are subject to an annual cap, and they are tax-deductible as a business expense. All SEP employer contributions go directly into a Traditional IRA in the employee's name, providing them with tax-deferred earnings and a variety of investment choices.

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Coverdell Education Savings Account
An Education Savings Account offers tax-free earning and withdrawals for qualified higher education expenses such as room and board, tuition and supplies. Anyone can contribute to an Education Savings Account for a child. A full $2,000 contribution per year can be made providing the contributor is single with income less than $95,000 or combined married income of less than $190,000. Contributions to an Education Savings Account are made with after-tax dollars and must conclude when the child reaches 18.

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Employee Benefit IRAs
If you are a business owner or self-employed, we can help you design an employee benefit plan that makes sense. We'll help you and your employees take advantage of tax-saving options with the right plan. Choose from SIMPLEs, SEPs, Profit Sharing or 401(k) plans - and we will tailor it to meet your needs.

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Rollover IRA
Are you thinking about leaving your job? Or do you have dollars in a former employer's retirement plan? You might also be a candidate for a Rollover IRA. A Rollover IRA is a tax-free way to move money from a qualified retirement plan into an Individual Retirement Account. There are two types of rollovers:

		Direct Rollover: Funds distributed from a plan are made payable directly to the financial institution that is the new custodian/trustee of your IRA. You have no direct control or custody of the funds during the transfer.
		Indirect Rollover: Funds are made payable directly to you, and you have 60 days to deposit the funds into an IRA as a rollover contribution. If you choose this option, please be aware that the employer will be required to withhold 20% Federal Income Tax before distributing the funds to you. The check you receive from your employer will be 80% of your plan balance.

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Bank deposit products are offered by Associated Bank, N.A. Associated Bank, N.A. is a Member FDIC and an affiliate of Associated Banc-Corp.