--- title: How to Move Qualified Funds to Maximize Your Retirement Strategy description: Have you had to let an exciting investment opportunity pass you by because your Self-Directed IRA account at Preferred Trust Company is currently short on liquid, investable qualified funds? image: https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/hubfs/PiggyBankTransfer%20IMG.webp --- [Skip to content](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/blog/move-qualified-funds-to-maximize-retirement-strategy#main-content) [![](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Horizontal%20Logo-HighRes%20JPG%20cropped-1.jpg?width=325&height=91&name=Horizontal%20Logo-HighRes%20JPG%20cropped-1.jpg)](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/) - Get Started Show submenu for Get Started - [Schedule Consultation](https://info.preferredtrustcompany.com/preferred-trust-company-consultation) - [Open an Account](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/self-directed-ira-applications/) - [About Preferred Trust](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/about-ira-custodian/) - [Client Testimonials](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/client-testimonials/) - SDIRA Resources Show submenu for SDIRA Resources - [Why Self-Direct?](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/why-self-directed-ira/) - [Inherited IRAs](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/inherited_iras/) - [Prohibited Transactions](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/prohibited_transactions/) - [IRA LLC](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/checkbook-ira-llc/) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/faqs/) - [Retirement Industry Glossary](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/retirement-industry-glossary/) - [Media](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/media/) - [Blog](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog) - Community Show submenu for Community - [Company Partnership](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/company-partnership/) - [Investment Resources](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/resources-new/) - [Investment Services](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/investment-services/) - Forms Show submenu for Forms - [Forms](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/forms/) - [Fee Schedule](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/fee-schedule/) - [Pay Your Fees](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/shop/) - [Login](https://icp.infovisa.com/0234) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Get Started Show submenu for Get Started - [Schedule Consultation](https://info.preferredtrustcompany.com/preferred-trust-company-consultation) - [Open an Account](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/self-directed-ira-applications/) - [About Preferred Trust](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/about-ira-custodian/) - [Client Testimonials](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/client-testimonials/) - SDIRA Resources Show submenu for SDIRA Resources - [Why Self-Direct?](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/why-self-directed-ira/) - [Inherited IRAs](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/inherited_iras/) - [Prohibited Transactions](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/prohibited_transactions/) - [IRA LLC](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/checkbook-ira-llc/) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/faqs/) - [Retirement Industry Glossary](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/retirement-industry-glossary/) - [Media](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/media/) - [Blog](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog) - Community Show submenu for Community - [Company Partnership](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/company-partnership/) - [Investment Resources](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/resources-new/) - [Investment Services](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/investment-services/) - Forms Show submenu for Forms - [Forms](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/forms/) - [Fee Schedule](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/fee-schedule/) - [Pay Your Fees](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/shop/) - [Login](https://icp.infovisa.com/0234) [All posts](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/all) October 7, 2026 # How to Move Qualified Funds to Maximize Your Retirement Strategy By  [Preferred Trust](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/author/preferred-trust)  ·  2 minute read Have you had to let an exciting investment opportunity pass you by because your Self-Directed IRA account at Preferred Trust Company is currently short on liquid, investable qualified funds? If making your annual contribution is not an option (i.e., you have maxed-out or don’t have the cash available) or not enough (i.e., Traditional/Roth 2023 contribution limit is $6,500; 2022 is $6,000), there is another method that might be at your disposal. #### What is an IRA-to-IRA transfer? If you are the owner of multiple, like-kind IRA accounts, you can engage in an IRA-to-IRA transfer of liquid qualified funds. This means that you can transfer qualified funds between two Traditional IRAs, two Roth IRAs, Two SIMPLE IRAs, and two SEP IRAs regardless of if the other IRA account is Self-Directed. This is a common practice used by IRA account owners to transfer qualified funds between their IRA accounts held at different institutions. Assets transferred directly between like-kind IRAs **do not have to be reported** to the IRS and typically do not experience tax consequences. #### How can this ability to transfer funds translate into a useful strategy? There are no IRS imposed limits on the amount of qualified funds that can be transferred, as well as no limit on the number of times a direct custodial transfer can occur on an annual basis. This allows clients to be nimble with their investments and diversify their portfolios with the changing markets. For example, if an investor is anticipating a stock market correction and decides to liquidate their current IRA holdings; however, they still want to keep their cash working for them. They may decide to do this by transferring those liquid, qualified funds to their Self-Directed IRA to invest in alternative assets that have the potential for capital preservation, such as gold or real estate. #### What are the steps to transfer liquid qualified funds? To learn more about how to avoid delays in transferring your IRA funds and assets between different institutions, [Click Here](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/hubfs/Whitepapers/PTC%20Transfer%20Guide%20Whitepaper%207.13.22.pdf) to read our Transfer Guide. ## FAQ Do I have to transfer the entire IRA account balance? You do not have to transfer the entire account balance to implement this strategy. Partial transfers are a common practice to deploy liquid qualified funds in different markets to maintain a diversified portfolio. Custodial fees to process the partial transfer may apply. What if I don’t have liquid qualified funds in my other IRA accounts? Depending on the type of assets within your IRA account, you potentially have the option to liquidate those assets. Liquidating the assets would make the funds available to transfer to another IRA account and invest in different assets. This is based wholly upon your own discretion as the IRA account owner. Will I receive tax documents for the IRA transfer? IRA-to-IRA transfers are not required to be reported to the IRS, which means you will not receive an IRS Form 1099-R or Form 5498 tracking the movement of the assets. Can I rollover funds from a 401k to an IRA? This depends on your employment status and the employer’s 401k plan policies. If the account is from a previous employer, then you can typically rollover your funds into another tax-deferred IRA account (i.e., a Traditional SD-IRA at Preferred Trust Company) without experiencing any tax consequences. Due to various IRS regulations to protect 401k savings from fraudulent activities, the receiving custodian has very little involvement in the transfer process. This means that it is the sole responsibility of the 401k account owner to initiate, monitor, and complete the rollover process. If the account is with a current employer, the employer’s 401k plan could completely restrict or limit the amount of funds that can be rolled out at any given time. It is the sole discretion and responsibility of the 401k account owner to confirm whether funds can be rolled out of the account. To learn more about why you should not leave your retirement savings behind in a previous employer’s 401k account, [Click Here](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/dont-leave-your-401k-savings-behind). Can I transfer assets from a pre-tax IRA account to an after-tax IRA account? Engaging in this type of transfer would be considered a conversion and would be subject to potential tax consequences. It is often recommended that you refer to a tax professional to understand what the tax implications may be.   Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/blog/move-qualified-funds-to-maximize-retirement-strategy) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/blog/move-qualified-funds-to-maximize-retirement-strategy) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/blog/move-qualified-funds-to-maximize-retirement-strategy) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/blog/move-qualified-funds-to-maximize-retirement-strategy) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/blog/move-qualified-funds-to-maximize-retirement-strategy) ## Related posts [![](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/hubfs/Rental-600.webp)](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/blog/beware-the-cost-of-rental-properties-in-an-ira) ### [Beware the Cost of Rental Properties in an IRA](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/blog/beware-the-cost-of-rental-properties-in-an-ira) [![](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/hubfs/SMMarketingDD.jpg)](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/social-media-marketing-for-alternative-investments-why-due-diligence-still-matters) ### [The Power of Social Media Marketing for Alternative Investments: Why Due Diligence Still Matters](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/social-media-marketing-for-alternative-investments-why-due-diligence-still-matters) [![Business owner looking out window with an open sign in the window](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/hubfs/PTC%20Blog%20Unlock%20401k%20to%20SDIRA%2010.31.25%201200x628.png)](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/moving-your-401k-to-a-self-directed-ira) [Blog](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/tag/blog) ### [Unlocking Investment Freedom: A Q&A Guide on Moving Your 401K to a Self-directed IRA](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog/moving-your-401k-to-a-self-directed-ira) ![White Horizontal Logo PNG cropped-1](https://blog.preferredtrustcompany.com/hs-fs/hubfs/White%20Horizontal%20Logo%20PNG%20cropped-1.png?width=250&height=67&name=White%20Horizontal%20Logo%20PNG%20cropped-1.png "White Horizontal Logo PNG cropped-1")  Specialist self-directed IRA custodian for alternative investment sponsors and individual investors.  [702-998-7892](tel:702-998-7892) [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/company/preferredtrust) [youtube icon](https://www.youtube.com/@preferredtrust) ##### For Investors - [Open an Account](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/self-directed-ira-applications/) - [Fee Schedule](https://preferredtrustcompany.com/fee-schedule/) - [Investor FAQs](https://www.preferredtrustcompany.com/faqs) ##### Investment Options - [Precious Metals](https://www.preferredtrustcompany.com/precious-metals-2/) - [Digital Assets](https://www.preferredtrustcompany.com/digital-currency/) ##### Client Tools - [Client Portal](https://icp.infovisa.com/0234) - [Forms Library](https://www.preferredtrustcompany.com/forms/) - [Contact Support](https://www.preferredtrustcompany.com/contact-us/) - [Blog](https://info.preferredtrustcompany.com/blog) - [IRA Rules](https://www.preferredtrustcompany.com/inherited_iras/) ##### Company - [About](https://www.preferredtrustcompany.com/about-ira-custodian/) - [Contact Us](https://www.preferredtrustcompany.com/contact-us/) --- Preferred Trust Company performs the duties of a directed (passive) custodian and does not provide due diligence to third parties regarding prospective investments, platforms, sponsors, dealers, or service providers. 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