A Checkbook IRA gives you a dedicated LLC and checking account funded with your retirement dollars — so you can invest in real estate, crypto, startups, and more without custodian delays or approval.
Invest in real estate, crypto, private equity & more
Write checks directly — no custodian sign-off per deal
⚡️Open in under 5 minutes — fastest account setup in the industry
★★★★★4.8 Google Rating
Best SDIRA 2026
Best SDIRA 2025
As Seen In
Best Self-Directed IRA 2026
Best Self-Directed IRA 2025
★★★★★4.8 / 5
Google Rating Thousands of 5-star reviews
What is a Checkbook IRA?
Your retirement savings deserve more than a limited menu.
A Checkbook IRA is a Self-Directed IRA paired with an LLC that you manage. You get a dedicated checking account, full investment freedom, and the ability to act quickly — the way any serious investor should.
Standard SDIRA Custodian
Traditional IRA — someone else decides
Every investment requires custodian review — adds days or weeks to close
Per-transaction fees that compound on active portfolios
Limited to custodian-approved asset types and platforms
Slow wires mean losing deals to faster cash buyers
Rocket Dollar Checkbook IRA
Rocket Dollar — you decide
Write checks or wire funds directly — no approval needed per transaction
Unlimited transactions included
Invest in anything the IRS permits: real estate, crypto, startups, lending
Close as fast as any cash buyer
What you can invest in
Go beyond stocks and bonds.
Millions of Americans don't know their retirement savings can be invested in assets they actually understand. With a Rocket Dollar Checkbook IRA, your options are virtually unlimited.
Real Estate Rentals, fix-and-flip, raw land, syndicates
Cryptocurrency Hold your own keys, tax-advantaged
Startups Angel rounds, SPVs, private equity
Private Lending Hard money loans, notes, mortgages
Open your account online in minutes. We handle all the LLC formation, IRS paperwork, and setup — so you can focus on finding great investments.
01
Open Your Account
Open your Rocket Dollar account entirely online — no branch visits, no paperwork stacks. We set up your Self-Directed IRA and IRA-owned LLC, handling all the formation documents and IRS compliance for you.
⚡ 5 minutes to start
02
Fund via Rollover
Move your existing 401(k), IRA, or 403(b) into your new account penalty-free. Our team handles the paperwork and coordinates directly with your current custodian so your money moves quickly and safely.
⏱ 1–2 weeks to fund
03
Write Checks. Close Deals.
Once your account is funded, you're in control. Write a check, wire funds, or sign contracts directly from your IRA LLC — invest in the deals you find, on your timeline, without asking anyone for permission.
Yes. The IRS does not prohibit Self-Directed IRAs or LLC checkbook control structures. The critical requirement is proper setup and avoiding prohibited transactions. Rocket Dollar ensures your IRA and LLC meet all IRS requirements from day one.
With a standard SDIRA custodian, they must approve every transaction — adding days or weeks of delay and often per-transaction fees. With a Checkbook IRA, your funds are inside an LLC you manage directly. You write checks or wire funds with no custodian approval required per transaction.
Yes. Most 401(k)s, Traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, and 403(b)s are eligible for a penalty-free rollover. Our team handles the transfer coordination and paperwork with your current custodian. Expedited service is available for time-sensitive investments.
The IRS prohibits transactions between your IRA and "disqualified persons" — primarily you, your spouse, and lineal family members. You cannot buy property you already own or personally use, and life insurance and most collectibles are off-limits. Your specialist will cover all these rules on your first call.
Yes. One Rocket Dollar Checkbook IRA can hold many different assets simultaneously — real estate, crypto, startup equity, private loans, and more. You're never limited to one type of investment, and there are no new investment fees when you add assets.
★★★★★
Rocket Dollar provides a unique service for a reasonable price. I’ve had several questions as this area is new to me, and the staff — especially Elizabeth — have been helpful in resolving my concerns.
Luke Hartman
★★★★★
The staff at Rocket Dollar has been very helpful. The opportunity to get our IRA and Roth Funds to invest in private equity has been a great strategy for estate and investment strategies. Chelsea and the team have been helpful
Donald Privett
★★★★★
Self-directed retirement investing is the future, and Rocket Dollar paves the way. Customer support before and after the setup process is always top-notch. Shout out to Chelsey for responding so insightfully to my recent support requests. More recently, thank you Tanya for reaching out. Appreciate the RD team.
Kurt Grela
★★★★★
Rocket Dollar is helping me set up a rather complex retirement account that virtually no other Investment Account organizations can handle. You can easily reach a real customer service professional based in the United States and get questions, concerns, etc addressed quickly, which is rare these days. My experience with these guys has been great! Really pleased to have discovered them.
John H. Johntz
★★★★★
Had another great experience with Rocket Dollar! Was in need of up-dating by banking info. Daniela Mink was very friendly and professional throughout our correspondence. She responded quickly to my questions and helped navigate me to a workable solution. I appreciated her prompt communication and helpful attitude.
Tim Jaehne
★★★★★
In my short time with Rocket Dollar the staff have been extremely helpful. I was nervous about this since it involves big financial numbers. They've been great.
Cory Hoedebecke
★★★★★
Rocket Dollar is a great service, using BYOD is a complex process and their support team is never more than few seconds away on a phone call to guide you through the process and next steps.
Pankaj Mathur
Get Started Today
Your retirement savings should work as hard as you do.
Speak with an IRA specialist today — free, no obligation, no pressure.
