Unlock a world of investment opportunities and take control of your retirement future with the Checkbook IRA. The financial industry wants you to think you’re limited to stocks, mutual funds, and other such instruments offered by the big institutions, but the truth is, there’s a whole world of possible alternative investments—from real estate to precious metals, from private equity funds to tax liens—and with a Checkbook IRA, you can take charge of growing your own wealth, invest in what you know, and understand all from the comfort of a local bank account. The Checkbook IRA , written by tax attorney Adam Bergman, reads like an easy-to-understand conversation between a lawyer and his client, addressing the most popular issues facing a self-directed IRA investor, with a special focus on the Checkbook IRA. This comprehensive guide covers everything—from the basic principles of a self-directed IRA to the complexities of retirement tax issues. As you learn how to grow your wealth faster and more securely by diversifying your investments among both traditional and alternative options, you’ll quickly realize just how easy and rewarding it is to be the one in charge of your future. Adam Bergman, Esq., a recognized expert on IRAs and 401(k)s, is a senior tax partner with the IRA Financial Group LLC, and managing partner of the Bergman Law Group LLC. Founder of the BergmanIRAReport.com and the Bergman401KReport.com, he is also the author of Going Solo: America's Best Kept Retirement Secret For the Self-Employed; and a frequent contributor to Forbes . Additionally, he has been interviewed on CBS News , and his retirement tax planning advice has been quoted in such publications as Businessweek , CNN Money , Smart Money , and USA Today . Previously, Bergman worked as a tax and ERISA attorney at White & Case LLP, Dewey LeBoeuf LLP, and Thelen LLP, three of the most prominent corporate law firms in the world. He is a member of the tax division of the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association.