It doesn't matter if you're young and just starting to save for retirement or if retirement is on the horizon for you-you need to ask yourself this: Is your IRA performing the way you want it to? Are you getting the maximum returns? Do you want more control over your investments? If you answered no to one or more of these questions, you have two important issues to consider. One, building your retirement account so you have the principal necessary to generate sufficient retirement income. And two, managing the assets in your retirement account so that you get the returns you want. This is too important to simply turn it over to some sort of investment portfolio manager and hope they make the right decisions. No one cares more about your financial status than you do. No matter where you are in terms of retirement - whether you're young and just starting to put money aside in your IRA, or if you're a baby boomer with retirement on the horizon, the reality is this: When you have genuine and complete control over your IRA, you can use it to build the wealth you want and need to retire on your terms. So what's the solution for taking control of your financial future? A self-directed IRA, where you can earn higher yields and get your assets working harder for you. Investing in alternative assets like real estate can earn you double-digit returns, and that will make reaching your economic goals easier and faster. "How to Buy Real Estate (and Other Cool Stuff) in Your IRA "shows you how.