Many investors are surprised to learn they are not limited to stocks, bonds, and mutual funds when it comes to retirement investing.

You can use Self-Directed IRAs or other retirement accounts to invest in a variety of alternative assets. This includes real estate, energy, tax liens, promissory notes, private entities (such as an LLC), cryptocurrency, and more.

Investors who open Self-Directed accounts often do so to strengthen their portfolios with diverse alternative investments, while staying in a tax-advantaged environment.