Fund your Alto self-directed IRA
Funding your self-directed IRA is simple and straightforward with Alto.
Whether you’re rolling over a 401(k), transferring funds from another IRA or contributing new dollars for this tax year, Alto helps ensure your funds arrive safely and stay compliant with IRS regulations. After opening your Alto IRA, there are a few methods available for funding your account, depending on where you currently hold funds.
IRA transfer: Move funds between IRA accounts
IRA account holders are able to transfer funds from their existing accounts into a new one, and the transfer does not count toward the annual IRA contribution limit.
An important consideration when pursuing this option is if both IRAs are the same type or receive the same tax treatment. For example, a transfer from a tax-deferred account to another tax-deferred IRA should not result in any penalties or withdrawal fees as long as the account holder does not receive a distribution. However, transferring the balance of a tax-deferred IRA to a tax-free IRA is likely to incur penalties and fees.
Traditional, Roth and SEP IRAs can all be transferred.
For step-by-step instructions on initiating an IRA transfer, follow this guide.
Employer-sponsored retirement account rollover
For those who have switched employers or left their job and have a retirement not yet rolled over, that balance can be used to fund an IRA. A range of employer-sponsored retirement account types including Traditional or Roth 401(k)s, 403(b)s and 457(b)s can be rolled into an IRA. This approach, similar to an IRA transfer, does not count toward the annual IRA contribution limit.
Completing a rollover involves a few basic steps like reaching out to the retirement account provider, requesting a rollover and specifying where the check should be sent. The most straightforward option is to send the funds directly to the new IRA provider.
For detailed information on how to initiate a rollover from an employer-sponsored retirement account, follow these steps.
Cash contribution: Add new funds to your IRA
IRAs can be funded via cash contribution, but this option is the only one of the three which would be subject to IRA annual contribution limits. For the 2025 tax year, the limit is $7,000 for people under the age of 50, and $8,000 for people 50 and up. For 2026, these numbers are $7,500 and $8,600, respectively. Keep in mind that this limit is not per IRA account, but across all IRAs held.
Funding your Alto account is simple
Alto’s platform and team manage each step to ensure your transfer, rollover or contribution is processed correctly and remains IRS-compliant. When your funds are received and your account is ready to invest, Alto will let you know so you can begin building your portfolio in the private markets.
