A Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) is a type of individual retirement account (IRA) that allows the account holder to customize their investments and make decisions free from the guidance or advice of a traditional financial institution or professional. Unlike a typical IRA, which may limit the investor to stocks, bonds, and other common financial assets, a Self-Directed IRA can purchase a wider range of assets, such as real estate, private company ownerships, mortgages, and more.

The purpose of a SDIRA is to be self-directed. The account holder, who may be referred to as the "participant," can make decisions on how their SDIRA is structured and how money is managed. However, unlike standard financial advisors, the participant must research and understand the potential risks, returns, and implications of their investing decisions.

In order to open a SDIRA, account holders need to select a custodian who will provide administrative and other services for the account. Depending on the custodian chosen, some overhead costs, such as account maintenance fees, may be charged.

A self-directed IRA is a powerful tool to save for retirement, but it should also be used carefully and with an understanding of the risks associated with it. First, being self-managed means that there is no external party providing financial advice or evaluating the individual choices. Second, expenses associated with the account such as legal and accounting costs associated with IRS rules, may turn out to be costlier than the expected gains from the account. Lastly, there is always the potential for fraud if parties other than the custodian are involved in the transactions.

In conclusion, investors looking to diversify their retirement savings into non-traditional assets may benefit from a Self-Directed IRA. But potential SDIRA participants should always be conscious of the associated risks and costs and seek out reliable custodial services to maximize the benefits of their retirement investing.