Investing in alternative assets through a SelfDirected IRA can also involve precious metals. By including gold, silver, platinum, or palladium in your retirement portfolio, you can hedge against inflation and market volatility. The IRS allows specific types of bullion and coins to be held in an SDIRA, which must be stored in an approved depository. This provides security and peace of mind knowing that these tangible assets can supplement your retirement savings. As with any investment strategy, understanding the market trends and the specific requirements for holding metals in an SDIRA is crucial.