Can I liquidate assets before transferring out of AET?

Yes, clients have the option to liquidate assets before transferring their account to another custodian. Whether or not liquidation is necessary depends on the type of asset being held and the policies of the successor custodian.

Reasons for Liquidation Before Transfer

Some clients choose to liquidate their investments before transferring for various reasons, including:

• The successor custodian does not support the specific asset type.
• The client wishes to end the investment before transferring.
• The asset is difficult to transfer, making liquidation a more practical choice.

Asset-Specific Considerations

Private Investments (e.g., Private Stock, Private Loans, PPMs)

If a client wishes to liquidate a private investment before transferring, they must contact the investment sponsor to facilitate the process. The sponsor should return the principal and any earned interest directly to the IRA. These returned funds will be applied towards the initial value of the investment to show a return of investment income. 

In almost all cases, funds invested by clients are sent to a third-party investment sponsor. To recover those funds or determine the current value of the investment, clients must contact the investment sponsor directly.

Cryptocurrency

AET does not allow cryptocurrency to be transferred in from or out to another custodian. Clients who hold cryptocurrency in their SDIRA must liquidate their holdings before transferring.

Precious Metals

Clients have two options when dealing with precious metals before a transfer:

1. Sell the Metals – Clients can find their own vendor or request AET to liquidate the metals on their behalf.
2. Transfer the Metals – If the successor custodian accepts precious metals, the metals may be transferred. However, shipping costs to send the metals to the new depository must be paid before the transfer can occur.

Tangible Assets (e.g., Real Estate)

For real estate or other physical assets, clients can either:

• Sell the property and convert it to cash before transferring.
• Transfer the asset whole, provided the successor custodian accepts such assets.

Access to Documents Before Closing the Account

Once a client completes the transfer and their account is closed, they will no longer have access to AET’s online portal. If past account statements or investment documents are needed, clients should download and save these records before completing the transfer.

If you have further questions regarding asset liquidation before transferring out of AET, please contact AET Support for assistance.