Two things must be true on every contract your plan enters: the entity is listed as the contracting party, and you sign in your designated role, not as an individual. Getting either of these wrong can create a prohibited transaction or title problem that is difficult to unwind.
The entity is the party: you are the authority
A retirement plan entity cannot sign for itself. The LLC, IRA Trust, or Solo 401(k) trust is the legal party to the contract, but a human being must execute it on the entity's behalf. That person is you, acting in your designated role.
For an IRA LLC, your role is manager.
For an IRA Trust or Solo 401(k) trust, your role is trustee.
Your signature must reflect that role. Signing your name alone, without your title, leaves the entity's authority ambiguous and can create problems with title companies, lenders, and counterparties.
Signature block format by plan type
IRA LLC
SB Property Holdings LLC
By: ___________________________
Sophie Bennett, Manager
IRA Trust
Blue Sky Investment Trust
By: ___________________________
Samir Mansour, trustee
Solo 401(k)
Widget Enterprises 401(k) Plan
By: ___________________________
Lucas Meyer, trustee
How most contracts handle this
Many investment documents (purchase agreements, subscription agreements, loan documents) have separate fields for the entity name and the authorized signer. In those cases:
- Entity / Buyer field: Enter the full legal name of the LLC or trust
- Signature / Authorized by field: Sign your name and print your title (manager or trustee) beneath it
You do not need to repeat the full formal vesting language in every field. The entity name goes where the contracting party is identified; your name and title go where the signature is required.
Related Articles
Disclosure
This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as tax, legal, or investment advice. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified professional who can offer guidance based on their personal situation.
Related Articles
How should I title plan assets?
Every investment your plan makes must be titled in the name of the plan entity, not your personal name. The correct title depends on which plan structure you're using. Why titling matters Taking title in your own name is one of the most consequential ...
What is the workflow for buying real estate?
Your plan entity is the buyer at every stage from the first offer through the final closing. The checklist below gives you the key action and the critical compliance point for each phase of the transaction. Transaction checklist Phase Action Watch ...
Do I need custodian approval for investments?
No. With a checkbook IRA, whether structured as an LLC or a trust, you execute investments directly, without submitting requests to or seeking approval from the custodian. That is the defining advantage of checkbook control. Why the custodian isn't ...
How do I handle earnest money deposits (EMD)?
The earnest money deposit must come from your plan entity's bank account. No exceptions. Why personal funds are not an option Paying the EMD from your personal funds, even with the intention of reimbursing yourself later, constitutes an extension of ...
Does my plan qualify as an accredited investor?
Yes, if you qualify as an accredited investor personally, your plan qualifies as well. The plan does not need to meet the income or net worth thresholds independently. How the look-through works by plan type The SEC's accredited investor definition ...