PENSCO Trust Reviews: What Happened After the Pacific Premier Merger?
PENSCO Trust Company was a leading self-directed IRA custodian before merging with Pacific Premier Trust. Understand what this means for your account.
Key Takeaways
- 1PENSCO Trust merged with Pacific Premier Trust in 2021, consolidating under the PPT brand
- 2Former PENSCO accounts maintain the same investment options and custodial services
- 3Pacific Premier Trust charges competitive fees with account minimums starting at $1,500
- 4The custodian specializes in alternative assets including real estate, private equity, and precious metals
- 5Customer service reviews are mixed, with some reporting slow response times post-merger
PENSCO History & The Pacific Premier Trust Merger
PENSCO Trust Company was founded in 1989 and became one of the largest independent self-directed IRA custodians in the United States. In 2021, PENSCO merged with Pacific Premier Trust, creating a larger combined entity.
- PENSCO was headquartered in San Francisco with over $16 billion in assets under custody
- Pacific Premier Trust (formerly PENSCO Trust Company of Nevada) acquired PENSCO
- All PENSCO accounts were transitioned to the Pacific Premier Trust platform
- The combined company operates under the Pacific Premier Trust brand
- Former PENSCO clients retained their account numbers and investment holdings
Current Status
If you're searching for PENSCO, your account is now with Pacific Premier Trust. The same custodial services continue, but under the PPT brand and systems.
Pacific Premier Trust Fee Structure (Formerly PENSCO)
Pacific Premier Trust maintains a competitive fee structure for self-directed IRAs. Fees vary based on account type and assets held.
- Minimum initial investment: $1,500 for most account types
- Annual fees may be higher for complex alternative investments
- Real estate holdings may incur additional administrative fees
- Some fees are negotiable for larger accounts
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Account Setup | $50-$100 | One-time fee |
| Annual Account Fee | $275-$395 | Based on account type |
| Asset-Based Fee | 0.05%-0.25% | On certain alternative assets |
| Transaction Fees | $95-$250 | Per investment transaction |
| Wire Transfer | $25 | Outgoing domestic |
| Account Termination | $150 | If closing account |
Fees as of 2025; verify current rates with Pacific Premier Trust
Available Investment Options
Pacific Premier Trust (formerly PENSCO) offers a wide range of alternative investment options for self-directed IRAs.
- Real Estate: Rental properties, commercial real estate, raw land, REITs
- Private Equity: Startup investments, private company stock, LLCs
- Precious Metals: Gold, silver, platinum, palladium (IRS-approved)
- Private Lending: Promissory notes, trust deeds, mortgages
- Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin, Ethereum, other digital assets
- Traditional Assets: Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs
Investment Flexibility
The custodian can hold almost any IRS-permitted investment. However, prohibited transactions rules still apply regardless of custodian.
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Pros & Cons of Pacific Premier Trust
Based on customer reviews and industry analysis, here are the key advantages and disadvantages of using Pacific Premier Trust.
- BBB Rating: A+ (Pacific Premier Trust)
- Customer reviews on Trustpilot and Google are mixed (3.2-3.8 stars average)
- Long-term clients generally report satisfaction with account management
- New clients sometimes experience onboarding delays
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide range of alternative investments | Higher fees than some competitors |
| Established reputation (30+ years combined) | Mixed customer service reviews post-merger |
| Online account management portal | Transaction processing can be slow |
| Low account minimums ($1,500) | Complex fee structure |
| Educational resources available | Some technology integration issues reported |
How the Merger Impacts Your Account
If you were a PENSCO client, here's what changed and what stayed the same after the Pacific Premier Trust merger.
- Your investments remain the same - no forced liquidation or changes
- Account numbers were retained during the transition
- Online portal access moved to the Pacific Premier Trust platform
- Fee structure may have changed - review your current fee schedule
- Customer service contacts and processes updated to PPT systems
- Beneficiary designations and account settings carried over
Action Required
If you haven't logged into your account since the merger, update your login credentials on the Pacific Premier Trust website. Also verify your beneficiary designations are current.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1Is PENSCO Trust still in business?
PENSCO Trust merged with Pacific Premier Trust in 2021. The PENSCO brand no longer operates independently, but all accounts and services continue under the Pacific Premier Trust name. If you had a PENSCO account, it's now a PPT account.
2What happened to my PENSCO account?
Your PENSCO account was automatically transitioned to Pacific Premier Trust. Your investments, account number, and beneficiary designations were preserved. You can access your account through the Pacific Premier Trust online portal.
3Are Pacific Premier Trust fees higher than PENSCO's were?
Fee structures changed during the merger. Some clients reported slight fee increases, while others saw no change. Review your current fee schedule directly with Pacific Premier Trust to understand your specific costs.
4Can I transfer my account from Pacific Premier Trust to another custodian?
Yes, you can transfer your self-directed IRA to any other qualified custodian at any time. There may be a termination fee ($150 typical) and you'll need to coordinate the transfer with both custodians.
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