Top 7 Best Gold IRA Companies of 2023
Planning for retirement? Explore the top 7 gold IRA companies in this guide. Protect your future now.
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The best gold IRA companies for retirement accounts are:
- Goldco: Best overall
- American Hartford Gold: Best for small investors
- Augusta Precious Metals: Best education
- Birch Gold Group: Best 1-on-1 service
- Noble Gold Investments: Best security
- Advantage Gold: Best for new investors
- Patriot Gold Group: Best for no IRA fees
Investing in gold could be a good way to safeguard your retirement. But setting up a gold IRA is not as simple as a regular IRA.
You need to open a special self-directed retirement account, buy IRA-compliant gold, and store it in an IRS-approved depository.
Plus, the gold IRA business is rampant with scams and scare tactics. So how do you find one you can trust?
In this guide, review the best gold IRA companies. Find out the pros & cons of gold IRAs and common fees.
Free Ultimate Guide to Gold IRAs
- Free gold when you open an eligible gold IRA
- Zero fees for up to 10 years (everyone qualifies)
- Endorsed by Mark Levin & Jeanine Pirro
Free Gold IRA Kit
- Up to $10,000 in free silver for eligible customers
- Highest buyback price, guaranteed
- Endorsed by Sean Hannity and Chuck Norris
100% Free IRA Rollover
- Free storage, maintenance & insurance for up to 3 years
- Buyback Commitment to buy back your precious metals with no fees
- Free shipping of physical gold and silver to your home
Best Gold IRA Companies for Retirement Investment
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Here are the most reputable gold IRA companies. They're chosen for their strong track records, positive customer reviews, and transparency.
You're only allowed to invest in physical gold through special gold Individual Retirement Accounts. Traditional IRA accounts only let you invest in publicly-traded securities like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. But gold IRAs let you hold precious metals, while giving you the same IRA tax advantages.
🏆 Goldco: Best Overall
Founded in 2006, Goldco is one of the most highly rated gold IRA providers. Its great customer service, silver coins promo, and buyback guarantee make it a solid choice for first-time buyers.
Goldco has over 2000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs. And its celebrity ambassadors include Sean Hannity, Chuck Norris, and Ben Stein.
| Minimum investment | $25,000 recommended |
| Precious metals offered | Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium |
| Eligible rollover accounts | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), 403(b), 457, Pensions, TSP |
| IRA custodian used | All major Self-Directed IRA custodians |
| Depository used | Delaware Depository |
| Buyback program | Yes |
| BBB grade | A+[1] |
Free Gold IRA Kit
- Up to $10,000 in free silver for eligible customers
- Highest buyback price, guaranteed
- Endorsed by Sean Hannity and Chuck Norris
Why we like Goldco:
Goldco understands that opening a gold IRA can be scary. Their specialists will take time to explain the options, guide you through the whole rollover process, and answer any questions.
It also has one of the best buyback guarantee programs. Goldco guarantees that they will buy back your gold at the highest price. This gives you confidence knowing that you're not stuck with your gold if it no longer matches your goals.
To sweeten the deal for new customers, Goldco even offers up to $10,000 in free silver coins when you open a gold IRA investment account.
The minimum investment is $25,000.[2] This is on par with other gold IRAs. It's a good amount to start with to diversify your retirement savings.
Pros & Cons:
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Fees:
Fees for gold storage and custodianship can vary depending on the company you select to handle these services (required by the IRS, as all IRA assets must be managed by a custodian). Depending on the Custodian, storage fees can range from $10 to $60 per month, or as a percentage of assets, from 0.35% to 1% annually. Goldco does not charge any storage fees for cash transactions over $25,000.
Get Up to $10,000 in Free Silver
Open a qualifying gold IRA and get up to $10,000 in free silver
American Hartford Gold: Best for Small Investors
Based in Los Angeles, American Hartford Gold Group is a family-owned gold IRA company dedicated to education, quality service, and transparent pricing.
American Hartford is a great choice for small investors who just want to invest a little bit in gold. Their $10,000 minimum is the lowest among gold IRA companies.
It has 4.9 stars on Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs.
| Minimum investment | $10,000 |
| Precious metals offered | Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium |
| Eligible rollover accounts | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), 403(b), 457, TSP |
| IRA custodian used | Equity Trust |
| Depository used | Delaware Depository, Brinks Global Services, International Depository Services |
| Buyback program | Yes |
| BBB grade | A+ |
100% Free IRA Rollover
- Free storage, maintenance & insurance for up to 3 years
- Buyback Commitment to buy back your precious metals with no fees
- Free shipping of physical gold and silver to your home
Why we like American Hartford Gold:
Opening an account online is easy, and shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes. A precious metals expert will help with account opening and filling out paperwork. You can have your account set up and funds transferred over in as little as 3 days.
Before you buy, you will know exactly the costs and fees involved.
The minimum investment is just $10,000.[3] It's good if you only want to convert a little bit of your IRA into gold.
They also have a Buyback Commitment. American Hartford Gold wants you to contact them first if you want to sell. There's no liquidation fee and they will even arrange shipment. However, they can't guarantee they'll buy back your gold.
Pros & Cons:
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Fees:
- Account Minimum: $10,000
- Annual Account Fee: $75 for accounts under $100,000; $125 for accounts over[4]
- Annual Storage Fee: $100 per year
Augusta Precious Metals: Best Education
Founded in 2012, Augusta Precious Metals is the best gold IRA company for superior customer service. They really take education seriously and stand by their account lifetime support commitment.
Before you even open an account, you can get a private video chat to go over any questions you might have about gold, risks and rewards, and the market.
It has an average of 4.95 stars from customers and is endorsed by Mark Levin, Judge Jeanine Pirro, and Joe Montana.
| Minimum investment | $50,000 |
| Precious metals offered | Gold and silver |
| Eligible rollover accounts | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), 403(b) |
| IRA custodian used | Equity Trust (recommended) |
| Depository used | Delaware Depository (recommended) |
| Buyback program | Yes |
| BBB grade | A+ |
Free Gold When You Open a Gold IRA
Free gold is only for qualified customers who have at least $100K saved for retirement and who open a gold IRA with Augusta Precious Metals.
Why we like Augusta Precious Metals:
Instead of pressuring you, Augusta Precious Metals goes above and beyond to educate customers. They want to make sure you get the information you need to make the best choice for your future.
And once you're an Augusta customer, you get lifetime support from their entire team of gold professionals. They don't just sell you gold and then leave you on your own.
They will support you with all your questions, about things like:
- Questions about gold and the precious metals market
- Adding more gold to your IRA
- Managing distributions during retirement
- Building a legacy for your family
- Precious metal buybacks
It's no surprise that Augusta Precious Metals has hundreds of 5-star reviews across BBB, Trustlink, and BCA.
It's also the gold IRA that Joe Montana personally uses, chosen by his financial team.
The only downside is that the minimum investment is $50,000. This is a lot higher than other gold IRAs, which start at $25,000 or even less.
Pros & Cons:
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Fees:
- Minimum investment: $50,000[5]
- Custodian account setup fee: $50
- Custodian maintenance fee: $100 per year
- Depository storage fee: $100 per year non-segregated[6]
- Shipping costs: $0
- No commission fees
- No management fees
Talk to Augusta Precious Metals about how you can get no fees for up to 10 years.
Free Gold IRA Web Conference
- Free 1-on-1 web conference designed by an on-staff, Harvard-trained economist
- Lifetime support even after your purchase
- Endorsed by Joe Montana, Hall of Fame Quarterback
There is no maximum amount for gold IRA rollovers. Additional contributions are based on IRS annual contribution limits, which is $6,500 in 2023 ($7,500 if you're 50 or older).[7]
If Augusta's $50,000 minimum is too much for you, check out Birch Gold Group next.
Birch Gold Group: Best 1-on-1 Service
With 20 years in business, Birch Gold Group is one of the oldest precious metals IRA companies.
Birch Gold Group has a solid reputation and offers quality 1-on-1 service. It has one of the lowest minimums and lower fees than some competitors.
It's the gold IRA of choice for over 14,000 customers. It has an overall rating of 4.84 stars across almost 600 reviews on Trustpilot, Trustlink, Consumer Affairs, and Google.
| Minimum investment | $10,000 |
| Precious metals offered | Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium |
| Eligible rollover accounts | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), 403(b), TSP, SEP, annuity |
| IRA custodian used | Equity Trust, STRATA |
| Depository used | Delaware Depository, Brinks Global Services |
| Buyback program | Yes |
| BBB grade | A+ |
Free 2023 Information Kit
- Free "insider" info on gold & silver
- 1-on-1 care with a dedicated specialist
- Endorsed by Ben Shapiro and Ron Paul
Why we like Birch Gold Group
From your very first call, Birch Gold Group matches you with a precious metals specialist. And that same specialist will stay with you the entire time you're with Birch.
This ensures that you get just one dedicated person who understands your financial needs and goals.
Your specialist will go over all the available investment options and their pros and cons. They can even help you figure out the best precious metals for your retirement goals, and how much and how often to invest.
And if you open a gold IRA, they'll help you rollover your existing retirement account and fill out the paperwork.
The minimum to invest with Birch Gold Group is just $10,000. This is lower than most competitors.
Pros & Cons:
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Fees:[8]
- Minimum investment: $10,000[9]
- Account setup fee: $50
- Account management fee: $100 per year
- Storage/insurance fee: $100 per year
- Wire transfer fee: $30
If you transfer over $50,000 to your new gold IRA account, Birch Gold Group will cover all first year fees for you.
No First Year Fees
Transfer over $50,000 to a new gold IRA and get your first year fees paid
Noble Gold Investments: Best Security
Noble Gold was founded by Collin Plume in Pasadena, California, who has over 20 years in the precious metals industry.
Noble Gold aims to stand out from other gold IRAs by inspiring trust. It has its own advisors to answer any questions about gold IRA investments. If you need more help, it will even refer clients to specialty experts.
Setting up an account is easy and can take just 5 minutes. Start by filling out some simple forms online and they'll get in touch to deal with the more detailed questions over the phone.
| Minimum investment | $20,000 |
| Precious metals offered | Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium |
| Eligible rollover accounts | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), 403(b), 457, TSP, SEP or SIMPLE IRAs, certain pensions |
| IRA custodian used | Equity Trust |
| Depository used | International Depository Services (recommended) |
| Buyback program | Yes |
| BBB grade | A+ |
Why we like Noble Gold Investments:
Noble Gold goes above and beyond to make you feel secure. They actually take photo proof of your precious metals in the depository (for free!).
It's also good if you want some gold stored at home for emergencies or as part of your long-term wealth planning.
They also sell pre-created Royal Survival Packs ranging from $10,000 to $500,000. You'll get a mix of precious metals that you can sell quickly in emergencies. You can keep them at home with you, or in a secure, fully guarded depository.
Noble Gold offers free shipping and competitive pricing on gold and other precious metals. They pride themselves on a "no hard sell" policy and a "no-questions-asked" buy-back program.
Pros & Cons:
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Fees:[10]
- Account Minimum: $20,000
- Recurring Annual Fee: $80
- Annual Storage Fee (Texas or Delaware): $150
- Custodian Fee: Varies by customer
Free Ultimate Guide to Gold IRAs
- Free gold when you open an eligible gold IRA
- Zero fees for up to 10 years (everyone qualifies)
- Endorsed by Mark Levin & Jeanine Pirro
Advantage Gold: Best for New Investors
Founded in 2014, Advantage Gold is one of the newer arrivals on the gold IRA scene.
Already, it has a solid track record and over 2,000 five star reviews on BBB, Trustpilot, Trustlink, and Consumer Affaris.
| Minimum investment | $25,000 |
| Precious metals offered | Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium |
| Eligible rollover accounts | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), TSP, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, pensions, annuity |
| IRA custodian used | Equity Trust, STRATA |
| Depository used | Delaware Depository, Brinks Global Services |
| Buyback program | Yes; at minimum spot price |
| BBB grade | A+ |
Why we like Advantage Gold:
Advantage Gold puts a lot of emphasis on education. Their main goal is to help new gold IRA investors make an informed decision about your retirement options. They know gold investment is a big deal and you should feel comfortable with your decision.
If you do decide to open an account with Advantage, they offer full service from start to finish. They will even contact your current custodian and process the gold IRA rollover on your behalf.
They also have a great buyback program. Advantage promises that they will pay at least the spot price at the time of liquidation. And many coins will even pay above that.
Pros & Cons:
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Fees:
- Account Minimum: $25,000
- Account Setup Fee: $50 one time
- Annual Storage Fees: $50 - $100 per year
- Annual Account Fee: $95 - $250 per year
Free Investors Kit
- A+ Rating from BBB, 5-Star Reviews and Thousands of Satisfied Clients
- Exclusively Recommended by Bill O'Reilly, Rick Harrison and Others.
- No-Cost Consultation with a Precious Metals Specialist
Patriot Gold Group: Best for No Fees IRA
Patriot Gold Group has been named America's #1 Gold IRA Dealer five years in a row from 2016-2020 by Consumer Affairs. The company has received all 5 star reviews.
This company is worth considering, especially if you have more than $100,000 to invest. You can get no fees for life, which can help you save a lot on fees compared to other gold IRAs.
| Minimum investment | $25,000 |
| Precious metals offered | Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium |
| Eligible rollover accounts | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), 403(b), 457, TSP |
| IRA custodian used | Equity Trust, Goldstar, and others |
| Depository used | Delaware Depository, Brinks Global Services |
| Buyback program | Yes |
| BBB grade | A+ |
Why we like Patriot Gold Group:
Patriot Gold Group stands by their 3 commitments:
First, every customer works directly with an owner. They will personally answer your questions and make sure you're ready to take this next step in your retirement planning journey.
Next, Patriot waives all IRA fees if you have $100,000 in your account. This can save you a lot over the years, as most gold IRA custodians cost $200 to $300 per year.
Finally, you get lightning fast 24-hr account setup. Once it's funded, Patriot will help you buy the coins and manage it automatically.
They also promise that you will never pay retail on your precious metals. But the prices are not listed on the website, so you'll have to talk to them to find out.
Pros & Cons:
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Fees:
- Account Minimum: $25,000
- Account Setup Fee: $225 one time
- Annual Fees: Depend on custodian; range from $5 to $250
Other Gold IRA Companies to Consider
Here are other gold investment companies that didn't make our main list. But they're worth mentioning in case one of these are better for you instead.
Oxford Gold Group
Oxford Gold Group was founded in 2017 and is based in Los Angeles. They know that every client is unique, and will work with you on a personalized investing strategy based on your goals.
Oxford's minimum investment is $25,000. They charge a flat $200 for yearly account maintenance.
Orion Metal Exchange
Orion Metal Exchange claims to offer "more metal for your money and more money for your metal."
It always shows the most current precious metals pricing, so you can compare yourself against other dealers. And it lets you sell back your metals at the current market rate with no extra charge.
Orion has excellent reviews with an average of 4.9 stars.
Lear Capital
Lear Capital is one of the older precious metal dealers since 1997. It offers a price match guarantee and a 24-hr purchase guarantee. This lets you cancel your order risk-free within 24 hours if you're not happy with the purchase.
In addition, Lear Capital offers free gold IRA set-up and storage. You also get a personal account rep to help you through the whole process.
Methodology
There are many companies that claim to offer gold IRA accounts, but not all of them are legit. Initial research suggested that there were a total of 18 reputable gold IRA companies.
Then we narrowed the field based on customer reviews from sites such as the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot.
It was especially important to us that the companies prioritized educating customers, as opposed to hard selling. All the ones that made our list of the best gold IRA companies put customers first.
We also talked on the phone with each company to get a feel for their service. Our recommended companies were all responsive, knowledgeable, and transparent about pricing.
Finally, we looked at costs. A gold IRA will have more costs than regular IRAs. So we made sure that the fees are reasonable and comparable.
What is a Gold IRA?
A gold IRA is a self-directed individual retirement account that lets you invest in physical gold coins and other precious metals. Some of the top gold IRA companies are Goldco, American Hartford Group, and Augusta Precious Metals.
Just like regular IRAs, a precious metals IRA gives you tax benefits. It allows the value of your gold to grow tax-free (gold Roth IRA) or tax-deferred (gold Traditional IRA).
The same withdrawals rules apply as well. You can't access your gold until you turn 59½ without incurring a penalty.[11]
The IRS has strict requirements for storing IRA gold. They must be stored by the IRA custodian in an IRS-approved depository. You cannot store IRA gold at home yourself.
You can invest in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in a precious metals IRA account. Note that you can only invest in specific IRS-approved coins. Gold coins must have a pureness of 99.5% and silver coins must have a pureness of 99.9%.
Free Ultimate Guide to Gold IRAs
- Free gold when you open an eligible gold IRA
- Zero fees for up to 10 years (everyone qualifies)
- Endorsed by Mark Levin & Jeanine Pirro
Pros and Cons of a Gold IRA
Unsure whether gold IRAs are right for you? Get the quick takeaway with these pros and cons.
Pros
- Gold is a hedge against inflation.
- Gold is less volatile than the stock market.
- Investing in gold is a good way to diversify your portfolio.
- A gold IRA gives you the same tax advantages as a regular IRA.
- Gold is a tangible asset you can convert to cash.
- Physical precious metals are not reliant upon technology like some investments.
Cons
- Investing in gold requires more initial capital than stocks.
- Precious metals IRAs often have higher fees than other retirement accounts.
- Gold is less liquid than some investments, and may be harder to sell.
- Gold does not provide any dividends or income.
- IRA gold must be stored in IRS-approved depositories (not at home).
Free Gold When You Open a Gold IRA
Free gold is only for qualified customers who have at least $100K saved for retirement and who open a gold IRA with Augusta Precious Metals.
How to Choose a Gold IRA Company
Gold IRAs all provide the same service. So they may seem similar at first glance. How do you choose the best gold investment company for you?
Here are the important things to consider:
Customer service interactions
When you're entrusting a company with your retirement funds, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable with them. You shouldn't feel like the rep is pressuring you.
It's important that they take the time to answer all your questions. They shouldn't rush you to open an account until you're 100% ready - no matter how many phone calls and meetings it takes.
Call around to a few different precious metals IRA companies. You'll easily get a feel for who makes you feel comfortable. This is a case when you should trust your gut instinct.
- Specializes in precious metals IRAs
- Provides transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Offers IRS-approved precious metals
- Uses a secure IRS-approved depository
- Provides education and personalized service
Free Gold IRA Web Conference
- Free 1-on-1 web conference designed by an on-staff, Harvard-trained economist
- Lifetime support even after your purchase
- Endorsed by Joe Montana, Hall of Fame Quarterback
Reputation
Celebrity endorsements may make a strong impression. But the company should have high ratings from actual users.
Read gold IRA reviews on Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, Trustlink, Consumer Affairs, Google, and Business Consumer Alliance (BCA). If there are complaints, see how the company resolved them.
Free Gold IRA Kit
- Up to $10,000 in free silver for eligible customers
- Highest buyback price, guaranteed
- Endorsed by Sean Hannity and Chuck Norris
Pricing and fees
Though pricing shouldn't be the most important, it's still something to consider. Unlike regular IRA accounts, precious metals IRAs have annual account fees and storage fees.
The fees usually range from $200 to $300 a year. Plus, there are set up fees when you open the account. You'll probably hold your gold IRA account for years (or even a decade or more). Over time, even a small difference in fees can add up to big savings.
On top of that, each company has their own markup fees for every precious metal transaction. These fees are not disclosed publicly, so you'll have to talk to the rep to find out.
Buybacks
Buybacks let you sell the gold back to the gold IRA company. This can come in handy when you're in a pinch and need the cash fast. You don't need to look for your own gold buyer.
A good buyback program can help quell the anxiety because you won't be stuck with your gold. You can quickly sell precious metals and get the money in your account (some as fast as within 24 hours).
Range of coins
Most gold IRA companies offer both gold and silver coins. A lot even have platinum and palladium coins as well. This can give you a truly diversified precious metals IRA since these metal prices don't always correlate.
How Do I Invest in a Gold IRA?
Opening a gold IRA account is pretty simple. Many of the companies we've discussed here have simplified the process so it's as easy as possible. Here's what you can expect:
Step One: Sign up
Once you've chosen which precious metals IRA company you'd like to use, visit their website and sign up. They'll ask for a range of personal identifying information.
A precious metals expert will get in touch with you to talk about your options, answer questions, and make sure you feel comfortable about the decision.
If you do decide to go with them, they'll guide you through the process of setting up an account with a gold IRA custodian.
Free Ultimate Guide to Gold IRAs
- Free gold when you open an eligible gold IRA
- Zero fees for up to 10 years (everyone qualifies)
- Endorsed by Mark Levin & Jeanine Pirro
Step Two: Transfer Funds
If you have an existing IRA, 401(k), or other retirement account, you can either do a transfer or rollover to your new gold IRA.
- A transfer is when you move funds between the same account type (ex: IRA to IRA)
- A rollover is between different account types (ex: 401k to IRA)
There will be paperwork to fill out in order to complete the transfer or rollover. Usually, the gold IRA company will help you fill them out. They'll even get in touch with your current IRA custodian.
Step Three: Buy Gold
One of their experts will help with acquiring precious metals. They will have a range of IRS-approved coins for you to choose from. They will make the purchases for you and place them in your depository.
Many gold IRA providers also function as precious metals dealers and can offer you better prices than you might find elsewhere.
A gold IRA can be opened in just one business day once you submit the application. However, it can take your current custodian up to a couple of weeks to transfer funds to your new gold IRA account.
Can You Withdraw from a Gold IRA?
The same IRA withdrawal rules apply to gold IRAs. At the age of 59-1/2, you can withdraw from your gold IRA without penalty. If you withdraw early before age 59-1/2, there's a 10% penalty.[13]
There are two ways you can take your gold IRA distribution:
- In-kind distribution: The actual gold coins will be delivered to your home. This is a good option if you're not ready to sell your coins yet (or if it's not a good time to sell). You can hold onto them yourself and sell later.
- Liquid distribution: This option will liquidate your gold coins and the money will be transferred to your bank account. Note that the selling price is usually less than the current spot price.
Your gold IRA company should help you with the withdrawal process. In most cases, it should only take a few business days to get the cash or initiate delivery.
Yes, you can sell your gold bullions and coins in your gold IRA anytime you want. As long as you keep the cash in your IRA account and don't withdraw it, you won't be taxed or penalized.
Why Should I Invest in a Gold IRA?
Investing in a gold IRA could be a good move if you're nearing retirement. It'll give you more peace of mind to shift from riskier investments (like stocks) to more stable assets (like gold).
The biggest argument for gold investments is that gold is a hedge against inflation.
While the value of the dollar has decreased over time, gold prices have grown more than the dollar over certain periods of time. If you purchase precious metals through an IRA instead of buying gold directly, you get the tax benefits.
That said, there are also downsides of investing in a gold IRA. It has higher annual costs than many other options. And gold won't provide any dividends and is often volatile in the short term.
Free Ultimate Guide to Gold IRAs
- Free gold when you open an eligible gold IRA
- Zero fees for up to 10 years (everyone qualifies)
- Endorsed by Mark Levin & Jeanine Pirro
While gold is a good way to diversify and reduce risk, it shouldn't be your entire portfolio. Experts recommend only keeping 5% - 15% of your portfolio in gold.
If you want to invest in precious metals with more freedom and liquidity, you might consider a gold ETF instead. That gives you exposure to gold as an asset, but can be purchased through a regular retirement account.
You can't invest in precious metals directly with Vanguard. However, the Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund (VGPMX) includes precious metals and mining companies, which comprise about a quarter of this portfolio. If you want to invest in gold directly, you'll need to look elsewhere.
Common Gold IRA Fees to Watch out for
There are several fees commonly associated with a precious metals IRA. It's worth keeping in mind that gold IRAs tend to be more expensive than other, more traditional IRAs. Here are the fees you can expect:
- Account Setup Fee: This is a one-time fee charged by some gold IRA companies when you open your account. It typically ranges between $50 and $150.
- Annual Custodial/Administrative Fee: Charged by your IRA custodian for managing your account. This also typically ends up somewhere between $50 and $150 per year.
- Storage Fee: A fee charged to cover the cost of storing your precious metal coins in a depository. It's usually between $100 and $300 per year.
- Gold Markup: The amount that the gold IRA company charges on top of the spot gold prices. Company usually don't disclose their markup on their website, so you'll have to call to find out.
Can You Store IRA Gold at Home?
The IRS does not let you self-store IRA gold at home. You can only invest in IRA gold through a custodian. The gold must be stored in an IRS-approved depository.
If you really want to keep some gold at home, there are a couple of options.
You can withdraw from your Gold IRA and have the gold delivered to your home. This will count as a distribution and rules will apply. There will be tax penalties if you withdraw before age 59-1/2.
Or you can purchase gold bullion and coins outside of an IRA and store it at home. There will be no tax advantages, but there's no limit to how much you can buy. And you're not restricted to only certain IRS-approved gold.
Gold in a gold IRA must be stored in a secure storage facility with IRS approval. Gold IRA companies typically use one or more of these depositories:
These are the most trusted and secure precious metals storage facilities in the United States.
What is IRS-Approved Gold?
There are strict IRS rules for what kind of gold or silver coins you can invest in for precious metal IRAs.
To be eligible for an IRA, gold bullion must have a pureness of 99.5%. The IRA-approved gold bullion and coins include:
- American Gold Eagle
- American Gold Buffalo
- Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
- Canadian Gold Eagle
- Canadian Gold Polar Bear & Cub
- Australian Gold Striped Marlin
- Australian Gold Kangaroo
- Austrian Gold Philharmonic
- Chinese Gold Panda
Silver bullion and coins must have a pureness of 99.9% to be IRA-eligible. This includes American Silver Eagles, America the Beautiful, and Canadian Silver Maple Leaf.
IRA-eligible platinum and palladium coins must have a pureness of 99.95%. You won't get as many choices, but your precious metals specialist will be able to guide you.
Gold IRA FAQs
How much do you need to start a gold IRA?
Most gold IRA companies require a minimum investment of $10,000 to $50,000. You'll also pay a one-time set-up fee, which averages $100. In addition, the account annual fee and storage fee are usually $200 to $300.
What is gold IRA rollover?
A gold IRA rollover is when you convert funds from your existing retirement account (like a 401k) to a self-directed gold IRA account. This lets you invest your funds in physical gold and other precious metals.
You can rollover just a portion or your entire account. There are no tax penalties for rolling over a 401k to an IRA. But you'll have to pay income taxes if you rollover to a Roth IRA.
Why should I roll over my 401k into a gold IRA?
Rolling over to a gold IRA will let you convert your funds to more stable assets and diversify your retirement savings. The biggest benefit is that IRAs have tax advantages, so your gold investments are either tax-deferred or tax-free.
How much should I invest in a gold IRA?
Experts recommend investing 5%-15% of your retirement portfolio into gold, depending on your financial situation and risk tolerance. This would provide diversification and insurance against inflation.
Gold doesn't have the returns potential as stocks. And plus, it doesn't provide any dividends or income. So if too much of your portfolio is in gold, you'll be missing out on growth you could have gotten from other investments.
Free Ultimate Guide to Gold IRAs
- Free gold when you open an eligible gold IRA
- Zero fees for up to 10 years (everyone qualifies)
- Endorsed by Mark Levin & Jeanine Pirro
Bottom Line
Many see gold as a strong long-term investment vehicle, and with good reason. It can protect your wealth in times of recession and economic instability.
And instead of owning only paper assets, it can be reassuring to know that at least some of your retirement investments are assets you can see and touch.
By investing with a gold IRA company, your gold is safely stored in a vault. Plus, you get the tax advantages, as opposed to just buying gold and storing at home.
Just make sure you invest with a reputable gold IRA company who you feel comfortable with. It's best to give a call to a few companies and see which one you have a good feeling about.
Free Gold IRA Kit
- Up to $10,000 in free silver for eligible customers
- Highest buyback price, guaranteed
- Endorsed by Sean Hannity and Chuck Norris
Free Ultimate Guide to Gold IRAs
- Free gold when you open an eligible gold IRA
- Zero fees for up to 10 years (everyone qualifies)
- Endorsed by Mark Levin & Jeanine Pirro
References
- ^ GOLDCO: Better Business Bureau profile. BBB. (n.d.). Retrieved January 10, 2023
- ^ Goldco. How Much Does a Gold IRA Cost?, Retrieved 7/24/2023
- ^ American Hartford Gold. Does American Hartford Gold have a minimum Gold IRA initial contribution amount?, Retrieved 7/24/2023
- ^ American Hartford Gold Group. IRA Investment Guide, Retrieved 3/16/2022
- ^ Augusta Precious Metals. Are there minimum and maximum orders?, Retrieved 6/3/2022
- ^ Augusta Precious Metals. Augusta Gold & Silver IRA: Setup & Pricing Information, Retrieved 3/16/2022
- ^ Internal Revenue Service. Retirement Topics - IRA Contribution Limits, Retrieved 7/24/2023
- ^ Birch Gold Group. What is the Cost to Set Up and Maintain a Precious Metals IRA?, Retrieved 12/1/2022
- ^ Birch Gold Group. Quick Guide: Precious Metals IRAs, Retrieved 12/1/2022
- ^ Noble Gold. FAQs: What are the fees for my new Gold IRA?, Retrieved 9/19/2022
- ^ Internal Revenue Service. IRA FAQs - Distributions (Withdrawals), Retrieved 3/16/2022
- ^ U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investor Alert: Self-Directed IRAs and the Risk of Fraud, Retrieved 4/10/2022
- ^ Internal Revenue Service. IRA FAQs - Distributions (Withdrawals), Retrieved 7/24/2023
Jeremy Harshman is a creative assistant at CreditDonkey, a credit card comparison and reviews website. Write to Jeremy Harshman at jeremy.harshman@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
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