When it comes to protecting your retirement account against market volatility, inflation, and a pending recession, a gold IRA or precious metals IRA may be one of the best options at your disposal.
HowToInvestGold.com has reviewed and rated the 9+ best gold IRA companies of 2024 to help you identify the best option to grow and protect your wealth today.A gold IRA is a specialized, self-directed individual retirement account designed to hold physical gold and silver, and other precious metals. Just like traditional IRAs, a gold IRA allows pre-tax contributions, meaning that the investment earnings can accumulate tax-deferred.
Opening up a gold IRA account has many benefits, and can, for example, help you:
- Help you hedge against a weaker dollar, the CBDC (digital dollar), and inflation
- Limit exposure to economic uncertainty
- Mitigate the effects of geopolitical instability
- Diversify your portfolio
- Take real ownership of your financial future
To learn more, check out this video about the benefits of investing in a gold IRA:
Now, let’s get back to our best gold IRA companies guide. Below, we have reviewed and rated the top 9+ gold IRA companies in the industry to help you identify the best option to protect and grow your wealth today. Each company has been rigorously reviewed and vetted based on several critical factors:
- BBB/BCA Ratings and Complaints: We have analyzed Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance ratings and complaints to ensure the company’s credibility and reliability
- Customer Reviews: Real customer feedback provides valuable insights into the company’s service quality and customer satisfaction
- Annual Fees: Transparent fee structures can save you from unexpected costs
- Precious Metals Selection: A diverse range of investment options allows for a more tailored portfolio
- Storage Options: Secure and accessible storage is paramount for the safety of your investments
- Promotions: Special offers and promotions can add additional value to your investment
- Buy-Back Programs: Flexible buy-back programs ensure liquidity and ease of selling your assets
Whether you’re a retiree looking to safeguard your nest egg, an investor seeking diversification, or a financial planner advising clients, this list is designed to help you find the most reliable precious metals IRA company for your needs:
Top 9+ Gold IRA Companies Of 2024
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Here’s our list of the top 9+ gold IRA companies (reviewed & rated), starting with our winner Goldco Precious Metals:
1. Goldco: Best Overall Gold IRA Provider
2. Birch Gold Group: The Gold IRA Specialist
3. Golden Crest Metals: Best For Integrity & Trust
4. Noble Gold: Most Personalized Service
5. Colonial Metals Group: Best Buyback Guarantee
6. Augusta Precious Metals: Best For High-Income Investors
7. American Hartford Gold: Extensive Product Assortment
8. Gold Alliance: Affordable Gold IRA
9. American Coin Co: (Lawsuit Warning!)
10. BullionVault: Best Online Gold & Silver Trading Company
#1 Goldco: Best Overall Gold IRA Company
Goldco is our top choice for the best gold IRA and precious metals company for 2024. We believe that the company has earned its spot as the leading and most trusted provider of precious metals IRAs in the United States.
For one, Goldco’s mission is to help Americans protect their retirement savings accounts from stock market volatility and inflation through the use of precious metals, which they have successfully been doing for over a decade.
The company’s specialty has always been the sale and delivery of premium gold and silver coins that are IRA-approved, and in helping you identify which precious metals are right for you.
Second, Goldco offers unmatched customer service and an easy and free IRA rollover, where a precious metals specialist at Goldco holds your hand from start to finish.
Also, their ZERO fees, highest buy-back guarantee, A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, and AAA rating by the Business Consumer Alliance makes them the best and safest option to open up your gold IRA account.
Additionally, Goldco was honored as the Company of the Year in the 2021, 2022 & 2023 American Business Awards. And this year, Sean Hannity and Stew Peters, Mike Lindell, and Chuck Norris also endorsed Goldco and support the company’s growth initiatives to educate people about the benefits of buying gold and silver, as well as protecting their IRA, 401(k), TSP, or pension accounts with physical precious metals.
Goldco Gold Coins And Gold Bars
- Gold American Bald Eagle Coin
- Gold American Eagle Proof
- Gold American Eagle Coin
- Gold Buffalo Coin
- Gold Maple Leaf Coin
- Gold Lucky Dragon Coin
- Gold Australian Saltwater Crocodile Coin
- Royal Mint Gold Lunar Series: 2016-Year of the Monkey Coin
- Royal Mint Gold Lunar Series: 2017-Year of the Rooster Coin
- Royal Mint Gold Lunar Series: 2018-Year of the Dog Coin
- Royal Mint Gold Lunar Series: 2019-Year of the Pig Coin
- Numerous PAMP Suisse and Perth Mint gold bars of various sizes
Goldco Silver Coins
- Silver American Bald Eagle Coin
- Silver American Eagle Coin
- Silver American Eagle Proof Coin
- Silver Lucky Dragon Coin
- Silver Maple Leaf Coin
- Silver World War I Coin
- Silver WWII Victory Coin
- Silver Australian Saltwater Crocodile Coin
- Royal Mint Silver Britannia Lunar Series: 2015-Year of the Ram Coin
- Royal Mint Silver Britannia Lunar Series: 2016-Year of the Monkey Coin
- Royal Mint Silver Britannia Lunar Series: 2017-Year of the Rooster Coin
- Royal Mint Silver Britannia Lunar Series: 2018-Year of the Dog Coin
- Royal Mint Silver Britannia Lunar Series: 2019-Year of the Pig Coin
Goldco Verified And Recent Customer Reviews
#2. Birch Gold Group: The Gold IRA Specialist
Second on our list of the best gold IRA companies for 2024 is Birch Gold Group. With two decades in business, we can safely state that Birch Gold Group is an established and reputable gold IRA company.
Like the previous gold IRA companies, they have an A+ rating with the BBB and an AAA rating with the BCA. They’ve also managed to earn thousands of 5-star reviews, with more than 12,000 clients across the US.
The company’s educational, no-pressure sales approach and easy and stress-free gold IRA setup, makes them an excellent choice for a gold IRA company.
In addition, Birch Gold Group has been endorsed by Ben Shapiro, Steve Bannon, Dan Bongino, and many more popular political commentators and featured regularly in major news and media outlets. For instance, the partnership with Mr. Shapiro allows the public to learn more about their retirement savings options since Mr. Shapiro’s thoughts are that …
Mr. Shapiro even helped bring to the fore the option to rollover an IRA or eligible 401(k) into an IRA backed by physical gold and silver.
Lastly, Birch waives all setup fees for new accounts over $50,000, plus shipping fees on all cash purchases of $10,000 and more. Not to forget, their buy-back program makes it easy to liquidate your metals when it is time to sell.
Birch Gold Group Gold Coins And Gold Bars
- American Buffalo Coin
- American Gold Eagle
- American Gold Eagle
- Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
- Austrian Philharmonic Coin
- Australian Nugget/Kangaroo Coin
- Gold Gyrfalcon Coin
- Gold Polar Bear and Cub Coin
- Gold Rose Crown Guinea Coin
- Gold Twin Maples Coin
- Valcambi Combi Bars
- A Variety of Gold Bars and Rounds
Birch Silver Coins And Silver Bars
- America the Beautiful Silver Series
- American Silver Eagle
- American Silver Eagle
- Canadian Silver Maple Leaf
- Austrian Philharmonic Coin
- Australian Kookaburra Coin
- Mexican Libertad Coin
- Silver Gyrfalcon Coin
- Silver Polar Bear and Cub Coin
- Silver Rose Crown Guinea Coin
- Silver Twin Maples Coin
- A Variety of Silver Bars and Rounds
Platinum Coins And Bars
- American Platinum Eagle Coin
- A Variety of Platinum Bars and Rounds
Palladium Coins And Bars
- Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf Coin
- A Variety of Palladium Bars and Rounds
#3. Golden Crest Metals: Best For Integrity & Trust
In third place, we have Golden Crest Metals – a strong contender in the gold IRA industry despite limited time in business. Launched at the outset of 2024 and led by CEO, Rich Jacoby, Golden Crest Metals is charting a new course in redefining integrity and trust in an industry that has recently experienced its share of controversies. The firm’s commitment to transparent pricing and a non-aggressive sales approach has rapidly attracted a considerable client base in a notably competitive sector.
With opaque pricing mechanisms, misleading marketing tactics, and a lack of investor education and protection, Golden Crest Metals set out to create a company that would redefine the standards of integrity and trust in gold investment. In other words, the company’s focus on transparency, honesty, and trust makes them stand out in an otherwise wildly debated industry when it comes to integrity.
In addition, they are accredited by the BBB and have already gathered some 5-star reviews on verified review sites such as Trustpilot and Google. We also like that the company operates on smaller margins to ensure investors get the most for their money. Investors and people saving up for retirement should consider giving this relatively new gold dealer a chance for their precious metals investment.
Popular Gold Coins
Canda Gold Maple Leaf
American Eagle Gold Coins
Gold American Eagle Proofs Coins
Gold Australian Striped Marlin Coins
Gold Australian Sea Turtle Coins
Gold Maple Leaf Coins
American Gold Buffalo Coins
Popular Silver Coins
Silver American Eagle Coins
Silver American Eagle Proof Coins
Silver American Bald Eagle Coins
Silver Australian Striped Marlin Coins
Golden Crest Metals Verified And Recent Customer Reviews
Here are examples of some customer reviews on Google and Trustpilot. Customers rave about how easy it is to work with GoldenCrest Metals in regard to their gold IRA rollovers:
#4. Noble Gold Investments: Most Personalized Service
Making a name for yourself in the precious metals retirement investment sphere in just 7 years is not easy. And making a good name is that much harder. Noble Gold Investments has done just that. Despite their relative freshness as a brand, they consistently pop up as one of the top gold IRA companies available.
Noble Gold, based in Pasadena, California was established in 2017. Just like the other precious metals companies in this article, they focus on shielding Americans’ retirement savings from any number of economic calamities.
The company has an A+ rating with the BBB and an AA rating with the BCA, as well as remarkable customer reviews, practically spotless despite being in business for only 5 years. They also offer the best minimum IRA requirements in the sector, with $2,000 to open an IRA and a $5,000 rollover minimum.
Additionally, one of the stronger points of the company is the availability of IRA-eligible coins in numerous denominations. Likely due to their focus on precious metals dealership, they are able to offer IRA-eligible bullion in denominations that you simply will not find with most other gold IRA companies.
We also like that the company offers a FREE Masterclass on Gold Investments hosted by Kevin Sorbo from the movie Hercules. It teaches people how to create a bulletproof investment portfolio in economic crises.
Noble Gold Coins And Gold Bars
- American Eagle Gold Coin
- Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Coin
- Australian Gold Kangaroo Coin
- Australian Gold Philharmonic Coin
- Johnson Matthey 1 Kilo Gold Bar
- Perth Minth 10oz Gold Bar
- Pamp Suisse 100-Gram Gold Bar
- PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna Gold Bar
- And more.
Noble Gold Silver Coins And Silver Bars
- 1oz American Silver Eagle Silver Coin
- 5oz America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coin
- 1oz Canadian Maple Leaf Silver Coin
- Australian Silver Kangaroo Coin
- 1oz Austrian Silver Philharmonic Coin
- 1-kilo Australian Silver Coin
- 5oz Highland Mint Silver Bar
- 10oz Republic Metals Silver Bar
- 1oz Rand Refinery Silver Bar
- 100oz Republic Metals Silver Bar
- And more.
#5. Colonial Metals Group: Best Buyback Guarantee
Founded in Miami, Florida, Colonial Metals Group is a newcomer to the gold IRA industry, but it’s backed by a team of seasoned experts with extensive knowledge of the gold and silver markets. The company comes in fifth on our list despite its limited time in business.
We have seen how Colonial Metals is gaining a positive reputation online very fast with several 5-star reviews on verified review sites like Trustpilot. They also hold an A rating with the BBB and an AA rating with the BCA which shows credibility.
On the company’s website, it says:
“With decades of experience and a deep understanding of the industry, we have helped numerous clients earn more through precious metals investments.”
Colonial Metals Group prides itself on its commitment to sustainability and transparency. They offer a diverse selection of investment options, ranging from physical precious metals to rare coins. Understanding that each investor has unique goals, they craft personalized investment plans tailored to meet individual needs.
Additionally, Colonial Metals is endorsed as a key player in the precious metals industry by Jeanine Pirro, a well-respected former judge, television personality, and political commentator. Jeanine Pirro means:
Colonial Metals Group Reviews
Here’s a sample of some customer reviews on Trustpilot. As you can see, customers are pleased with the expert help they got from Paul at Colonial Metals when setting up a gold IRA:
#6. Augusta Precious Metals: High-Income Investors
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Sixth on our list of the best gold IRA companies of 2024 comes Augusta Precious Metals. The company is best for high-income investors that can invest $50K or more into a gold IRA or regular purchase.
Augusta has an excellent track record with hundreds of top reviews on watchdog sites like TrustLink and Trustpilot, as well as an A+ BBB rating and a AAA rating with the BCA. As a matter of fact, Augusta has been named:
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- “Most-Trusted Gold IRA Company” by IRA Gold Advisor
- “Best Overall” Gold IRA Company in 2022 & 2023 by Money Magazine
- And received “Best of TrustLink” 6 years in a row
Then there’s the fact that Augusta is endorsed by Hall of Fame quarterback and multimillionaire Joe Montana. He asked his personal financial team to find the best gold IRA company, and they found Augusta for him.
He attended the company’s unique one-on-one web conference and became a customer. Joe loved the company’s mission so much that he also became the company’s paid corporate ambassador.
What also stands out is that the company offers the most unique approach to customer education via its personal one-on-one web conference designed by on-staff Harvard-trained economist Devlyn Steele.
To conclude, Augusta Precious Metals has a well-oiled process for making your gold IRA rollover or transfer stress-free and easy together with IRA Specialists you can trust.
Augusta Precious Metals Gold And Silver Coins And Bars
- Gold American Eagle Proofs
- Gold American Eagle Coins
- Gold American Buffalo Coins
- Gold Canadian Eagle Coins
- Gold Canadian Maple Leaf Coins
- Australian Striped Marlin
- Gold or Silver Austrian Philharmonics
- Silver Canadian Eagle with Nest Coins
- Silver Canadian Soaring Eagle Coins
- Silver Canadian Maple Leaf Coins
- Silver American Eagle Coins
- Silver America the Beautiful Coins
- Gold or Silver Bullion Bars
Augusta Precious Metals BBB Reviews
To give you an overview of what some of Augusta’s happy customers are saying, here’s a sample of the company’s BBB reviews:
#7. American Hartford Gold: Extensive Product Assortment
No Fees for the First 3 Years in IRAs With a Minimum Account Purchase of $100,000
$10,000 in FREE SILVER on Qualified Purchases
Seventh on the list of our best gold IRA companies for 2024 comes American Hartford Gold. The company is known for a great product selection and for putting its clients at the forefront.
Despite “only” being in business since 2016, the California-based company has processed over $1 billion in transactions. A massive figure that is corroborated by the sheer amount of reviews they have compared to even some of their top competitors.
American Hartford Gold’s President Scott Gerlis comes from a family with an interest in numismatics, coin collecting, and the like. We don’t need to tell you that such a background is going to go a long way when it comes to how products are treated, and indeed, as we gloss over the inventory, we’ll see that Gerlis’ claims of being a coin aficionado are very much valid.
The company’s personalized customer support, 100% free IRA rollover, transparent and competitive fee structure, a remarkable palette of gold and silver bullion, plus the fact that they are rare coin collectors and enthusiasts make them a great choice of gold IRA company.
Additionally, the company is ranked #1 for Inc 5000 in the Precious Metals Vertical and is also endorsed by longtime Fox News television host and political commentator Bill O’ Reilly. Not to forget, “America’s Mayor” and Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, is also a client and sponsor of American Hartford Gold.
American Hartford Gold Coins And Gold Bars
- American Buffalo Gold Coins
- American Gold Eagle Gold Coins
- Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Gold Coins
- Austrian Gold Philharmonics Gold Coins
- Canadian Buffalo 2021 Gold Coins
- Canadian Gyrfalcon Gold Coins
- Australian Wildlife Gold Coins
- Saint Helena Sovereign Gold Coins
- 1 Ounce Gold Bar
- And more.
American Hartford Silver Coins And Silver Bars
- America the Beautiful Silver Series
- Saint Helena Sovereign Silver Coins
- American Silver Eagle Silver Coins
- Australian Wildlife Silver Coins
- Europa and the Bull Silver Coins
- South African Krugerrand Silver Coins
- Canadian Buffalo 2021 Silver Coins
- Canadian Gyrfalcon Silver Coins
- 2014 Canadian Arctic Fox Silver Coins
- A Variety of Silver Bars and Rounds
American Hartford Gold Trustpilot Reviews
To give you an overview of what American Hartford Gold’s customers are saying about the company, here’s a sample of their Trustpilot reviews:
#8. Gold Alliance: Affordable Gold IRA
Gold Alliance is eight on our list of the best and most trusted options for precious metals and gold IRA companies. The company has been the longest in business with over two decades of experience in the field and their gold IRAs are on the more affordable side.
Additionally, the company is ranked very highly on all the significant business ranking and review services – getting close to 5-star reviews each time and also has an A+ rating with the BBB and AAA rating by the Business Consumer Alliance. Additionally, most customers reported the highly professional and friendly customer service that they receive from Gold Alliance and access to a FREE consultation with a Gold Specialist.
Furthermore, Gold Alliance offers an extensive range of IRA-approved precious metals coins and bars and their maintenance fees are relatively low when compared with other vendors. They only charge $180 including insurance, storage, quarterly financial statements, and online access to your account.
Lastly, the company was named #1 Fastest-Growing Gold Company in America by Inc. 5000, and has been featured on Forbes, WSJ, Fox News, Bloomberg Business, Yahoo Finance, and USA Today. They are also exclusively recommended by Mike Huckabee – former governor of Arkansas.
Gold Alliance Gold & Silver Products
- American Eagle Gold Coins
- Gold American Eagle Proofs Coins
- Gold Australian Striped Marlin Coins
- Australian Gold Osprey Coins
- Liberty Gold Coins
- Gold Canadian Polar Bear Coins
- Gold Canadian Polar Bear & Cub Coins
- Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
- Silver American Eagle Coins
- Silver American Eagle Proof Coins
- American Silver Bald Eagle Coins
- Silver America The Beautiful Coins
- Canadian Silver White Falcon
- Silver Maple Leaf Coin
Gold Alliance Platinum & Palladium Products
- Platinum Canadian Maple Leaf
- Platinum British Britania
- Australian Platinum Striped Marlin
- Platinum Bar – 1 oz
- Palladium Bar – 1 oz
Gold Alliance Trustpilot Reviews
To give you an overview of what Gold Alliance’s customers are saying about the company, here’s a sample of their Trustpilot reviews:
#9. American Coin Co: Lawsuit Warning!
WARNING! WE NO LONGER RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY! American Coin Co was prior called Red Rock Secured and was involved in a lawsuit. The case, initiated in 2023, uncovered a fraudulent scheme targeting retirement account holders, resulting in losses exceeding $50 million. Through deceptive tactics, the defendants convinced investors to shift their retirement savings into gold and silver coins, promising minimal markups.>
In night place, we have American Coin Co. – a strong contender in the gold IRA industry despite limited information online. The company, run by CEO Brett Bultje, stands out as both a precious metals IRA manager and a plain old bullion vendor.
The company provides secure, discrete, fully insured shipping on your order, so you can invest with confidence. What’s unique for American Coin Co. is their zero out-of-pocket fees when you establish and fund your account with a trusted custodian. 90% of clients qualify for American Coin Co. to cover their administration and storage for a minimum of one to 10 years; many qualify for no fees for life.
Like Augusta, American Coin Co. focuses on education and offers free virtual educational webinars, plus one on one consult with gold IRA educators. This is beneficial for the investor who wants to learn more before taking the step of opening a gold IRA.
Lastly, their price protection plan ensures that if the price of gold or silver should decline within seven days of your purchase, American Coin Co. will cover the difference in more precious metals on qualified accounts. Overall, American Coin Co. is a legitimate precious metals dealer suited for a wide variety of investors.
American Coin Co. Bullion
1-oz Silver American Eagle
1-oz Gold American Buffalo
1-oz Gold American Eagle
1-oz Gold Bar
1-oz Gold Canadian Maple Leaf
1-oz Gold South African Krugerrand
1-oz Silver Bar
10-oz Silver Bar
100-Gram Silver Valcambi Bar
1-oz Silver Round
10-Gram Gold Bar
1-oz Silver Canadian Maple Leaf
10-oz Gold Bar
Gold Bar 1-Kilo
Gold Bar 50-gram Valcambi CombiBar
Platinum Bar 1-oz
Platinum American Eagle 1-oz
Platinum Canadian Maple Leaf 1-oz
Silver Bar 100-oz
Palladium Bar 1-oz
1-oz Silver South African Krugerrand
Premium Precious Metals
1/2-oz Silver Canadian Red-Tailed Hawk
1/10-oz Gold Canadian Red-Tailed Hawk
1-oz Gold American Eagle Proof
1/2-oz Gold American Eagle Proof
1/4-oz Gold American Eagle Proof
1/10-oz Gold American Eagle Proof
Gold American Eagle 4-pc Set
Gold American Eagle 2-pc Set
1/4-oz Gold Rose Crown Guinea
1-oz Silver American Eagle Proof
1.5-oz Silver Canadian Arctic Fox
1.5-oz Silver Canadian Polar Bear
1.5-oz Silver Canadian Polar Bear & Cub
1.25-oz Silver Canadian Rose Crown Guinea
1.5-oz Silver Canadian Grizzly Bear
1/4-oz Gold Canadian Arctic Fox
1-oz Platinum American Eagle Proof
1/4-oz Gold Canadian Polar Bear & Cub
5-oz Silver America the Beautiful
1/4-oz Gold Canadian Gyrfalcon
1.5-oz Silver Canadian Gyrfalcon
Gold British Queens Beast 0.25-oz White Greyhound 2021
1/4-oz Gold Canadian Red-Tailed Hawk
1-oz Gold American Buffalo Proof – Current Year
Franklin Half Dollar Circulated
1964 JFK Half Dollar BU
1964 JFK Half Dollar Circulated
Silver Mercury Dime Circulated
Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollar Circulated
Silver Peace $1 – Circulated
Silver Peace $1 – BU
Silver 90% Junk by Face Value
*10. BullionVault: Best Online Gold & Silver Trading Company
As a bonus contender on our list of the best gold IRA companies of 2024 we present BullionVault. The company differs from our other precious metals companies in the sense that it is one of the largest online bullion dealers in the world. Even though their main focus is on gold and silver trading, the company offers precious metals IRAs as well.
With BullionVault, individuals can easily invest in gold, silver, and platinum that they can choose to store at home or in secure vaults in Zurich, London, Toronto, Singapore, or New York.
BullionVault is not rated by the BBB since the company is registered in the UK. However, BullionVault has excellent customer reviews and is seen as a trusted and respected online gold dealer, which has served its customers for over two decades.
Besides, BullionVault is partially owned by the World Gold Council, allowing customers to have direct access to the professional bullion market. We would say that BullionVault is the ideal precious metals dealer for international investors just starting out, as well as professional gold and silver traders.
BullionVault Gold Coins And Gold Bars
- Nugget/Kangaroo Gold Coin
- Philharmonic Gold Coin
- Britannia Gold Coin
- Sovereign Gold Coin
- Maple Gold Coin
- Krugerrand Gold Coin
- Eagle Gold Coin
- Gold Bars in Many Shapes and Sizes
Silver Coins And Silver Bars
- Britannia 1 Oz Silver Coin 2017
- Maple Leaf 1 Oz Silver Coin 2017
- American Eagle 1 Oz Silver Coin 2017
- Austrian Philharmonic 1 Oz Silver Coin 2017
- Chinese Panda 30g Silver Coin 2017
- Australian Kangaroo 1 Oz Silver Coin 2017
- Pamp 100g Silver Minted Bar
- Pamp 1kg Silver Cast Bar
- Valcambi 1000 Oz Silver Bar 2012
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Now, let us cover some common questions and answers about opening a gold IRA account.
Common Gold IRA Questions & Answers
Even though you have come this far to look for the best gold IRA companies to open a gold IRA account with, you may still have questions.
To hopefully answer all of them, we have listed some common questions and answers about gold IRAs. Feel free to use the quick links in the TOC list to jump straight to any section:
What Is A Gold IRA?
To begin, a gold IRA is a specialized, self-directed individual retirement account designed to hold gold and silver, and other metals.
Just like traditional IRAs, a gold IRA allows pre-tax contributions, meaning that the investment earnings can accumulate tax-deferred.
A gold IRA (also called a precious metals IRA) differs from a traditional IRA in the sense that it strictly holds physical gold, silver, or other metals.
In contrast to a gold IRA, a regular IRA typically holds paper assets such as stocks, bonds, EFTs, funds, and so forth.
Benefits Of A Gold IRA
In uncertain times like these, it is more important than ever to turn to assets that help you hedge against inflation and other economic stresses to help strengthen your savings.
Opening up a gold IRA account has many benefits, and can, for example, help you:
• Help you hedge against a weaker dollar, the CBDC (digital dollar), and inflation
• Limit exposure to economic uncertainty
• Mitigate the effects of geopolitical instability
• Diminish negative fallout from the coronavirus economic crisis
• Diversify your portfolio
• Take real ownership of your financial future
For more information, you can visit our article on gold IRA pros and cons – is a gold IRA right for you?
Are There Different Types Of Self-Directed Gold IRAs?
Yes, there are two types of gold IRAs available:
1. Traditional-Based Gold IRA
With a traditional IRA, the contributions you make are tax-deductible (subject to income limitations). When you start taking distributions from your gold IRA, the amounts withdrawn are taxable as ordinary income. And you can start taking distributions without penalty when you are age 59½.
Traditional IRAs may be good choices for those individuals who anticipate finding themselves in a lower tax bracket once they reach retirement.
That way, they can realize tax benefits from their contributions during higher-bracket working years and pay taxes at a lower rate on withdrawals once they retire.
Note that a traditional IRA – including a traditional gold IRA – comes with a required minimum distribution (RMD) mandate. This means that you must begin taking annual distributions from your IRA starting at the age of 72.
2. Roth-Based Gold IRA
In contrast to a traditional IRA, with a Roth gold IRA, the contributions you make are NOT tax-deductible. This means there is no tax benefit generated from your account contributions that you will enjoy during your working years.
However, when you make withdrawals from your Roth IRA, you do not have to pay taxes on the distributions as you do with a traditional IRA.
Roth IRAs may be a prudent account choice for those individuals who believe the tax bracket they’re in during their working years is lower than the one they’ll be in once they retire.
They will not receive a tax benefit from their contributions while they’re still working, but they won’t pay taxes at all on their withdrawals during retirement when they’re in a higher tax bracket.
Additionally, there is no required minimum distribution feature for a Roth IRA. Something else to be aware of is that as of 2024, your modified annual income must be less than $161,000 as a single tax filer or $240,000 as a joint tax filer in order to contribute to a Roth IRA.
Please be aware that the guidelines presented here for both traditional and Roth IRAs are very broad. Before choosing between a traditional and Roth IRA, you should consult with your tax advisor to ensure you’re making the best decision on behalf of your own particular tax profile.
Do I Need To Pay Taxes On My Gold IRA?
By investing in a gold IRA, you will diversify your retirement portfolio on a tax-deferred basis and maintain the tax preferential treatment.
For this reason, transferring or rolling over a portion of your existing IRA account into a gold IRA will not trigger any tax implications. In other words, you do not have to pay taxes on your contributions until you withdraw them.
However, there are limitations on how much you can contribute to these accounts each year, but these limits can change from year to year. Your gold IRA company will be updated on these rules.
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What Are The Fees Of A Gold IRA?
A precious metals IRA or gold IRA often comes with higher fees than a traditional or Roth IRA that invests solely in paper assets.
Typically, there are 3 sets of fees charged with a gold IRA:
1. Account Setup Fee
The one-time account setup fee is around $50 to $150 but most companies waive this fee nowadays.
2. Admin/Custodial Fee
Except for the setup fee, there is also an annual administrative or custodial fee, ranging from $50 to $150 depending on the account’s size.
3. Storage Fee
Lastly, storage fees are also charged by the depository ranging from $100 to $150 annually, depending on the amount of gold being stored. Plus, if you prefer segregated storage or non-segregated storage.
*4. How Do Gold IRA Companies Make Their Money
In most cases, companies charge a markup/commission to make money.
Instead of the regular commission for purchasing or selling gold, most gold IRA companies add a “markup” to the spot price, which is essentially their take to facilitate the transaction.
Should I Buy Gold Bars Or Gold Coins?
When purchasing gold for your gold IRA, you can choose between bullion bars and sovereign coins.
The IRS has established guidelines for metal “fineness” standards to determine whether gold or silver in the form of bullion bars or coins is acceptable for a gold IRA.
This means that the IRS only allows specific gold and silver coins and bars, such as:
- Gold or Silver American Eagles
- Gold or Silver American Eagles (Proof coins)
- Gold or Silver American Buffalos
- Gold or Silver Canadian Maple Leafs
- Gold or Silver Austrian Philharmonics
- Silver America the Beautiful Coins
- Gold or Silver Bullion Bars
- American Silver Eagles
- And more.
No matter what bullion or coins you choose, a reliable gold IRA company knows what is and what is not acceptable for a gold IRA. While both are essentially valued in the same way—per ounce based on the spot price of gold, coins may be easier to trade and tend to sell at higher premiums than bullion bars.
Besides, the markups are often higher on small bullion bars. And large bars are more suited for institutional investors. However, all the gold IRA companies (listed above) offer favorable buy-back programs for both coins and bullion.
How Do I Fund My Gold IRA?
Opening a gold IRA is great, but having it funded with an existing plan is even better. All gold IRA companies listed in this article assist with performing rollovers of various kinds, including:
• The full or partial rollover of a 401(k) or similar retirement account
• The full or partial rollover of a 401(k), TSP, or similar inactive retirement account
• Rollovers of less common plans and accounts, such as SIMPLE or SEP IRA
When working with any of these gold IRA companies, rollovers are not as troubling as they may seem.
The rollover is handled by a specialist on behalf of the custodian company, as well as any administration that the gold IRA company may employ. And the new gold IRA can be funded by several IRAs or receive only part of the funds that would go into another IRA.
Can I Rollover My 401(k) Into Gold?
Yes.
In fact, many people who choose to invest in a gold IRA are using funds they acquired while using a traditional IRA or company-managed 401(k). Additionally, retirees also make the switch to gold with accounts they take with them upon leaving the workforce.
Many choose to roll over just a portion of their IRA or 401(k) to a gold IRA as a way to diversify their nest egg, which should always be the way to go. Learn more in our ultimate gold IRA guide.
Where Should I Store The Gold In My IRA?
IRS regulation has mandated that the bullion in your IRA rests with a certified depository, an entity separate from the custodian who will manage your daily paperwork. Needless to say, you cannot keep your IRA gold in a home safe, safety deposit box, or under the mattress.
Most gold IRA companies partner with different custodians that are carefully vetted and will make sure your metals are stored safely.
But if none of them are what you find suitable, you can introduce a depository of your own to the mix, provided it is compliant with regulations.
For example, Brink’s, the Delaware Depository, and IDS are fairly similar. While only IDS among the three offers segregated storage, all three have a similar set of bonuses:
• A standalone facility where the bullion is processed
• Both the facility and its vaults are managed using the best technology available to the depository
• They have security measures like high-defense vaults and electronic systems
• Adding to that, their assets are insured with a multi-fold policy
Generally, the company handles transportation logistics as well as insurance coverage.
Note: It is up to you to confirm that any company you invest with has all the required licenses, registrations, insurance, and bonds to protect your investment. So, ask for verification of those licenses and other information.
When Can I Take Distributions?
If you are at the qualified age to start getting disbursements from your account (usually 59 ½ ), you can choose to take funds in cash value. Or you can have the actual metals shipped to you directly
But be aware that you will be taxed accordingly and be responsible for any liability to the IRS for early withdrawals. The bottom line is that you should treat a gold IRA as a long-term investment for retirement and hold it to maturity.
Note: Remember that you have to start taking payments at 70 ½.
How To Start A Gold IRA
If you are interested in physical precious metals, starting a gold IRA is easy! Simply, fill out this online application and a precious metals specialist will contact you within 15 minutes. Filling out the short form will also grant you access to a Gold IRA Guide or Investment Kit that will be shipped to you for free. This comprehensive guide will give you all the information you need to make informed decisions about your investment.
To establish an account, you’ll need to provide personally identifiable information like your social security number. If you don’t have a precious metals custodian company, your chosen gold IRA company will help you set up an account with one of their preferred custodian companies.
This is the gold IRA setup process in short:
âś“ Sign Your Agreement
To secure your precious metals purchase and understand the company’s terms of doing business, you will review, approve and sign a standard customer agreement.
âś“ Fund Your Account
There are different ways to fund your account, and those are typically either sending funds through a bank wire, or simply mailing a check to the gold IRA company of your choice’s office.
âś“ Select Your Precious Metals
As soon as you have funds in your account, it’s time to start thinking about which precious metals to add to it. You get to pick and then the gold IRA investment firm handles the shipping. Plus, you can choose to have your coins delivered to an independent insured depository, sent straight to you, or you might even qualify for free storage (ask your provider).
How To Manage The Precious Metals In Your Account?
After the account is open and funded, getting started can feel a bit prohibitive. Even the die-hard gold investor might find some disagreements over the coin denomination to invest in. Those with less intent can succumb to external factors more easily, and in finance, these are always within arm’s reach.
All precious metals fulfill the same purpose in your account relative to other assets. More than likely, they are a form of hedge and were bought with safety in mind. But relative to each other, precious metals can have very varied utility.
Reasons for wanting your gold IRA to include:
Gold
- The most defensive of the four and the safest pick. Gold has the least volatility to the downside, therefore often lacking explosive price action. It behaves remarkably in any crisis scenario, even when the setting is unprecedented.
- The industrial aspect is present but limited. Though gold has plenty of utility and uses in manufacturing in a range of industries, it is mostly viewed as an investment metal. Even those buying gold jewelry often think about its pricing in weight down the line.
- The widest range of investment options, in an IRA and outside it, and the most represented of the precious metals. Collectors and IRA investors alike will be strapped for choice when picking items from the inventory.
Silver
- On the precious metals scene, oftentimes gold’s opposite. It is always both a safety play and a defensive one, as the metal never leaves this role on a broader scale. But within the precious metals spectrum, silver behaves differently from gold despite following its price.
- Those who buy silver do not do it because it is cheaper than gold, as the saying goes, but because of its specific range of benefits. The metal has a huge manufacturing side, with green technology growing more popular. Any significant impacts in demand from the manufacturing sector would greatly benefit silver’s price.
- A similarly varied range of investment options for gold, including many new and old coin varieties that can either be held in an IRA or outside it. Gold and silver both have a very pronounced sector of coin enthusiasts compared to the other two precious metals.
Platinum and Palladium
- Within the context of precious metals, these could be considered industrial metals. They are every bit as volatile as silver but for different reasons. Palladium’s valuations exceed gold these days. Meanwhile, platinum, historically gold’s equal in price, sits around roughly half it.
- Both platinum and palladium have a strained mine supply. Not a lot is being mined, and mining is highly localized. In palladium’s case, for example, nearly 40% of annual production comes from one country. This has contributed to the metal soaring to new all-time highs. Despite a dearth of supply, technologies making use of both platinum and palladium are on the rise.
- One might think that platinum and palladium will have few investment options, but that is not the case. Besides a range of bars, plenty of investors are interested in sovereign coins made from either platinum or palladium.
Final Thoughts: Building A Gold IRA That Lasts
When it comes to your retirement, a gold IRA can help you diversify, protect, and grow your retirement savings account, as well as help you hedge against a weaker dollar, CBDC’s digital dollar, and inflation.
Even though your current investment situation and future goals are all unique, each of these gold investment companies has the expertise and knowledge to help you achieve the retirement of your dreams.
So, start by requesting any of these companies’ gold IRA information kits/guides, and a representative will reach out to you and provide you with all the information you’ll need to make the best investment choice for your future.