Gold IRAs can be funded either by rolling over pretax funds from other retirement accounts, or opening one from scratch. There may be one-time setup and annual custodian fees attached.
The IRS allows Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) to hold approved bullion products such as coins and bars that meet minimum fineness requirements in their IRA accounts; however, investors cannot physically possess them themselves at home or within safe deposit boxes.
Precious Metals Specialist
Gold can be an important investment, but should only form part of a diversified portfolio. Gold’s price fluctuates and buying at its peak could cost you money; however, investing in a gold IRA may be an ideal way to protect against inflation while diversifying your retirement savings account.
When setting up a gold IRA, it’s crucial that you find an easy process and company. Many of these companies provide buyback options without additional fees for shipping back the precious metals back home without incurring additional costs. Furthermore, these firms typically provide various investment options as well as secure storage. Oxford Gold Group is one such firm which has been providing these services since 2018 and is accredited with the Better Business Bureau.
Self-Directed IRA
Self-Directed IRAs allow account owners to invest their retirement savings in alternative assets such as precious metals. Investors may use this type of account to purchase physical gold, silver and platinum bullion from reliable distributors; or purchase stocks of these companies or ETFs that track performance against an index for investing purposes.
As with any investment account, opening and managing a Self-Directed IRA incurs fees similar to any other. There may be one-time account setup charges and annual custodian fees for transactions and assets held in it; there may also be storage fees due to IRS requirements that precious metals be stored at an IRS approved facility; though these expenses can quickly add up, some companies offer buyback opportunities which could reduce these expenses significantly.
Brokerage
Gold IRAs are unique Individual Retirement Accounts that permit physical precious metals to be held within them, following all of the same distribution timing rules and requiring more hands-on management from account owners than traditional or Roth IRAs. Reputable precious metal distributors can assist in helping find suitable products to purchase for an IRA and thus prevent unnecessary fees.
Gold IRAs can be great investments, but should always form part of a more diverse portfolio. Due to being concentrated in just one asset class, they may face risks in the market; additionally, unlike stocks and bonds which pay dividends or yield, the price of gold will not decrease to zero since supply of this precious metal is limited and highly desired.
Custodian
Custodians are companies that oversee your gold IRA and report its status to the IRS. A custodian can assist in investing in physical precious metals, including gold bullion bars and coins, while providing storage services as needed at approved depository institutions.
Gold IRAs allow you to invest your savings either with cash or by rolling over funds from an existing retirement account. You may also opt to open one from scratch.
Gold IRAs have grown increasingly popular due to their ability to diversify a portfolio and protect against inflation. But before making your decision about whether a gold IRA suits your unique goals and finances, be sure to speak with a financial advisor like Augusta Precious Metals who can guide the process for you.
Storage
Many investors like to keep their precious metals stored at home for easy access; however, this practice is prohibited with gold IRAs as the IRS treats such storage as an act of distribution that incurs both income taxes and an IRS 10% penalty on such investments.
Your custodian should store your precious metals at an approved depository of the IRS. At these facilities, gold can either be combined or allocated.
If you are seeking out a reputable precious metals IRA company, ensure it offers competitive prices and excellent customer service. Inquire about their accreditation platforms as well as any fees they charge (from brokerage fees to account setup and annual maintenance).