Can I Roll My IRA Into Gold or Silver? Yes, and Here’s How

Ever worried that the dollars in your IRA might not be worth as much down the road thanks to inflation? You’re not alone. Many people are concerned about the long-term value of the US dollar and are looking for ways to diversify their retirement accounts. The good news is you have options to invest in alternative assets like precious metals. Yes, you can roll over part or all of your IRA into gold and silver. 

Understanding Gold and Silver IRAs

If you’re interested in diversifying your retirement savings, a gold or silver IRA could be an attractive option. These precious metal IRAs allow you to invest in physical gold and silver bullion bars and coins. The process to set one up is pretty straightforward.

First, you’ll need to find an IRA custodian that offers gold and silver IRAs. These are specialty custodians that can hold physical precious metals. They will help you open a self-directed IRA which gives you more investment options than a traditional IRA. You fill out an application, provide some personal information, and fund your new account.

Next, you choose a gold and silver dealer to buy your metals from. Your custodian will likely have a list of approved dealers they regularly work with. These dealers sell IRS-approved gold and silver products that meet the purity requirements for precious metal IRAs. You’ll want to compare prices from a few places to get the best deal.

Once you decide on a dealer, you place your order and the metals are shipped directly to your IRA custodian for storage. They verify the products meet the IRS requirements before adding them to your IRA account. Your custodian securely stores the physical gold and silver for you and provides regular statements tracking the value of your holdings.

The process of funding a gold or silver IRA and purchasing the metals typically only takes a few business days. While the value of your investments will fluctuate over time based on the price of precious metals, many people see these IRAs as an important way to diversify for the long run. And the best part is, like a traditional IRA, the profits can grow tax-deferred until you start making withdrawals in retirement.

Why Roll Over Your IRA Into Precious Metals?

Why would you want to roll over your IRA into precious metals like gold and silver? There are a few good reasons:

• Protection from inflation. Precious metals tend to hold their value during times of high inflation, unlike paper currencies. If the dollar declines in value, the buying power of your IRA could be at risk. Gold and silver can help hedge against that risk.
• Diversification. Most IRAs are heavily invested in paper assets like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Precious metals provide diversity and stability to your retirement portfolio. They tend to move independently of the stock market, so they can balance out volatility.
• Rising demand. Gold and silver have been seen as a store of value for centuries. As the global population and middle class grow, the demand for precious metals is likely to rise. That upward trend can positively impact the value of your gold and silver IRA holdings.
• Geopolitical uncertainty. When there is turmoil or uncertainty in the world, precious metal prices often rise as people buy them as a “safe haven.” Events like global conflicts, terrorism fears, or cyber threats can all drive gold and silver demand and pricing.
• Tangible assets. Precious metals you can hold in your hand feel more secure to some investors than paper assets. Gold and silver will always have intrinsic value, unlike currencies that can become worthless. For that reason, some see them as the ultimate insurance policy for any investment portfolio.

If any of these reasons resonate with you, rolling over your IRA into gold and silver could be a smart strategic move.

Talk to your financial advisor to determine if it’s right for your situation and long-term financial goals. A little portfolio diversification and stability can go a long way.

How to Roll Over Your IRA Into Gold and Silver

Once you have an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) set up, the funds within it can be invested in a variety of ways, like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and CDs. Did you know you can also roll over some or all of your IRA funds into physical gold and silver? Here’s how to do it:

Find an IRA custodian that allows gold and silver

Not all IRA custodians permit alternative investments like precious metals. Look for ones that specialize in gold and silver IRAs, such as Goldco, Regal Assets, or Noble Gold Investments. They can walk you through the process and handle all the paperwork.

Fund your IRA and choose your metals

After funding your IRA, you can select approved gold and silver products to invest in, such as gold bars, rounds, and coins (like American Eagles) or silver bars and rounds. The custodian will source and purchase the metals on your behalf.

Metals are stored in a depository

The gold and silver in your IRA are held in a depository on your behalf. Reputable depositories provide maximum security, insurance, and segregated storage of your metals to ensure they are protected and accounted for.

Take distributions or rollovers when needed

When you reach retirement age, your gold and silver can be liquidated and the funds transferred to your bank as cash. Alternatively, the physical metals can be distributed to you directly. You can also roll over or transfer your precious metals IRA to another custodian if needed, just like a traditional IRA.

Rolling over your IRA into physical gold and silver is a way to diversify your retirement savings and hedge against market volatility. The process is straightforward but does require the help of a reputable IRA custodian to set up and administer your account. They can help ensure it’s done properly in compliance with IRA regulations. Your nest egg will thank you for the precious metals insurance policy!

IRA Rollover Options: Move Funds From 401(k)s and Other Accounts

So you have an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) and you’re wondering if you can roll it over into precious metals like gold or silver. The good news is yes, you absolutely can. There are a couple of options for doing an IRA rollover into precious metals.

Self-Directed IRA

A self-directed IRA allows you to invest in alternative assets like precious metals. You can roll over funds from 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and other IRAs into a self-directed IRA. Then you can use those funds to purchase gold, silver, platinum or palladium coins or bullion. The metals are stored on your behalf with an IRA-approved depository.

Checkbook IRA

A checkbook IRA also gives you more flexibility and control over your retirement investments. With a checkbook IRA, the funds remain in your account rather than being transferred to a custodian. You write checks or make wire transfers directly from your IRA to buy or sell precious metals and other alternative assets. The metals must still be stored with an approved depository, but you have more direct control over transactions.

The key benefit of doing an IRA rollover into gold and silver is that any gains in the value of the metals are tax-deferred until you start taking distributions in retirement. Precious metals also provide diversification and a hedge against inflation that paper assets like stocks and bonds do not.

There are a few additional things to keep in mind, however:

• There are custodial and depository fees for holding precious metals in an IRA. Make sure you understand all fees before doing a rollover.
• The IRA must hold the physical metals, not just shares in a gold or silver ETF.
• Only certain types of gold and silver products are allowed in an IRA, like specific coins and bars. Collectibles are not permitted.
• You must start taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) at age 72 to avoid tax penalties, even if the value of your gold and silver has not appreciated yet.

Choosing Between a Gold IRA and Silver IRA

So you’ve decided to diversify your retirement funds into precious metals. The next step is choosing whether to roll your IRA into gold or silver. Both gold and silver IRAs have their advantages, so consider your investment goals and risk tolerance before deciding.

A gold IRA allows you to invest in physical gold bars, rounds and coins. Gold is seen as a stable store of value, especially during times of market volatility or inflation. The value of gold often moves independently of the stock market. However, the price of gold can fluctuate over time based on the global economy and geopolitical events.

A silver IRA provides exposure to physical silver bars, rounds and coins. Silver is more affordable than gold, so you can buy more ounces for your money. Silver also has industrial uses, so its price can rise along with increased manufacturing and technology demand. However, silver is typically more volatile than gold, so the value of your silver IRA may fluctuate more.

Both precious metals IRAs provide tax benefits since you can buy and sell gold and silver without paying capital gains taxes. The metals are stored on your behalf by an IRS-approved depository. You can take distributions from a precious metals IRA without penalty at age 59 1⁄2 and later.

In the end, you need to go with what you’re most comfortable with and matches your financial goals. If you want an inflation hedge and stable store of value, gold may be better. If you want an affordable precious metal that may appreciate more in value over time, consider silver. You can also choose to invest in both gold and silver to diversify your precious metals IRA.

Talk to your financial advisor about whether a gold IRA, silver IRA, or a combination of the two is right for your situation. They can help you select reputable gold and silver dealers, review investment options and set up your self-directed IRA account so you can start investing in tangible assets that will hold value for years to come.

Choosing Between a Gold IRA and Silver IRA

When it comes to your IRA, the IRS allows you to invest in certain gold and silver coins and bars. The key is to choose options that meet the minimum fineness requirements.

Gold Coins

The most popular gold coins for IRAs are American Gold Eagles and Canadian Maple Leafs. These contain 22 karats or .999 fine gold, so they easily meet the IRS’s 99.5% purity requirement.

Silver Coins

For silver, American Silver Eagles and Canadian Silver Maple Leafs are excellent choices. These contain .999 fine silver, surpassing the 99.9% purity needed for IRAs.

Gold and Silver Bars

You can also invest in gold and silver bars. Look for bars produced by reputable refiners like Credit Suisse, PAMP Suisse, Valcambi or Sunshine Minting. They offer bars in sizes from 1 ounce up to 100 ounces. As with coins, the gold must be .995 fine and silver .999 fine to qualify for IRAs.

Some other considerations when choosing gold and silver for your IRA:

• Sizes – Opt for smaller sizes which are more affordable and easier to sell if needed. 1 ounce, 5 ounce and 10 ounce sizes are popular.
• Premiums – Compare premiums, the amount over the melt value. Government-issued coins typically have lower premiums than rare coins.
• Storage fees – Ask about any annual storage fees charged by the IRA custodian to store your precious metals.
• Buyback policy – Ensure the dealer offers a competitive buyback policy in case you want to sell in the future.
• Trusted source – Only buy from reputable precious metal IRA dealers to avoid scams. Check ratings and reviews.

By choosing approved gold and silver coins and bars and a trusted IRA custodian, you can confidently rollover funds from your existing IRA or 401(k) into physical precious metals. This provides the opportunity for tax-advantaged gains if gold and silver prices rise over time. But as with any investment, there is also market risk, so do your research to determine if this strategy is right for your needs and financial goals.

Finding a Trustworthy Gold and Silver IRA Company

Finding a trustworthy company to handle your gold and silver IRA rollover is critical. There are a few factors to consider when evaluating potential firms:

Experience and Credentials

Look for a company that has at least 5-10 years of experience assisting clients with precious metals IRAs. They should have certified IRA specialists on staff and credentials proving their expertise, like the Certified Gold Exchange Specialist (CGES) designation. An established company will be familiar with the rules around IRA rollovers and stay up-to-date with the latest IRS regulations.

Storage and Security

Your gold and silver needs to be stored at an IRS-approved depository. Reputable companies will use established depositories like Delaware Depository or Brinks Global Services that provide state-of-the-art security like armed guards, video surveillance, motion detectors, and fireproof vaults. For the safety of your assets, avoid any company that stores metals themselves.

Transparency and Reporting

Choose a company that provides transparent pricing, detailed statements, and regular reporting. You should receive updates on your metal values at least annually, including current market prices of your holdings. Statements should clearly list details of the specific coins or bars you own. Some companies provide online access to your account 24/7 so you can check on your investment at any time.

Buyback Policy

Establish upfront what the company’s policy is for buying back your metals when you’re ready to liquidate or take distributions. Reputable gold IRA firms will buy back your metals at the current market price based on the purity and weight, without hidden fees or excessive shipping/insurance charges. Ensure there are no penalties for selling back to them versus another dealer.

Fees

Compare the fees different companies charge, like set-up costs, annual account fees, and brokerage commissions. While fees shouldn’t be the only factor, lower overall fees mean more of your money is working for you. Typical fees for a self-directed gold IRA range from $200 to $500 per year.

By choosing a trustworthy gold and silver IRA company with competitive pricing, transparent policies, and a proven track record of success, you can feel confident rolling over your existing IRA into physical precious metals. Do your due diligence and you’ll find a firm well-suited to help you diversify your retirement portfolio.

How Much Can You Contribute to a Gold or Silver IRA?

As with any IRA, there are limits to how much you can contribute to a gold or silver IRA each year. The contribution limits are set by the IRS and change slightly each year based on inflation. For 2021, the limits are:

• $6,000 annual contribution limit if you’re under age 50.
• $7,000 annual contribution limit if you’re age 50 or older (called the “catch-up contribution”).

The contribution limits apply to the total you contribute across all of your IRAs for the year, not just your precious metals IRA. So if you already contribute $3,000 to a traditional IRA, you could contribute $3,000 to $4,000 to a gold IRA, depending on your age.

You have until the tax filing deadline, usually April 15 of the following year, to make IRA contributions for the current tax year. For example, you have until April 15, 2022 to make contributions for the 2021 tax year.

The type of precious metals you can hold in your IRA will depend on the IRA custodian you choose. The most common options are:

• Gold: Bars (1 oz, 10 oz, kilo) and rounds (1 oz).
• Silver: Bars (1 oz, 10 oz, 100 oz), rounds (1 oz) and bags of 90% silver U.S. coins (also called “junk silver”).
• Platinum: Bars (1 oz) and rounds (1 oz).
• Palladium: Bars (1 oz) and rounds (1 oz).
• You can also invest in gold and silver mining stocks through a self-directed IRA.

Contributing the maximum amount each year, consistently over time, is the best way to build up a substantial balance in your precious metals IRA. Letting your contributions compound tax-deferred over many years can really pay off when you start taking distributions in retirement. The sooner you open and start funding a gold IRA, the better.

Talk to your IRA custodian for details on purchasing and taking delivery of physical precious metals for your IRA. They can walk you through the process and any extra paperwork needed to complete a rollover or transfer of funds from an existing IRA.

Gold and Silver IRA FAQs: Common Questions Answered

So, you want to rollover your IRA into precious metals like gold and silver. Great idea! This can be a smart way to diversify your retirement holdings. Here are some of the most common questions and answers to help you through the process.

Can I roll my IRA in gold or silver?