Independent · Editorially Rated
A calm, transparent guide to holding physical gold inside a retirement account — how the structure works, exactly what it costs, where the metal is stored, and which companies have earned our highest editorial marks.
How a gold IRA works
A self-directed gold IRA is a familiar retirement account with one difference: it holds physical metal instead of paper. Here is the entire arc, start to finish. Read the full guide.
You open a self-directed IRA with a specialized custodian, then fund it — most commonly by a direct rollover or trustee-to-trustee transfer from an existing 401(k) or IRA. Done correctly, that transfer is not a taxable event.
Rollover · Transfer · New contribution
Working with a precious-metals company, you select eligible bullion that meets IRS purity standards — for gold, generally 99.5% fine. The dealer prices against the spot market and coordinates the purchase inside your IRA.
Gold · Silver · Platinum · Palladium
Your metal is shipped to an IRS-approved depository — names like Delaware Depository or Brinks — and held in insured, segregated or allocated storage under your account. You never take personal possession while it sits in the IRA.
Insured · Segregated · Allocated
The transparent fee breakdown
Gold IRA pricing has just four moving parts. Once you see them laid out, the whole thing stops feeling opaque. Figures below are illustrative industry ranges, not any one company's quote.
Read the full fees guide →A one-time fee to open the self-directed IRA and process the initial paperwork. Some companies waive it as a promotion.
The annual cost of administering the account — recordkeeping, IRS reporting, and statements. Sometimes a flat fee, sometimes scaled to balance.
Insured vault storage of your physical metal at an IRS-approved depository. Segregated (your own bars) usually costs more than commingled.
The margin over spot the dealer charges on the metal itself. This is the single biggest variable — transparent, spot-based pricing matters most here.
Ranges are illustrative and gathered from publicly stated industry norms — they are not a specific company's fee schedule and not a quote. Always confirm exact, current pricing in writing before opening an account. Some companies offer fee-waiver programs on qualifying balances.
Storage & custodians
In a properly structured gold IRA, you never hold the metal yourself. It lives in an insured, IRS-approved depository — and the companies that run them are among the most trusted names in secure logistics. See the storage guide.
Depositories named for reference only; availability depends on your chosen company and custodian.
Your IRA custodian administers the account and reports to the IRS. A separate metals dealer sells you the gold, and a separate depository stores it. Reputable companies keep these roles distinct — that separation protects you.
Segregated (or allocated) storage keeps your specific bars set aside under your name. Commingled storage pools metal of the same type. Segregated usually costs a little more; many investors prefer it for clarity at withdrawal.
So-called "home storage" or "checkbook" gold IRA pitches invite IRS scrutiny and possible disqualification. While the metal is inside the IRA, it belongs in an approved depository — not a safe in your house.
2026 Editorial Registry
Our independent assessment of the companies worth your retirement savings — weighed on fees, transparency, storage partners, reputation, and buyback terms.
WealthIRA · Editorial Registry of Record
Folio MMXXVI
Our top-rated featured partner: BBB A+ rated, transparent spot-based pricing, IRS-approved depository partners, and a no-obligation buyback commitment. Full details on newmontcapitalgroup.com.
Ratings are our independent editorial opinion, not user reviews.
Straight answers
It is an IRS-recognized individual retirement account that you direct, holding physical precious metals instead of stocks or funds. It carries the same contribution limits and tax treatment as a traditional or Roth IRA — the difference is the asset inside it and the use of a specialized custodian and depository.
You open the account with a self-directed custodian, fund it (often via a rollover or transfer), choose IRS-approved bullion through a metals company, and have that metal stored at an approved depository under your account. You don't take personal possession of the metal while it remains in the IRA.
The IRS permits specific gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products that meet minimum fineness standards — generally 99.5% for gold — from approved mints and refiners, such as American Gold Eagles and many bullion bars. Collectible or graded 'numismatic' coins are generally not eligible for an IRA.
Four categories: a one-time setup fee, an annual custodian/administration fee, annual depository storage, and the dealer's spread over spot on the metal itself. The spread is the biggest variable, which is why transparent, spot-based pricing matters most. See our fee breakdown above for illustrative ranges.
Yes, when done correctly. A direct rollover or trustee-to-trustee transfer of eligible 401(k) or IRA funds into a self-directed gold IRA is generally not a taxable event. Problems arise mainly with indirect rollovers that miss the 60-day window. A reputable custodian and company will handle the paperwork to keep it penalty-free.
While in the IRA, metal must be held at an IRS-approved depository — not at home. Required minimum distributions apply to traditional gold IRAs starting at the applicable age, and you can generally take distributions in cash (after a sale) or 'in-kind' as the physical metal. Consult a tax professional for your situation.
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