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In the world of precious metals IRAs, Birch Gold Group and Augusta Precious Metals often battle head to head. These companies both have an equally awesome reputation, so how are you supposed to figure out which is the best?
Augusta Precious Metals vs Birch Gold Group
About Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta Precious Metals has been providing services to individual investors located all over the United States for ten years. The company is family-owned and run by a team of experts, including analysts who trained at Harvard. There's a serious focus on education, customer care, and providing valuable financial insights.
The thing about Augusta is that it's not just a precious metals dealership. Yes, they sell precious metals at low prices, and they have incredibly transparent policies regarding their shipping and fees and buybacks. But more than that, they've built their company around teaching customers to make the best decisions for the future they want.
When you use the IRA services offered by Augusta, you'll have one dedicated support team member. They will be able to forward your more complicated questions to the dedicated teams that specialize in every aspect of the IRA process. They'll also provide ongoing insights, educational resources, and other materials.
You can purchase non-IRA precious metals through Augusta as well, although that isn't the company's main focus.
About Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold Group has been consistently rated as being one of the most reputable and successful businesses in the entire US precious metals sector. Having been around since 2003, they are well established in the industry and have had a long time to grow. Since starting out, the company has expanded to have a huge team of financial experts and managers running the show.
Though Birch Gold says that they focus most chiefly on unconventional assets for retirement accounts, their main focus is on precious metals. They don't offer alternative options like crypto and real estate. At the same time, they have received awards and stunning feedback regarding their full-service offerings.
Birch Gold's inventory is robust. In addition to the more traditional investments, there's a selection of platinum and palladium coins and bars to choose from. The company wants customers to have a wide selection of options and to be totally satisfied in their purchases.
Rollover Services
Since both companies focus strongly on helping people to open self-directed IRAs, they both have significant rollover services. They will help you to transfer funds from one retirement account into the new one without incurring any major penalties. In exchange, you'll use the funds in the new account to buy precious metals from them.
You also have the option to put funds into the account using a direct contribution from your savings. However, there are limits on the amount that you can directly contribute to a self-directed IRA each year. The amount doesn't move past the minimum requirement to invest with either Birch Gold Group or Augusta. Therefore, you will need to involve some kind of rollover.
According to tax regulations, you won't be penalized for moving funds between accounts as long as it happens 60 days or less after the creation of the newest account.
In addition, there have been times in the past when Augusta has offered to cover the penalties for early withdrawal from annuities and other special cases. Birch Gold might be willing to offer this kind of deal if you ask, but there's no guarantee.
Most investment experts recommend keeping at least some of your portfolio in precious metals. Some older people have chosen to secure even more of their retirement in precious metals, partly because of how volatile the economy has been. Precious metals have held historic value for centuries, and sometimes retirees have more faith in them than in the less tangible stock market.
By using a rollover, you get access to the same tax advantages that you get with a normally managed IRA. You don't have to pay taxes on the investment until you start taking distributions.
Both Augusta and Birch Gold have systems in place to help customers with the paperwork for a rollover. With Augusta, the majority of the paperwork is done in-house. Birch Gold might refer you to their preferred custodian, and that financial entity is who will carry you through the application process.
It is possible to use basically all conventional retirement accounts for this rollover, including your 401(k) or your traditional IRA. If you have a traditional IRA, you might think that you want your current custodian to handle your metals account. But many traditional IRA handlers aren't licensed to take care of self-directed IRA holdings. It's better to work with one of the partnered custodians with your precious metals dealer of choice.
Fees
When you're working with gold IRA dealers, the most common fee structure involves a percentage of your holdings. You pay a percentage of the investment to get set up, store your items, and pay for your custodian to maintain your account. Unfortunately, this means that the more you invest, the more you're spending every year.
Augusta and Birch Gold both avoid this issue by having flat fees. Yes, you still need to pay the typical storage and maintenance costs that are associated with a tangible IRA. You're required by law to have a licensed custodian and a secure depository, and both of those require payment to maintain. But you'll pay exactly the same amount each year, meaning that you're never blindsided by new charges.
We've broken down some of the most common costs that you can expect, along with some of the promotions that the companies run. Be aware that there is no guarantee that any single promotion will still be active when you go to invest. It's a good idea to check the website or to ask your representative directly about whether you qualify for some of these opportunities.
Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta Precious Metals has a straightforward fee structure. When you get a price quote, you can expect to pay the price that's listed. Similarly, you can expect to pay the maintenance and storage prices that are quoted to you. These don't change over time.
Here's a basic breakdown:
No matter whether you're making a cash purchase with money you've saved up or using your existing retirement savings, the shipping is totally free. IRA packages will be sent to the depository you choose, while other packages can either be sent to the depository or your house. Everything is insured.
Augusta's most common promotions involve waiving the setup fee and the maintenance fees for between one and three years. You can ask about the exact specifications regarding this setup and how to qualify.
Birch Gold Group
Similarly to Augusta Precious Metals, Birch doesn't have any hidden fees. They don't charge extra for each transaction. There are simple flat costs that you can expect to pay, some of which aren't even applicable if you don't use the IRA services.
Here's the most basic rundown:
The costs are extremely similar to Augusta, all things considered. Birch Gold has a wire transfer cost that Augusta doesn't, but that's negligible. Because their minimum entry is 1/5th of Augusta's, more people might be able to access the Birch Gold services. But Augusta's customer care does make up for this.
Reputation and Trustworthiness
Both companies in question have a stellar reputation. Not only have they been well-reviewed by customers, but they have also been endorsed by experienced commentators and celebrities. On top of that, they have been evaluated by different third party sites and have been established as credible.
But let's examine some of the more specific details.
Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta has one of the most spotless online presences possible. Not just in the industry, but for any business. They have served thousands of customers and have a nationwide reach. With most businesses, this is enough to cause a small handful of complaints, even if they aren't all justified.
But that isn't the case with Augusta. There has not been a single complaint filed against the company within the prior three years. Both the Business Consumer Alliance and Better Business Bureau give the company their top possible ratings, reflecting the level of trust and ethics displayed.
NFL star Joe Montana is a major part of Augusta's branding and outreach. He works as the "corporate ambassador" for the company. It's not because he has some secret fixation on gold and silver, either. He says that he attended one of the free webinars with Augusta's executives, and he was so thrilled with the experience that he needed to recommend the company to all of his friends and family.
There are hundreds of 5 star reviews of Augusta's services available across the internet. You can compare the ratings on popular sites like Trustpilot, Consumer Affairs, and Facebook. In addition, Augusta has been awarded the best gold company by highly respected industry websites like IRA Gold Advisor.
Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold Group doesn't have quite as much information available online about its executives as Augusta does. Even so, it has a high enough level of transparency to get top marks with the BBB and BCA. The company has been endorsed by Ben Shapiro, a conservative talk show host who often promotes Birch Gold while on the air.
Birch Gold was accredited by the BBB in 2011 and has maintained that status for more than a decade. There are hundreds of good reviews from past customers on all of the aforementioned third party websites, plus Google. People consistently praise the patience, knowledge, and service of the employees.
This reputation has made Birch Gold one of the more sought-after companies in this niche. It helps that they have such affordable pricing and flat fees. That puts them head and shoulders above many of the competitors.
Similarities and Differences
Because these companies share the same basic niche and provide many of the same basic services, they have a lot of overlap. Both are places that people turn when they want to invest in gold for their IRA. But the differences are what will explain to you which company is better for your purposes.
Here are some of the most important similarities in how the companies are set up:
Now for the differences.
Augusta Precious Metals
Birch Gold Group
Pros and Cons
Augusta Precious Metals
Pros:
Cons:
Birch Gold Group
Pros:
Cons:
Who Wins?
This is a case in which both companies have excellent offers available. The right choice for you might just depend on what you can afford. If you don't have $50,000 to use Augusta's services, then Birch Gold Group is a reasonably priced alternative with many of the same selling points.
However, if you can afford Augusta's services, then we definitely recommend doing so. They have the ultimate best in class title when it comes to customer service. Throughout the process, you'll continue to work with the same person. Whenever you have questions or want insights, you can immediately get a response. And when you want to sell your metals, it's easy to get a buyback quote.
There aren't many other companies out there that are holding one-on-one webinars for their clients. These webinars are an incredible opportunity to learn about the industry and your future. You'll be talking to an economic analyst who trained at Harvard and has made a career out of predicting economic trends. It's a great way to feel more informed about your choices.