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If you're looking to diversify your portfolio and protect yourself against stock market volatility, setting up a Precious Metals IRA is the right way to go. Precious metals have proven to be a sound investment over the years and there is no indication that their value is likely to change any time soon. With a Precious Metals IRA, you can enjoy a diversified portfolio, take advantage of all the positive reasons to invest in precious metals, and receive the tax breaks offered to IRA holders.
However, if you've started researching opening a Precious Metals IRA, you've surely noticed that there are a ton of different companies out there that offer this service. We know this can make it challenging to decide which company is right for you, so we've done the research for you and put together reviews of five of the best Precious Metals investment companies in the industry. Keep reading to decide which of our recommendations is right for you!
Precious Metals IRA Company Reviews
#1. Goldco
When you're looking for the best Precious Metals IRA companies, you definitely don't want to overlook Goldco. As one of the most trusted names in the industry, Goldco is a top choice to help you begin investing in gold or silver to prepare for retirement. They have been in business since 2006 and have helped numerous customers just like you open a Gold IRA to save for retirement.
Goldco was founded by Trevor Gerszt with the goal of providing the necessary support to help each client meet their personal financial goals. They aim to make the process of setting up a Precious Metals IRA as low-stress as possible. They have earned a Triple A rating from the Business Consumer Alliance and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
With Goldco, setting up a new Gold or Silver IRA is simple. Working with them to set up a new IRA will allow you to enjoy the tax benefits allotted to IRA holders while also harnessing the power of investing in precious metals to prepare for your retirement. Whether you are looking to open a new Precious Metals IRA or are interested in rolling over an existing retirement plan into a Precious Metals IRA, a member of the Goldco team will be able to assist you.
Regardless of which option you're interested in, begin by filling out the IRA interest form on the website. On the form, you'll fill in information about how you'd like to fund your account.
A member of the Goldco team will then get in touch with you to help you wire money from your bank account or to connect you with an IRA custodian to transfer fund from an eligible retirement account.
Once the funds for your new IRA account have arrived at Goldco, you can work with the representative to select the gold or silver coin and bars you wish to invest in. IRS requirements state that gold coins or bars must be 99.5% pure (with the exception of the Gold American Eagle Coin) and silver coins or bars must be at least 99.9% pure.
Goldco offers the following gold and silver coins and bars for you to add to your IRA account:
Gold
Silver
Due to IRS regulations, the gold and silver coins you add to your new Precious Metals IRA will need to be stored in an IRS approved depository; you are not allowed to be the custodian of your own IRA, so you won't be able to hold your metals in your own home.
However, this absolutely does not mean that you'll need to worry about the safety or security of any of your precious metals. All IRS-approved depositories feature multiple security measures to protect your investments until you reach the age of retirement and are able to begin taking disbursements.
Goldco also handles securely packaging and shipping your precious metals to the IRS-approved depository. All of your metals will be fully insured during shipment, so you also won't need to worry about them making it to the depository safely.
Once you reach at least 59 ½ years old, you'll be eligible to begin taking disbursements from your account. You can choose whether to have the physical gold or silver pieces shipped to you, or to have them liquidated and have the cash sent to you instead.
Goldco can also help you if you're looking to make a personal investment in gold or silver in addition to setting up your new Precious Metals IRA. Any of the coins or bars listed above are available for purchase. You can reach out to a member of the Goldco team if you have any questions about making a purchase or wish to find out more about investing in precious metals.
Still have a few questions about investing in precious metals or setting up a Gold or Silver IRA with Goldco? Visit their website to request a free copy of their Self-Directed IRA guide. Here you'll find information about how the process works and some of the various coins and bars you can add to your account.
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Augusta Precious Metals is another one of the most-trusted names in the precious metals industry. They have been in business for nearly a decade, and, during their time in business have helped numerous customers invest in gold and silver or set up a Precious Metals IRA. Augusta Precious Metals has also earned top ratings from the Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance.
You'll notice the difference when you speak with a representative for the company. The website outlines seven ways they strive to stand out when compared with other companies. These include: respect, commitment, knowledge, transparency, accessibility, coordination, and selection.
When you set up a new Precious Metals IRA with Augusta Precious Metals or rollover an existing eligible retirement account into a Precious Metals IRA, you can add up to $6,000 of gold or silver each year (or $7,000 of gold and silver if you're over 50 years old). Augusta Precious Metals has made it easy to get your new IRA set up or to rollover your eligible account.
If you're interested in an IRA rollover, they'll connect you with trusted IRA custodian company like GoldStar Trust or Equity Trust to handle the transfer and move the funds to Augusta Precious Metals for your new account. Working with the custodian will ensure that all of the IRS regulations are followed and ensure you aren't faced with any fees or penalties.
Once the money arrives from the transfer, or you transfer it from your bank account for a new IRA, the representative from Augusta Precious Metals can help you add the gold and silver coins and bars you'd like to your account.
Some of the IRA-approved gold and silver coins that Augusta Precious Metals offers its investors include:
Since IRS rules and regulations prohibit individuals from holding the precious metals for an IRA in their own home, Augusta Precious Metals offers storage options in numerous IRS-approved depositories located across the country. Some of the various locations you can choose from include:
Adding gold and silver to an IRA is one way to diversify your portfolio. You may also want to consider purchasing some gold and silver as a personal investment for additional diversification and to help you grow your wealth. In addition to the IRA-approved coins and bars offered by Augusta Precious Metals, they also offer a nice selection of common gold and silver bullion and premium gold and silver that individuals can purchase.
These coins include:
Common Gold Bullion
Premium Gold
Common Silver Bullion
Premium Silver
Orders for gold and silver through Augusta Precious Metals ship for free with included transit insurance. Your order will arrive promptly and will be packaged discreetly to prevent others from knowing what is inside the box.
If you're interested in learning more about investing in gold and silver, you can visit Augusta Precious Metal's website. It includes a lot of helpful information that can help you decide if a Precious Metals IRA is right for you and help you decide which coins or bars you'd like to add to your account.
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#3. Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold Group should also be high on your list when you're looking for the best Precious Metals IRA companies. They have almost two decades of experience in the gold investment industry and with helping individuals set up a Precious Metals IRA. Birch Gold Group aims to put the needs of each customer first, and when you visit their website, you can see the various standards value by the company, including: customer empowerment, education, ethics, empathy, transparency, and efficiency.
Birch Gold Group is frequently featured on the Ben Shapiro show as a trusted source for offering investment advice to listeners to help them build financial wealth. The Better Business Bureau has awarded the Birch Gold Group their highest rating of an A+, and the Business Consumer Alliance has given them a Triple A rating. Everyday investors are also very pleased with their experience with Birch Gold Group, as is evidenced by the company's high customer reviews.
Whether you're looking to open a new Precious Metals IRA or rollover your eligible retirement account, reach out to a member of the Birch Gold Group to help you navigate the process. Once your account is set up and funded, either through a transfer from your bank account or retirement account, the member of the Birch Gold Group team will work with you to add the precious metals you'd like to invest in to your account.
While many other Precious Metals IRA companies only offer gold and silver coins and bars, with Birch Gold Group you can also invest in platinum and palladium coins and bars. This sets the company apart from many others out there and makes them an excellent choice if you're interested in diversifying your portfolio with platinum or palladium.
Below are the various gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars that meet the IRA requirements offered by Birch Gold Group:
Gold
Silver
Platinum
Palladium
Since gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars purchased for an IRA must be held in an IRS-approved depository, Birch Gold Group will work with you to safely get your precious metals transferred to the depository. They offer secure storage options through either the Delaware Depository of Brinks Global Services, both of which are well-known for their first-class security.
Whichever storage option you choose, you can rest easy knowing your precious metals will be fully insured and ready for you when it comes time to retire. Your metals will also be securely packaged and insured during shipment to prevent anything from happening to them.
In addition to the coins and bars offered that are IRA-approved, Birch Gold Group also offers a few other gold and silver coins that are available for purchase. While they don't meet the criteria set forth to be held in an IRA, these coins will let you hold a piece of history and help you grow your wealth. You can choose from:
Birch Gold Group offers a wealth of information for their investors. You can contact a team member with any questions you may have about investing in precious metals or setting up a Precious Metals IRA, but you can also find a lot of helpful information through the 'Education' section of the website. Some of the available resources include information about how to purchase precious metals, investing in physical gold vs. paper gold, and interviews with influential investors.
Birch Gold Group also offers a free information kit for investors. You can request your copy through the website if you'd still like to learn more about setting up a Precious Metals IRA.
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#4. Noble Gold
Noble Gold is another one of our top picks for the best Precious Metals IRA company. They are also one of the most experienced on our list with over 20 years in the gold investment industry. When you work with Noble Gold, you can feel confident that you'll be receiving advice from an experienced and knowledgeable team of precious metals experts.
Noble Gold is a member of the Business Consumer Alliance, TrustLink, and the Royal Canadian Mint. They have received glowing reviews from past customers and don't believe in using the pushy sales tactics that so many other companies rely on. Additionally, since Noble Gold has developed so many connections with precious metals suppliers, they are able to offer some of the most competitive pricing.
Your precious metals expert from Noble Gold can work with you to either set up a new Precious Metals IRA or rollover an existing retirement account into a Precious Metals IRA. Whichever option you're interested in, simply start by completing the IRA set up form on the website, and you'll receive a call from a team member to help you get everything started.
If you're rolling over an account, the team member you work with can help you verify eligibility. They'll also work with the IRA custodian to facilitate the transfer of funds to make the process as simple for you as possible.
You can invest in gold and silver, as well as platinum and palladium with Noble Gold. They offer a diverse selection of coins and bars that meet the IRS requirements for purity levels (99.5% for gold, 99.9% for silver, and 99.95% for platinum and palladium). Below are the various coins and bars you can add to your account.
Gold
Silver
Platinum
Palladium
After you select the coins or bars you would like to add to your IRA, Noble Gold will take care of shipping them to the IRA-approved depository for you. You'll be able to breathe a sigh or relief knowing that your investment is protected and insured during shipment and being stored in a facility that offers impressive security features.
Noble Gold also offer the option to purchase rare coins for a personal investment. These coins do not meet the IRS requirements to be held in an IRA, but offer you the opportunity to purchase your own pieces of history and help your wealth grow due to their rare status. The coins available for purchase include the 1854 Kellogg $20 coin, the 4-Piece Indian Saint Gauden Set, and the Morgan Silver Dollar.
Noble Gold also offers investors a unique opportunity to save for a large event or prepare for an unexpected emergency. Their Royal Survival Packs include a mix of precious metals that individuals can store in their own homes or arrange to have stored in a secure location.
There are eight different Royal Survival Packs to choose from. They range from a $5,000 investment to a $500.000 investment to match the savings and investment needs of each different individuals. The available Royal Survival Packs include:
Request Noble Gold's free Gold IRA guide if you still have questions about setting up a Precious Metals IRA with Noble Gold. The guide will share additional information about how the process works to set up a new IRA, as well as the different coins you can choose to add to your account.
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#5. Regal Assets (NO LONGER RECOMMENDED)
Certainly not to be left out is Regal Assets. They have been ranked as #20 in the financial services category on the INC 500 and work to help each of their clients achieve their financial goals. Regal Assets offers highly competitive pricing on the precious metals they offer, and, unlike many other precious metals investment companies, strive to be transparent about any fees or commissions they'll charge.
Regal Assets has made a name for itself in the industry. They are highly reviewed by past customers who are happy with the services they have received and appreciate that Regal Assets doesn't resort to the pushy sales tactics that so many other companies rely on.
Regal Assets offers a few different options for individuals looking to set up a Precious Metals IRA. You can open a new account or rollover an existing eligible account into an IRA.
Regal Assets also offers an additional option for their customers to consider. It is a special type of IRA called a Regal IRA. A Regal IRA is a type of Self-Directed IRA where you can also hold cryptocurrencies in addition to the precious metals you add to your account. Below are the various gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars and cryptocurrencies you can add to your new Regal IRA.
Gold
Silver
Platinum
Palladium
Cryptocurrencies
With Regal Assets, you may also choose to invest in one of their special packages. These packages include a mix of precious metals and cryptocurrencies that are designed to help individuals set themselves up for future financial success by preparing for unexpected emergencies or saving for a large event. Regal Assets offers six of these special packages which range from a $5,000 investment to a $250,000 investment.
Two of the packages are designed primarily to help individuals ensure they'll have quick and easy access to cash in the event of an unexpected emergency. These two packages are the:
The four other packages offer individuals the opportunity to diversify their portfolio and grow their wealth by investing in precious metals and cryptocurrencies. These four packages are the:
If you are making a personal investment and are looking for secure storage for your precious metals, Regal Assets has partnered with storage providers all over the world that offer secure, segregated storage to keep your metals protected until you need them. These storage facilities also charge flat fees, as opposed to the percentage charged by some other locations which can really add up fast when you're storing a large quantity of precious metals.
Would you like to learn more about Regal Assets and how to get started with a Precious Metals IRA or special Regal IRA? Visit their website to request their free precious metals investment kit.
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Buying Guide
As you start looking closer at the various Precious Metals IRA companies out there, you'll start to realize that even though all these companies offer similar services, they are not all the same. Use the short guide below to help you identify key features to compare between the various companies you're considering to help you decide which one you'd like to use to set up your new IRA.
Selection of Precious Metals
One of the first things you should look at before choosing a Precious Metals IRA company is the precious metals selection they offer. Some companies may only offer a limited number of gold and silver coins and bars, while others may offer a more extensive selection including platinum and palladium.
If there is a particular coin or bar that you are set on holding in your IRA, keep this in mind as you compare the various precious metals companies. Some may not offer that particular coin or bar, and therefore won't be the right fit for you.
Customer Service
Customer service is important when making any big purchase. You want to feel that your needs are met and your questions are addressed. This is even more true when setting up a Precious Metals IRA,
If the company you choose to work with doesn't offer top-notch customer service, not only won't you get the answers you're looking for, but you may face fees or penalties from the IRS if your IRA isn't set up correctly.
Reputation and Experience
Next, do a little research on each company's reputation in the industry. Check to make sure that they are seen as a trusted name and have earned high reviews from organizations such as the Business Consumer Alliance and Better Business Bureau. You may also want to look up reviews from previous customers to make sure they were satisfied with the service they received.
Experience is another important item to consider. Companies that have been in business long are less likely to scam you or mishandle your money.
Fees
Finally, determine the fees that you'll be charged by each company for setting up and managing your Precious Metals IRA. There may be some variance between the fees each company charges, so this could help make your decision a bit easier.
Top Pick
Ready to find out our most highly recommended Precious Metals IRA company? Well, while we think any of the five companies we highlighted above would be a good company to work with and set up a Precious Metals IRA, Goldco is our number one pick.
One of the things we like about Goldco is their experience and reputation, which is so important when making a big decision, such as setting up a retirement account. They have been in business since 2006 and have accumulated tons of positive reviews from past clients, the Better Business Bureau, and the Business Consumer Alliance.
Goldco has worked hard to make the process of setting up a new IRA or rolling over an existing IRA as simple as possible for their clients. A member of the team will be available to help you through the entire process and make it as stress-free as possible. They'll also be available to help you decide which precious metals you'd like to add to your account.
With Goldco, you can choose from a wide variety of gold and silver coins and bars to add to your IRA. This puts you in control of the specific precious metals you'll be holding and will keep you involved in the process of preparing for your retirement.
Goldco offers free shipping and transit insurance to make sure your precious metals make it safely to the IRS-approved depository. You can also choose to make a personal investment in gold or silver and have precious metals shipped safely and securely right to your door!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, many financial experts see precious metals as a good investment. These metals are in limited supply and are highly sought-after around the world. The high demand and low supply work to drive their value up.
Precious metals are also very easy to liquidate when you're ready to cash in on your investment. You won't have any trouble finding a buyer and walking away with cash the same day. Think about how different this is compared to other types of investments, such as real estate, that can take a long time to sell.
Investing in precious metals also allows you to diversify your portfolio. If all of your investments are held in the stock market, you are very vulnerable to market decreases. However, if your investments are spread out, a stock market crash won't be as detrimental to you.
The value of precious metals also isn't tied to the value of the US dollar. This means that investing in them can also help you hedge against inflation and protect your finances.
A Precious Metals IRA, often called a Gold IRA, is one type of Self-Directed IRA. With a Self-Directed IRA, you're able to invest in alternative assets outside of the traditional stocks and bonds. As their name implies, Precious Metals IRAs allow you to hold gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in a retirement account.
IRA account holders enjoy tax benefits that individuals don't receive for non-retirement accounts, so setting up a Precious Metals IRA can let you benefit from these tax breaks while also taking advantage of the growing value of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
This is a personal decision you'll need to make for yourself based on your finances, goals, and comfort level. If you do some research, though, you'll find that many experts recommend diversifying your portfolio with some precious metals. Doing so through an IRA can help you benefit from the tax breaks IRA holders receive.
The answer to this isn't black and white. While many individuals opt for a traditional IRA, more and more people are discovering the benefits of adding gold, silver, platinum, and palladium to their retirement account.
Fortunately, there are no IRS rules that stipulate that you're only allowed to have one IRA. You can open both a traditional IRA and a Precious Metals IRA. This will offer the greatest amount of diversification for your retirement accounts and will set you up for a comfortable retirement.
IRS regulations state that you can contribute up to $6,000 each year ($7,000 for those over 50) to an IRA. This is the total maximum contribution between accounts, so if you open two IRAs, you'll need to split the $6,000 between them. For example, you could contribute $3,000 to each account, $4,000 to your Precious Metals IRA and $2,000 to your traditional IRA, or $2,000 to your Precious Metals IRA and $4,000 to your traditional IRA.
Finding the best time to buy gold is not always easy. Obviously, you want to purchase gold when its price is lowest, but since the price fluctuates based on different factors, this isn't always something you can predict.
The price of gold tends to be lowest when the stock market is performing very well. It is also generally lower in the months of January, March, and April. You can use this information while watching the market and price of gold to help you determine when it's the right time to invest.
No, when you set up a Precious Metals IRA, the IRS requires that you store your metals in an IRS-approved depository. Storing metals in your home will likely lead to fees and penalties from the IRS.
Fortunately, all of the IRS-approved depositories feature first-class security measures that will protect your investment until you're ready to retire and begin taking disbursement. There are also many different IRS-approved depositories around the country, so you'll likely be able to find that is located close to you.
No, when you reach the age of retirement, you can choose to have the physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars in your IRA sent to you. If you would like to have cash sent to you instead, you can also arrange to have your precious metals liquidated.
Having the option to hold the physical coins and bars in your account gives you more flexibility. You can hold the pieces to pass on to your children or grandchildren or sell them yourself when you need the cash.
Final Verdict
The bottom line? While choosing any of the five companies we reviewed can help you prepare for your retirement by setting up a Precious Metals IRA, we think you'll be very impressed with the level of service and attention you'll receive from Goldco. Visit their website or give them a call today to learn more and get started.