הצגת המקור של הדף "Biggest Scam of 2023"

* This article doesn’t constitute financial advice. It’s always a good idea to speak with a financial advisor before making any investment decision.

(Ad) If you’re looking for a way to protect your retirement from inflation or diversify your investment portfolio, opening up a gold IRA account is an option worth considering. Unlike traditional retirement accounts that only hold paper assets, a precious metals IRA is backed by physical gold and silver.

However, setting up a gold IRA can be an overwhelming process because it involves finding a gold IRA custodian, locating an approved depository to store your gold, and navigating the IRS tax rules on gold IRA accounts. That's why many investors are turning to reputable gold IRA companies to help facilitate the process for them.

To help you find the right precious metals IRA, we’ve reviewed the best gold IRA companies in the industry. Each gold IRA company below was evaluated on a variety of factors including reputation, fees, experience, user reviews, and selection of precious metals.

10 Best Gold IRA Companies of 2023

Goldco: Best gold ira company and most trusted overall

Birch Gold Group: Best selection of precious metals

American Hartford Group

Oxford Gold Group

Augusta Precious Metals

Noble Gold: Best customer support

Patriot Gold Group

Advantage Gold

Lear Capital

Regal Assets

Review of the Best Precious Metals IRA Companies

#1. Goldco: Best Gold IRA Company Overall

Goldco is a privately held firm that specializes in wealth and asset protection. This reliable gold IRA company can help you transfer assets from a tax-advantaged retirement account, such as an IRA, 401(k), or 403(b), to a precious metals IRA. Goldco also offers direct gold and silver sales to customers.

Goldco offers both gold and silver IRAs. If you choose to invest in a gold IRA, you can purchase a range of gold IRA-approved coins to fund your account. Goldco works with mints to source high-quality coins eligible for gold IRAs, including:

Gold American Eagle gold coins

Gold Maple Leaf coins

Gold Freedom and Hope coins

Gold bars

And more

Meanwhile, if you'd rather purchase silver coins, you can choose from options such as:

Silver American Eagle coins

Silver Maple Leaf coins

Silver Lucky Dragon coins

Silver bars

Goldco can make the process of opening a gold IRA quick and easy. First, you can initiate your IRA by signing an agreement on the Goldco website. A representative from the company can help you understand the service terms and walk you through each step.

Next, you'll need to fund your IRA by rolling over assets from an existing 401(k) or another eligible account. Typically, gold IRA rollovers can take place without any tax penalties. You can also set up a brand new precious metals IRA, if you don’t have an existing retirement account to transfer funds from.

Once you've funded your precious metals IRA, you can choose the gold or silver you would like to purchase with your funds.

If you'd prefer to invest in your retirement savings directly, you can buy physical gold and coins on the Goldco website and ship them to your preferred depository or your home. Some investors also qualify for free storage through Goldco.

Goldco offers a wide range of precious metal products for direct sale. You can purchase these coins by first signing an agreement on the Goldco website, and then funding your account with a bank wire or mail-in check.

If you're on the fence about working with Goldco, you can request a free kit to learn more about the company. This kit includes a printed guide, an audio guide, and a video guide that answers questions about:

How to invest in precious metals

How to grow your retirement account

How precious metals can give you more control over your assets

You can also receive 10% back in free silver when you make a qualifying purchase.

Overall, Goldco is a top gold IRA company offering a range of gold and silver investments to suit your retirement goals.

Here’s what we like most about Goldco:

Request a free gold IRA information kit

Good selection of gold coins, silver bullion, and other precious metals

Years of experience in setting up precious metals IRAs

Most trusted gold IRA company, with an A+ BBB rating

Offers gold IRAs and direct purchase of precious metals

$10,000 or more in free silver with qualified accounts

Highest price buy-back guarantee

Click here to learn more about Goldco

#2. Birch Gold Group: Experts in Gold IRA Rollover

Birch Gold Group is a physical precious metals dealer that has been in business since 2003. Since its beginnings, the company has worked with over 13,000 customers and has built up an impressive reputation, garnering an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.

Birch Gold Group sells gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in coins, bars, and rounds. You can purchase precious metals directly through the company or open a precious metals IRA.

If you're looking to open a gold or silver IRA, you can start by opening your account and choosing your funding source. You can fund your account by transferring funds from an open IRA or rolling over a 401(k) into a new, self-directed IRA. A precious metals specialist can help you review your accounts, transfer funds, and answer any questions you may have.

Once you fund your precious metal investment account, you can choose the precious metals you would like to purchase and decide how much of each to buy. After you purchase your precious metals, your specialist will review your order and send you a final confirmation. Additionally, your specialist can walk you through your storage options.

Birch Gold Group works with reputable depositories that you can use to store your gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins within your IRA. The company most commonly works with Brink's Global Service and Delaware Depository, which offers up to $1 billion in insurance.

You can talk to your precious metals specialist at any time to review your precious metals' performance or make any changes to your account. These specialists are incredibly helpful in walking you through the entire process and helping you maintain a profitable investment portfolio.

If you'd rather not invest in a gold IRA, you can also purchase gold, silver, platinum, and palladium directly through this company. You'll simply need to fund your account via wire or a personal check. Birch Gold Group will then ship your metals to your desired location in discreet packaging with fully insured delivery methods.

If you're interested in learning more about Birch Gold Group, you can request a free info kit through the company's website. This kit includes a booklet with information about diversifying your savings with precious metals.

Overall, we recommend Birch Gold Group as the best gold IRA company offering specialized guidance and assistance from knowledgeable professionals.

Click here to learn more about Birch Gold Group

#3. American Hartford Gold: Trusted Leader in Gold IRA Investing

american hartford gold

American Hartford Gold, which sells precious metals and precious metal IRAs, has been in business since 2015. The company maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has near-perfect ratings on Trustpilot and Google—4.9 and 4.8, respectively. In terms of credibility and reputation, American Hartford Gold passes merit.

The Los Angeles-based company offers people the chance to invest in precious metals through a direct purchase or a retirement account. These include:

Gold and silver coins

Platinum

Collectors coins

Gold bars

Silver bars

American Hartford Gold allows investors to purchase precious metals and receive delivery at their doorstep. However, precious metal IRAs require storage at a third-party depository, such as Delaware Depository Service or Brinks Global Services, for which you'll have to pay storage fees.

If you're interested in purchasing precious metal from American Hartford Gold, follow the company's three-step process:

1) Call for assistance in filling out the new investor account forms.

2) Transfer funds into your new account. You can rollover funds from an existing IRA if you choose.

3) Select your IRA-eligible precious metals and purchase them.

American Hartford Gold offers price matching and a buyback commitment. The buyback program lets you sell your gold bullion back to American Hartford Gold (or another company) and save on liquidation fees.

American Hartford Gold has no charge for establishing a gold IRA nor fees for shipping your gold to the depository. It covers insurance and tracking, but you'll likely need to pay annual maintenance fees and storage fees if your investment is in a depository. Since the company’s online precious metals catalogs do not list prices, you’ll need to consult with a representative.

Pros

Family-owned and operated business

BBB-accredited company with an A+ rating

A buyback commitment and price-match guarantee

Company that donates to charitable community organizations

Cons

Does not disclose specific fee structure or precious metal prices

Charges annual maintenance fees

Provides no international shipping

So, what's the final verdict in this American Hartford Gold review? With a great reputation, a range of gold and silver investments to choose from, and a buyback commitment, this company is popular among investors. You will need to pay some depository fees, and you'll have to contact the company’s customer service to discover the gold prices. American Hartford Gold is a good choice for investors who want to diversify their wealth portfolio with gold investments.

Click Here to Learn More About American Hartford Group

#4. Oxford Gold Group: Best Customer Service

oxford gold group

California-based Oxford Gold Group has been operating since 2018, and the company's founders have over two decades of experience in the precious metals industry. The firm sells investment-grade precious metals and offers precious metal IRA retirement accounts. Oxford Gold Group also maintains BBB accreditation and an A+ rating, with thousands of positive customer reviews.

Oxford Gold Group offers IRS-approved coins and bullion, including:

Gold and silver coins

Gold and silver bars

Platinum coins and bars

Palladium coins and bars

For customers who are investing in precious metal IRAs, Oxford Gold Group offers a range of options, including:

Traditional IRA

Roth Gold IRA

SEP Gold IRA

You also have the option to rollover your existing IRA account.

Oxford Gold Group offers investors two different options for storing a precious metal IRA. You can choose between the Brinks Depository in Salt Lake City, Utah, or the Delaware Depository in Wilmington, Delaware.

Opening a new account with Oxford Gold Group is simple:

1) Complete the new account forms with your dedicated account partner.

2) Transfer funds or begin the tax-free rollover from your previous retirement account.

3) Browse through your investment options and purchase the precious metals you want.

Your precious metals will now travel to your depository for secure storage.

Pros

BBB-accredited company with an A+ rating

Educational resources

Quick and easy investment process

Wide range of precious metals for purchase

24-hour customer service

Cons

Newer company (established in 2018)

Only two IRA custodians

Higher account setup and annual maintenance fees

What's the outcome of this Oxford Gold Group review? The firm is relatively new, but it offers convenient investment services and a great selection of precious metals. Expect higher fees than other companies, and you only have the option of two different IRA custodians. However, it does have an excellent reputation and BBB rating. Ultimately, the Oxford Gold Group is a good choice for investing in precious metals and diversifying your wealth portfolio.

Click Here to Learn More About Oxford Gold Group

#5. Augusta Precious Metals: Highly Rated Gold Investment Company

augusta

Augusta Precious Metals is a premier gold IRA company founded by Joe Montana, a hall of fame quarterback, and his team of financial advisors. This company has received thousands of five-star rankings since 2012 and has won several awards for its IRA services.

Augusta Precious Metals offers gold IRAs and cash purchases. Like the other companies on our list, Augusta Precious Metals requires you to have a qualifying IRA and roll over your funds to your new gold or silver IRA.

First, you'll have the opportunity to talk to a live agent who can guide you in your gold or silver purchase. Your agent can also give you helpful economic guidance to educate you about precious metals IRAs.

Next, you can create your new IRA with the help of your live agent. You'll need to have at least $50,000 available to invest in order to qualify for an Augusta Precious Metals IRA account.

Once you've created your account, you'll need to fund it with money from your existing retirement account. Then, you can buy gold or silver by submitting an order from Augusta's order desk.

Augusta also allows you to buy physical gold and silver outside of an IRA. If you choose to go this route, you can still receive guidance from the company's gold and silver professionals, free and secure delivery, and complete control over your precious metal assets. You'll simply need to follow these steps to buy gold or silver directly:

Fund your account with a cash transfer.

Select your gold or silver options.

Sign for delivery at your preferred location.

Augusta sells a range of gold and silver bullion and coins that you can purchase directly or use to fund your IRA. These gold and silver products include:

Canadian Maple Leaf coins

American Eagle coins

America the Beautiful coins

Augusta works with trustworthy custodians such as Equity Trust, Gold Star Trust Company, and Kingdom Trust who can administer your new IRA. Additionally, Augusta can serve as your liaison with your custodian, giving you access to the custodian at any time.

The Augusta Precious Metals website also includes a video resource library filled with helpful videos from Delvyn Steele, a Harvard-trained economist. If you're looking for insight into what's going on in the economy, these videos are an excellent resource to review.

Overall, we recommend Augusta Precious Metals for anyone looking to open a precious metal IRA with a reputable company.

Click Here to Learn More About Augusta Precious Metals

#6. Noble Gold: Great Selection of Silver, Platinum, and Palladium

noble gold

Noble gold sells gold, silver, palladium, and platinum coins along with valuable rare coins. You can purchase these precious metals through an IRA or buy them directly through the Noble Gold website.

This company follows a simple process to help facilitate gold IRAs for its customers. You can get started with Noble Gold by filling out an online IRA setup form. This form only takes about five minutes to complete. If you aren't sure of all the answers, the company can call you to guide you through the process of finding the necessary information.

Next, the Noble Gold IRA team will call your new custodian to set up your account and acquire any additional paperwork you may need to complete. The company will also email you your new self-directed IRA account number.

With Noble Gold, you can either transfer assets directly from an existing custodian to your new IRA or roll over funds into your new account. You shouldn't face any tax penalties when transferring funds from one custodian to another.

Once you fund your account and purchase your precious metals, you can check their status at any time through Noble Gold's custodian, Equity Institutional. This custodian offers online access to your account 24/7/365.

If you'd rather buy precious metals directly, you can take advantage of Noble Gold's Royal Survival Packs. These packs include hand-picked selections of precious metals with high levels of liquidity and recognizability. Purchasing these packs is especially helpful if you're unsure which metals to buy.

Noble Gold offers several features that set it apart as one of the best gold IRA companies. First, this provider offers some of the best gold prices on the market and provides fast, secure shipping. Noble Gold has also received hundreds of five-star reviews from satisfied customers, allowing you to feel confident in its practices.

Even better, Noble Gold offers a buyback program to every client. If your retirement goals or savings change over time, you can rest assured that the company will buy back any gold or other precious metals that you previously purchased.

Overall, Noble Gold is an impressive gold IRA company that goes above and beyond to help its clients purchase profitable investments.

What is a gold IRA?

You've probably heard of 401(k) and traditional IRA accounts. These retirement accounts allow you to invest in index funds, stocks, and other paper investments to fund your retirement account. However, most traditional retirement investment accounts do not allow you to invest in gold.

That's where gold individual retirement accounts (IRAs) come in.

Gold IRAs are specialized individual retirement accounts that hold precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. Like traditional IRAs, these accounts typically allow for pre-tax contributions and have similar income and contribution limits.

However, unlike traditional IRAs and 401(k)s, which hold paper assets, gold IRAs contain physical precious metals. When you purchase precious metals through a gold IRA, you must store them outside your home, with a custodian, and in a secure depository.

A reputable gold IRA company, such as one from our list, can help you facilitate your gold purchase and walk you through the steps of opening your new gold IRA account. These companies know the ins and outs of IRS rules for retirement accounts, giving you the guidance you need to maintain a profitable portfolio. Many gold IRA companies also partner with custodians.

Investing in gold IRA accounts can provide numerous benefits for your retirement goals. Gold often provides more stable growth than paper assets, allowing you to diversify your portfolio while minimizing volatility.

Additionally, gold IRAs come with unique tax benefits. Your contributions and gains are not taxable, and in many cases, your contributions may also be tax-deductible.

All in all, investing in a gold IRA is a wise option to consider if you're looking to stabilize and diversify your portfolio. You can also consider a gold IRA rollover, in which you transfer funds from your existing IRA to a gold IRA. We'll discuss this concept more below.

How we ranked the top gold investment companies

If you're looking to open a gold IRA or other precious metals IRAs, it's essential to use a reputable, trustworthy company to facilitate the process. Gold IRA investments can be expensive and choosing a questionable provider may be a costly mistake.

When we chose the five best gold IRA companies to add to our list, we searched for a range of factors that indicate that a company is reliable, knowledgeable, and reputable. Specifically, we examined the following factors while creating our list.

Reputation and reviews

Companies typically develop positive or negative reputations for a reason. When searching for a gold investment company to facilitate your IRA, choosing one with a positive industry reputation can ensure that you have a positive experience overall.

One [https://www.timesunion.com/marketplace/article/best-gold-ira-companies-17499614.php buyer beware] way to evaluate a company's reputation is to look the company up through the Better Business Bureau. The Better Business Bureau is an organization that allows consumers to write reviews and, often, complaints of businesses online. The Better Business Bureau also rates organizations on a scale from A+ to F, with A+ being the best rating.

When we chose the five best gold IRA companies to add to our list, we examined each company's Better Business Bureau reviews and ratings. The companies that made our list all have B or higher BBB ratings and tend to have more positive gold IRA reviews than negative ones.

Ease of setup

Reliable precious metal IRA companies do everything they can to gain new clients, including making the setup process as easy and stress-free as possible. These companies allow new clients to set up gold IRAs within a few days or less and offer qualified assistance from investment professionals.

The gold IRA companies that made our list feature easy setup processes. These companies also allow you to talk with a specialist directly throughout your account-opening process, ensuring that you can quickly receive the guidance you need.

Costs and fees

Most gold IRA companies charge fees for their services. These fees cover the costs involved in opening your account, maintaining your account over time, and securely holding your precious metals.

If you come across an IRA company that offers its services for free, you may not be able to trust that it will put the necessary expertise and time into facilitating a reliable gold IRA. Additionally, companies offering free services often do not provide the additional assistance and knowledge you would receive from a higher quality company.

On the other end of the spectrum, companies that charge outrageously high fees may not be trustworthy either. These companies may be more focused on maximizing profits than providing quality services for customers.

When we chose the gold IRA companies to add to this list, we focused on organizations that charge reasonable fees for their services.

Selection of gold and silver products

One of the reasons many people choose to open gold IRAs is to diversify their investment portfolios. As a result, it makes sense to work with a gold IRA company that offers a diverse selection of gold, silver, and other precious metal products.

Some of the companies on our list only offer silver and gold coins but provide an extensive selection of each coin type. Other companies allow you to invest in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in coins or bars. Additionally, one of the companies on our list—Regal Assets—also allows you to invest in cryptocurrencies.

You can feel confident that all the companies that made our list offer a varied selection of precious metal products.

Buybacks?

If you're unsure what type of precious metal to purchase within an IRA or feel hesitant about the process, you may want to work with a company that offers potential buybacks. These companies allow clients to sell their precious metals back to the companies without incurring additional fees.

The best gold IRA companies offer buybacks and make the buyback process as hassle-free as possible. These companies may even offer to ship your precious metals back to their facilities for free if you purchased them directly.

Several of the companies on our list offer easy and reliable buybacks, giving you a cushion to fall back on if you decide to sell your precious metals back to them.

Finding a broker or custodian for your gold-based IRA

When you purchase precious metal IRAs, you'll be in charge of storing the precious metals. However, the IRS does not allow gold IRA holders to keep their precious metals in their homes. Instead, your best option is to store your assets with a gold IRA custodian.

Custodians are typically credit unions, banks, brokerage firms, or other financial institutions that have gained federal approval to provide asset custody services. Sometimes, gold IRA companies recommend specific custodians, but their clients can store their precious metals with any reliable custodian.

Choosing the right custodian for your gold IRA storage may feel challenging. We recommend taking time to examine several custodians, paying special attention to their qualifications. Custodians need to have licenses, insurance, and registrations to provide reliable services and protect their assets.

You can also look at a custodian's reputation to determine its reliability. Reading reviews on the BBB website can help you understand other customers' experiences with custodians, giving you an idea of what your own experience could be.

As with traditional IRA options, you'll also need to work with a broker to invest in a gold IRA. Thankfully, the companies on our list act as brokers by facilitating all the steps involved in purchasing precious metal IRAs.

Types of gold you can hold in a precious metals IRA

The IRS has specific regulations about the types of precious metals consumers can hold in precious metal IRAs. Specifically, the gold, platinum, and palladium in these accounts must be at least 99.5% pure, while the silver in IRAs must be 99.9% pure.

Additionally, when you buy the gold for your IRA, you must purchase it in one, one-half, one-quarter, or one-tenth-ounce gold coins.

Working with a reputable gold IRA company can ensure that the precious metals you purchase adhere to IRS standards. However, it never hurts to check the gold you have in mind against IRS regulations before purchasing it for your IRA.

Reasons to invest in gold for retirement

You may be wondering if it's actually beneficial to invest in gold for your retirement funds rather than maintaining a traditional IRA or 401(k). Is it worth the time and effort involved in transferring funds to a gold IRA?

However, investing in gold can be a wise decision for several reasons. Here are some of the most compelling reasons you should consider investing in gold for retirement.

Gold maintains its value.

Gold is a relatively stable investment because it tends to maintain its value well over time. Consumers consider gold one of the most valuable substances, and this stance has not changed much over the past several hundred years. Gold also withstands the test of time well, as it doesn't corrode and maintains its beautiful color long-term.

Gold is an excellent hedge against inflation.

You probably know about the concept of inflation, in which the value of the dollar continually declines over time. For example, it costs a lot more to buy a 1,000-square-foot house today than it did 50 years ago. As a result, all the paper investments you hold need to increase in value by a higher rate than the inflation rate to remain profitable.

However, gold acts as a hedge against inflation. Gold prices fluctuate regularly due to supply and demand, the amount of gold in bank reserves, and investor behaviors. As a result, when the dollar's value falls, the cost of gold often increases.

Gold provides deflation protection.

Along with hedging against inflation, gold can also protect your assets against deflation. When prices decrease drastically due to diminished demand—such as during the Great Depression—people often look for a safe place to hoard their cash.

Gold is a relatively stable place to keep one's money, leading the purchasing power of gold to rise during the Great Depression and other significant periods of deflation.

Gold can diversify your investment portfolio.

Have you ever heard the phrase, "You shouldn't keep all your eggs in one basket?" This saying applies significantly to the stock market. Investing in only one type of product can leave you vulnerable to unsystematic risks that can cause your investment values to drop drastically.

However, diversifying your portfolio can help you manage risk and reduce the volatility of your asset prices. One easy way to diversify your investments is to invest in a gold IRA along with your traditional retirement assets.

Understanding a gold IRA rollover

Most of the gold IRA companies on our list do not allow you to open a gold IRA from scratch. Instead, these companies require you to either transfer funds from an existing IRA or withdraw funds from an existing account and deposit them in a new IRA. This latter option is known as a gold IRA rollover.

IRA rollovers must conform to specific rules and regulations from the IRS. For example, if you choose to roll over funds from an IRA, you cannot hold those funds in your account for longer than 60 days before investing them into a new IRA. In contrast, if you were to facilitate an IRA transfer, the funds would never touch your bank account before being transferred to your new IRA.

Rolling over an IRA is a more involved process than transferring funds from one IRA to another. However, rollovers tend to be faster than transfers, taking place in 60 days or less in most instances. The companies on our list can help you facilitate gold IRA rollovers to make the process as seamless as possible and ensure that you do not face any extra penalties due to misguidance.

Frequently Asked Questions about Precious Metals IRAs

What is the minimum investment for a gold IRA?

The IRS does not require a minimum investment amount when opening a gold IRA. However, many gold IRA companies have their own minimum investment requirements that you must meet to work with them. For example, Augusta Precious Metals requires clients to invest at least $50,000 when buying gold and other metals.

Other companies have much more generous minimum investment amounts. If your existing retirement accounts have not accrued much value since you opened them, you may want to look for a gold IRA company with a low minimum investment requirement.

Can I keep a gold IRA at home?

Many consumers wonder whether they can set up a home storage unit for the gold they purchase through a gold IRA. Unfortunately, when you invest in a gold IRA, you cannot keep the physical gold bullion at home.

Instead, the IRS requires gold IRA investors to keep their gold with an IRS-approved custodian, such as a bank, credit union, or other financial institution.

If you choose to ignore this rule and keep your gold at home, your gold will qualify as a distribution, meaning that you may face a 10% tax penalty. Additionally, you'll need to pay income taxes on the distribution, lowering the overall value you receive from the gold.

Even worse, storing your gold investment at home could lead to a tax audit, which may necessitate additional penalties from the IRS.

If you'd prefer to own gold and store it wherever you want, you may want to buy gold bullion directly from one of the gold IRA providers on our list. These companies can ship your gold right to your door and provide insurance to reduce risk during transit. Once you receive this gold, you can keep it at home, store it with a custodian, or do whatever you want with it.

Which IRS-approved coins can you hold in a gold IRA?

As we mentioned earlier, the metals you purchase for an IRA investment must meet specific IRS standards for quality and purity. Gold, platinum, and palladium must be 99.5% pure, while silver must be 99.9% pure.

The IRS recognizes certain gold bullion and other precious metal coins as meeting these requirements. For example, the IRS accepts the following gold coins for gold IRAs:

American Gold Eagle bullion and proof coins

American Gold Buffalo uncirculated coins

Chinese Gold Panda coins

Australian Kangaroo/Nugget coins

Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coins

Austrian Gold Philharmonic coins

When you work with a reputable gold IRA provider, you can feel confident that the gold you purchase will meet IRS standards.

What fees are involved in opening a gold IRA account?

You'll probably face at least three different fees when you invest in a gold IRA.

First, most IRA providers charge an initial account setup fee that covers the work involved in creating your investment account. This fee typically ranges from $50 to $150. However, some companies waive this fee for larger investment deposits.

Next, many IRA companies charge an annual administrative fee that covers the cost of keeping your account open year after year. This fee can range from $50 to $150 and typically correlates to the size of your account.

Finally, you'll need to pay a storage fee to the depository that holds your investment. Some custodians charge a flat annual fee, while others base their storage fees on the amount of gold in the account.

On top of these basic fees, IRA providers can choose whether to charge a commission for buying gold for their clients.

Unfortunately, gold IRA fees are often steeper than traditional IRAs and 401(k) fees. However, many investors find that the benefits of gold investing make these higher fees worth the cost.

Where are the precious metals inside your gold IRA stored?

When you open a gold IRA account, you will need to store your investment with a custodian, such as a bank. However, you can choose which custodian will hold your gold for you.

Some gold IRA companies work with specific depositories, making it easy to transfer your investment to those facilities. However, you can choose to work with these custodians or different ones.

Either way, we recommend asking a depository for its licenses and registrations before you trust it with your gold investment. Failing to perform these background checks may place you at risk of losing your investment entirely.

Final thoughts on Gold-Backed IRAs

Investing in a gold IRA is an excellent way to diversify your retirement portfolio and minimize the volatility of your assets. Thankfully, when you work with one of the reputable gold IRA companies on our list, you can take advantage of an easy setup process, work with an advisor with industry expertise, and choose from a wide selection of precious metal coins and bullion.

If you're still unsure which IRA provider is the best gold IRA company for your needs, we recommend requesting the free booklet from each provider and comparing the benefits and drawbacks of each organization. However, because all of these gold IRA providers offer similar services, you can't go wrong choosing any of them to facilitate your gold IRA investment.

If you've been stressing about your retirement fund, investing in a gold IRA could be your answer. Check out the companies on our list today to start the process of rolling over funds from an existing retirement account to a more stable gold IRA.

Summary of the Top Gold IRA Companies

Goldco: Best gold ira company and most trusted overall

Birch Gold Group: Best selection of precious metals

American Hartford Group

Oxford Gold Group

Augusta Precious Metals

Noble Gold: Best customer support

Patriot Gold Group

Advantage Gold

Lear Capital

Regal Assets