Starter guide
What retirement savers should know before considering a gold IRA
A gold IRA may be useful for some investors seeking diversification, but it is not a guaranteed hedge, not a source of guaranteed returns, and not a fit for every retirement plan.
This page is educational only and is not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Consider speaking with qualified professionals before making retirement-account decisions.
1. What a precious-metals IRA is
A precious-metals IRA is generally a self-directed IRA that can hold certain IRS-eligible metals through an approved custodian and storage arrangement.
2. Why investors research them
Common reasons include portfolio diversification, concern about inflation, interest in hard assets, and desire to learn alternatives to conventional paper assets. These reasons do not remove risk.
3. Costs to understand
- Account setup fees
- Annual custodian/admin fees
- Storage fees
- Dealer spreads or markups
- Shipping, liquidation, and buyback terms
4. Questions to ask any provider
- What fees apply in year one and later years?
- Which custodian and depository are used?
- What metals are IRS eligible?
- How does the buyback process work?
- What disclosures are required before opening an account?
5. Next step
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