* This article isn't financial advice. We may receive a small referral commission if you choose to use the companies we recommend on this page. However, this does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations in any way.
Investing in a gold IRA is a good move if you're looking to diversify your retirement savings, protect yourself against inflation, and keep your assets safe during economic and geopolitical turmoil. Essentially, a gold IRA is supported by physical precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, or palladium.
Setting up a gold IRA can be quite a challenge on your own. That’s why many people opt for the expertise of companies that specialize in gold IRAs. It goes without saying that it's important to choose one of the best gold IRA companies. They should have a deep understanding of IRS regulations to help you avoid any penalties.
To help you make a well-informed choice, I've looked into and ranked some of the top gold IRA companies. I evaluated each company on several key points such as their BBB rating, ease of gold IRA setup, fees, variety of precious metals they offer, customer service quality, and the minimum amount needed to invest.
5 Best Gold IRA Companies
- Augusta Precious Metals: Best Gold IRA Company, Most Trusted Overall
- Goldco: Runner-up, Highly Rated Precious Metals Company
- Noble Gold Investments: Best for Product Variety, Popular for Silver IRAs
- American Hartford Gold: Best for Smaller Investors
- Birch Gold Group: Best Customer Service
Review of the Best Precious Metals IRA Companies
#1. Augusta Precious Metals: Best Gold IRA Company Overall
Pros:
- Hassle-free IRA and 401(k) to gold IRA rollover process
- Trusted by Investopedia, Forbes, Money Magazine, and celebrities like Joe Montana
- Complete freedom to choose what products you want to include into your gold IRA
- A+ BBB rating, the highest AAA rating at Business Consumer Alliance
- Highest buyback guarantee
- Zero setup fees
Cons:
- High investment minimum, not suitable for smaller investors
- Limited platinum and palladium investment options
Augusta Precious Metals is a popular gold investment company that’s been on the market since 2012. Currently, this is one of the most professional companies for setting up gold IRAs.
Their main office is in Casper, Wyoming, but they also operate from several satellite offices across the U.S. This company isn't just about buying gold, it's about providing a structured way to include precious metals in your retirement planning.
Augusta Precious Metals is well-recognized for their gold IRA services, including 401(k) rollovers and IRA transfers. They work closely with investors to handle the bulk of the paperwork, ensuring that they are involved every step of the way and have the final say in the selection of metals.
They don't offer financial advice or portfolio management. Instead, their order desk guides retirement investors through available precious metal products, helping them assemble a portfolio that suits their retirement goals.
Their educational efforts are led by Devlyn Steele, a Harvard-trained economist, who hosts web conferences to deepen investors’ understanding of precious metals investment options.
Their preferred partners for custodial services are Equity Trust and Delaware Depository. These are well-known names in the industry that ensure secure storage and enhance the trust and efficiency of Augusta’s service.
Augusta’s fee structure is straightforward and transparent. There is a one-time $50 account opening fee and annual fees of $100 for administration and storage, respectively. If there’s one big drawback to Augusta is their minimum investment threshold of $50,000. While this ensures a commitment to serious gold IRA investors, it may not be suitable for everyone.
Augusta Precious Metals has received multiple accolades for their ethical business practices and transparency, including top ratings from Money magazine and Investopedia. Their customer satisfaction guarantee includes a 100% 7-day money-back promise and no fees for up to ten years, providing significant peace of mind.
The company has some notable celebrity endorsem*nts, too. Joe Montana recently became Augusta’s customer and ambassador after his financial team vetted the company.
If you're looking for the best gold IRA company that offers personalized service, educational support, and transparent pricing, Augusta Precious Metals is a top choice. Their commitment to customer empowerment and ethical business practices makes them a respected leader in the precious metals industry.
#2. Goldco: Experienced Company for 401(k) Transfers and IRA Rollovers
Pros:
- Holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
- Has more than 4,500 five-star customer reviews
- Provides gold IRAs and direct sales of precious metals
- Features a wide range of gold bars and coins
- Endorsed by Sean Hannity, Chuck Norris, and Ben Stein
- Storage in Texas available (Texas Bullion Depository)
Cons:
- Relatively high investment minimum
Goldco stands out as a leading gold IRA company, dedicated to helping people safeguard and diversify their retirement savings with gold and other precious metals. They've been in the business for over a decade, building a strong reputation for excellent customer service, rollover guidance and expertise in precious metals.
Goldco has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has received more than 4,500 five-star customer ratings on platforms like Google, Trustpilot, and TrustLink combined. They are also endorsed by well-known personalities like Sean Hannity, Chuck Norris, and Ben Stein.
The company offers both precious metals IRAs and direct purchases of gold and silver. They've helped thousands of Americans invest over $2 billion in these metals. Setting up a precious metals IRA with them is straightforward — a Goldco precious metals specialist will guide you through the entire process, from funding your self-directed IRA to choosing your metals.
You can fund your self-directed IRA through rollovers or transfers from existing retirement accounts, such as a 401(k), 403(b), 457, TSP, or Roth IRA without tax consequences.
Goldco provides a range of IRS-approved precious metals, including gold and silver coins from global mints with a minimum fineness of .995%, and gold and silver bars that meet the .999% fineness requirement.
A key benefit of choosing Goldco is their highest buyback price guarantee, giving you peace of mind in your investment. If your investment goals or circ*mstances change, they offer to buy back your precious metals at a guaranteed highest price.
If you’re Interested in learning more about Goldco, you can request their free gold IRA kit. The kit includes a printed guide, an audio guide, and a video guide, delivered to your home free of charge, including shipping and handling. For a limited time, Goldco is also offering up to $10,000 in free silver on qualifying orders.
#3. Noble Gold: Great Product Variety and Selection of Silver, Platinum, and Palladium
Pros:
- Relatively low minimum investment requirement of $20,000
- Exclusive storage option in Texas
- Offers multiple storage locations for deposits
- Provides an extensive collection of educational materials
- Enables online account opening
- Includes a buyback program
Cons:
- No pricing information online
Noble Gold Investments is a popular gold investment company that sells gold, silver, palladium, and platinum coins along with valuable rare coins. You can buy gold and other 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 with gold investments.
#4. American Hartford Gold: Best Gold IRA Reviews, Good Choice for Smaller Investors
Pros:
- Has the lowest minimum investment requirement than other gold IRA companies
- A+ rating from the BBB, 5-star reviews, and a large number of satisfied clients
- Offers a lowest price guarantee and charges no buy-back fees
- Exclusively endorsed by Bill O'Reilly, Rick Harrison, and other notable figures
- Provides a free consultation with a precious metals specialist
- Featured in media outlets like Newsmax, Fox News, RSBN, and Epoch Times
Cons:
- Doesn't offer palladium
- There's no gold and silver pricing on the website
American Hartford Gold is a company that specializes in precious metals and offers a range of services designed to make investing in gold and silver accessible and straightforward.
For anyone new to gold IRA investing, they provide a free investor’s kit. This kit is a comprehensive resource that explains the ins and outs of gold IRA investments, helping you understand how to start and manage your investments effectively.
Additionally, American Hartford Gold provides up to $10,000 in free silver on qualifying purchases, which they will deliver directly to your home. They ensure your privacy by not sharing your personal information with any private or public entities, maintaining your confidentiality.
Their customer service is another area where they excel. The team is composed of knowledgeable and friendly precious metal specialists who are readily available to answer any questions and guide you through the process of purchasing or investing in gold and silver. They aim to simplify the buying process as much as possible for their clients.
American Hartford Gold also offers a 100% free IRA rollover service, which includes free storage, maintenance, and insurance for up to three years. For those looking to sell their investments, they provide a buyback program without any additional liquidation fees.
Lastly, all physical deliveries of gold and silver are shipped for free, directly to your door, securely registered and insured. This ensures that your investments are protected throughout the shipping process.
Overall, American Hartford Gold appears committed to providing valuable services and support to help individuals secure and manage their precious metal investments efficiently.
I've been looking into American Hartford Gold, and I can tell you they're quite respected in the gold IRA industry. They've got top-notch customer satisfaction with 5-star ratings on platforms like Trustpilot and Google. They started in 2015 and hold an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
They've also caught the eye on a national scale, making it to the top of Inc. 5000's list for America's fastest-growing private companies in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Plus, they're recommended by well-known figures like Lou Dobbs, Bill O'Reilly, and Rick Harrison, which speaks volumes about their credibility.
American Hartford Gold offers a range of services designed to help people safeguard their finances by investing in precious metals. They provide options for setting up precious metal IRAs, rolling over existing IRAs into gold or silver, and buying gold and silver bars and coins directly.
If you're thinking about buying directly, the starting point is $5,000, but if you're looking to roll over into a gold IRA, the minimum investment is $10,000.
#5. Birch Gold Group: Reputable Precious Metals Company, Experts in Gold IRA Rollover
Pros:
- Offers excellent customer service
- Specialists in self-directed IRAs
- Facilitates rollovers from Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, and 403(b)s into precious metals
- Offers a variety of storage options for precious metals investments
- Focuses on both IRA transfers and rollovers
- Provides a free guide to investing in precious metals
Cons:
- Limited selection of platinum and palladium
I've been dealing with Birch Gold Group since they started back in 2003. This company has helped over 13,000 customers and has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
They sell gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in various forms like coins, bars, and rounds. You can buy these precious metals directly or you can set up a precious metals IRA with them.
If you're interested in starting a gold or silver IRA, it's pretty straightforward. You begin by opening an account and deciding how you want to fund it. You can transfer money from an existing IRA or roll over a 401(k) into a new self-directed IRA. Their precious metals specialists are there to help you sort out your accounts, move your funds, and clear up any questions.
After your account is funded, you pick the metals you want and how much of each you'd like to buy. Once you purchase gold, a specialist checks your order and sends you a confirmation. They'll also explain your storage options.
Birch Gold Group uses trusted depositories like Brink's Global Service and Delaware Depository for storing your IRA metals, offering up to $1 billion in insurance.
You can always reach out to your specialist to check on how your metals are doing or to tweak your account. They're great at guiding you through the whole process and making sure your investments are doing well.
If you don't want to go the IRA route, you can simply buy metals directly. Just fund your purchase through a wire transfer or a personal check, and Birch Gold Group will send your metals to you in secure, insured packaging.
If you want to know more about them, you can get a free info kit from their website. It includes a booklet that explains how to diversify your savings with precious metals.
I really think Birch Gold Group is the top choice for anyone looking to invest in a gold IRA. They offer expert advice and support every step of the way.
What Is A Gold IRA?
You might already be familiar with 401(k) and traditional IRA accounts. These retirement accounts let you invest in things like index funds and stocks to build up your retirement savings. However, most of these accounts don't let you invest in gold. That's where gold individual retirement accounts (IRAs) come into play.
Gold IRAs are special types of IRAs that hold precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. They work much like traditional IRAs, allowing you to make pre-tax contributions within similar income and contribution limits.
The main difference is that while traditional IRAs and 401(k)s hold stocks and other financial assets, precious metals IRAs hold actual physical precious metals. When you buy precious metals in a gold IRA, these must be stored securely at a location outside your home, typically with a custodian in a secure depository.
Choosing a reliable gold IRA company from our recommended list can make the process smoother. These companies are well-versed in the IRS regulations governing retirement accounts and can guide you through the process of setting up your gold IRA, helping ensure your portfolio remains profitable. Many of these gold IRA companies also work with custodians to secure your investments.
Investing in a gold IRA offers several advantages for your retirement planning. Gold tends to be more stable than stocks and bonds, helping to diversify your portfolio and reduce volatility.
Gold IRAs also offer unique tax benefits. Your contributions and the growth on your investment are not taxed, and your contributions might be deductible.
Overall, a gold IRA is a solid option to consider for adding stability and diversity to your retirement investments. Another option is a gold IRA rollover, where you transfer funds from an existing IRA into a gold IRA. We'll talk more about this option later.
How We Ranked The Best Gold Investment Companies
If you're considering opening a gold IRA or other precious metals IRA, it's important to choose a reputable and trustworthy company to help you through the process. Investing in gold IRAs can be costly, and picking the wrong provider could lead to expensive errors.
In selecting the best gold IRA companies for our list, we focused on several key indicators of a reliable, knowledgeable, and reputable company. Here’s what we considered:
Reputation and Reviews
A company’s reputation often reflects its service quality. For gold investment companies, a positive reputation can significantly enhance your overall experience. A good way to check a company's reputation is through the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
This organization collects consumer reviews and complaints and rates companies from A+ to F, with A+ being the highest. The companies on our list all have at least a B rating from the BBB and more positive gold IRA reviews than negative ones.
Ease of Setup
The best precious metal IRA companies streamline the setup process to attract new clients, often allowing you to establish a gold IRA in just a few days. They also provide direct access to investment professionals to guide you through the setup. Our selected companies are known for their straightforward setup processes and responsive customer support.
Costs and Fees
While most gold IRA companies charge fees to cover account setup, maintenance, and secure storage of precious metals, these fees should be reasonable. Extremely low or zero fees might indicate insufficient service quality, while very high fees could suggest a focus on profit over customer service. We chose companies that charge fair and transparent fees.
Selection of Gold and Silver Products
Diversification is a common reason for opening a gold IRA, so working with a company that offers a variety of precious metals is important. Some companies on our list specialize in gold and silver coins with extensive selections, while others provide options for investing in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in both coins and bars. One company, Regal Assets, even allows investments in cryptocurrencies.
Buybacks
For added flexibility, some gold IRA investors prefer companies that offer buyback options. This means you can sell your precious metals back to the company without extra fees.
Companies for gold IRA investing that facilitate easy buybacks can provide peace of mind, particularly if you're new to investing in precious metals. Many of our recommended gold IRA companies offer reliable buyback options and may even cover the shipping costs if you decide to sell back to them.
Choosing the right company is about finding a balance of good reputation, ease of setup, reasonable costs, diverse product offerings, and supportive buyback options.
The Rules of Gold IRA Investing
Gold IRA rules are guidelines from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that detail how to set up, contribute to, and withdraw from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) that hold physical gold or other precious metals. Here are some important rules to keep in mind:
Using a Self-Directed IRA
To include precious metals like gold and silver in your IRA, you need a self-directed IRA. This type of IRA is different from traditional IRAs because it allows you to invest in a broader range of assets, including precious metals and real estate.
Eligible Precious Metals
The IRS has specific requirements for the types of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars that can be included in a gold IRA. These metals must meet certain purity standards. For example, gold must be 99.5% pure, and silver needs to be 99.9% pure to qualify.
Gold Custodian Requirement
You need to work with a gold IRA custodian to manage your self-directed IRA. They help set up the IRA, handle fund transfers to your chosen precious metals dealer, and oversee the shipping of your metals to an IRS-approved storage facility. Many of the top gold IRA companies have established relationships with experienced gold IRA custodians, helping to streamline the process.
Contribution Limits
The IRS sets yearly contribution limits for gold IRAs. For 2024, the limit is $6,500 if you're under 50 and $7,500 for those 50 or older. These limits might increase with inflation in the future. Also, you can roll over assets from a 401(k) or another retirement account to buy precious metals without any cap on the transfer amount.
Storing Gold in an IRS-Approved Depository
IRS regulations require that you don't physically hold the precious metals in your self-directed gold IRA. Instead, they must be stored in an IRS-approved facility, or depository, which ensures your metals are securely held until you decide to take a distribution through your gold IRA custodian.
Benefits of Gold IRA Investing for Retirement
You might be wondering whether it's beneficial to invest in gold for your retirement instead of just sticking with a traditional IRA or 401(k). Is it worth the effort to transfer funds into a gold IRA?
Investing in gold can be a smart move for several reasons. Here are a few key points to consider if you're thinking about using gold to fund your retirement.
Gold Holds its Value
Gold is a stable investment because it tends to keep its value over time. It's highly valued by consumers and has been for hundreds of years. Gold also resists corrosion and keeps its appealing appearance indefinitely.
Gold Is a Great Hedge Against Inflation
You're likely familiar with inflation, where the dollar's value decreases over time. For instance, a house that was affordable 50 years ago costs much more today. To stay ahead, your investments need to grow faster than the rate of inflation.
Gold serves as a hedge against this inflation. Its price changes based on supply and demand, the amount of gold held in bank reserves, and investor behavior. Typically, when the dollar weakens, gold prices go up.
Gold Offers Protection Against Deflation
In times of deflation, when prices drop sharply due to reduced demand — like during the Great Depression — people seek safe places to store their money.
Gold has proven to be a stable option during such times, often seeing its purchasing power increase when other investments falter.
Gold Can Diversify Your Investment Portfolio
There's a well-known saying: "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." This is especially true in investing. Focusing only on one type of asset can expose you to significant risks and potential losses.
What Is a Gold IRA Rollover and How It Works
A gold IRA rollover is the process of moving funds from an existing retirement account, like a 401(k) or traditional IRA, into a self-directed IRA that includes investments in physical gold or other precious metals.
There are specific IRS rules and regulations that govern gold IRA rollovers. For instance, if you roll over funds from an IRA, you must invest those funds in a new IRA within 60 days to avoid penalties. On the other hand, with an IRA transfer, the funds move directly from one account to another without ever being in your personal bank account.
A rollover generally involves more steps than a direct transfer between IRAs. However, rollovers are typically completed within 60 days. Many reputable gold IRA companies can help simplify this process, ensuring it goes smoothly and helping you avoid any penalties from mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Precious Metals IRAs
What is the minimum investment for gold IRAs?
There isn't a set minimum investment amount for opening a gold IRA as per IRS rules. However, individual gold IRA companies often set their own minimums. For instance, Augusta Precious Metals requires a minimum investment of $50,000.
There are other companies that might offer more flexible minimum investments. If you're looking to start with a smaller amount, it's a good idea to search for a company that allows lower initial investments.
Can I store my precious metals at home?
Many people ask if they can store the gold from their gold IRA at home. Unfortunately, the answer is no. IRS regulations mandate that gold bought through an IRA must be held by an approved custodian, such as a bank or financial institution.
Storing gold at home would treat it as a distributed asset, subjecting you to a potential 10% penalty and income taxes on that distribution. This could also trigger a tax audit, possibly leading to further penalties.
If you want to have direct control over storing your gold, consider purchasing it directly. Some gold IRA providers will ship gold directly to you and even offer insurance during transit, allowing you to manage how and where you store it once it arrives.
What are the disadvantages of opening a gold IRA account?
Opening a gold IRA account can come with some challenges. These include storage and maintenance fees, a narrower range of investment options, and the inherent volatility of precious metals markets. The gold IRA fees for storing and maintaining gold can reduce the overall profit you make from your investments.
Also, a gold IRA only allows you to invest in physical gold and other precious metals, excluding assets like stocks or bonds. The value of these metals can also fluctuate significantly, which can affect the stability of your investment. It’s important to consider these aspects alongside your risk tolerance and investment goals before deciding on a gold IRA.
Which IRS-approved coins can you hold in a gold IRA?
The metals you choose for a gold IRA must meet IRS standards for purity. Specifically, gold, platinum, and palladium coins must be 99.5% pure, and silver coins must be 99.9% pure.
The IRS has approved several types of coins for inclusion in gold IRAs like physical gold bullion and other precious metal coins:
- 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
Choosing a reputable gold IRA provider ensures that the gold coins you purchase comply with these IRS requirements.
How much does a gold IRA cost?
Investing in a gold IRA typically involves several types of fees. First, there's an initial setup fee for opening your account, usually between $50 to $150, though some providers may waive this for larger deposits.
Then, there's an annual administrative fee to maintain your account, which also ranges from $50 to $150 and may vary with the size of your account.
Additionally, you will incur a storage fee paid to the depository that secures your gold and silver bullion, which can be a flat rate or vary based on the amount stored.
While the overall cost of maintaining a gold IRA may be higher than that of traditional IRAs or 401(k)s, many gold IRA investors find the potential benefits of investing in gold worth these extra costs.
Summary of the Top Gold IRA Companies
Here's a brief side-by-side comparison of the five gold IRA companies we discussed:
Augusta Precious Metals
- Strengths: Known for excellent personalized service and educational resources. They offer a streamlined process for 401(k) rollovers and IRA transfers. Highly trusted with endorsem*nts from notable figures like Joe Montana.
- Drawbacks: Higher investment minimum at $50,000 and limited platinum and palladium options.
Goldco
- Strengths: Renowned for customer service and a wide range of IRS-approved gold and silver products. Offers a comprehensive gold IRA kit and a high buyback price guarantee.
- Drawbacks: High investment minimum.
Noble Gold
- Strengths: Offers a diverse selection of precious metals and straightforward gold IRA setup. Known for competitive pricing and multiple storage options, including an exclusive option in Texas.
- Drawbacks: Lacks online pricing information.
American Hartford Gold
- Strengths: Accessible to smaller investors with a minimum investment requirement of $10,000 for IRAs. Offers free investor kits, excellent customer service, and no fee buyback program.
- Drawbacks: Does not offer palladium and lacks online pricing details.
Birch Gold Group
- Strengths: Specializes in self-directed IRAs and offers a variety of precious metals products with secure storage options. Provides excellent customer support and educational resources.
- Drawbacks: Limited selection of platinum and palladium products.
Each of these companies has its own unique advantages and a few limitations, making them suitable for different types of investors based on their specific needs and investment sizes.
Final Thoughts on Gold IRAs
Investing in a gold IRA is a great way to diversify your retirement portfolio and reduce the volatility of your assets. When you choose a reputable gold IRA company from our list, you’ll find the setup process straightforward, get guidance from an experienced advisor, and have a wide range of precious metal coins and bullion to select from.
If you’re unsure which IRA provider is the best fit for you, we suggest requesting the free booklet from each provider to compare their benefits and drawbacks. Since these gold IRA providers offer similar services, any of them would be a good choice for your investment.
If you’re worried about your retirement fund, investing in a gold IRA might be the solution. Look at the companies on our list today to begin rolling over funds from your existing retirement account to a more stable gold IRA.
