Can You Buy Gold With a Traditional IRA?
Gold and silver investments are an excellent way to diversify your retirement portfolio and provide security and stability during times of economic instability. Inflation protection may also benefit from such investments, since gold tends to gain value while fiat currencies decline in value.
Before purchasing gold with your traditional IRA, there are several considerations you must keep in mind.
Taxes
Gold IRA investments are subject to the same taxes as any other IRA investment, with withdrawals subject to tax based on your current income bracket and taxed accordingly when they leave the account – however there will not be an early withdrawal penalty as with other types of IRAs.
Gold IRA investors should also be aware that in addition to taxes, additional expenses associated with physical precious metals must also be covered, including account setup, storage and insurance fees. All costs should be carefully considered prior to making their decision.
IRS rules regarding gold IRAs stipulate that an approved precious metals dealer and custodian be used, with eligible gold, silver, and platinum bullion products meeting a minimum fineness standard of 99.5% being accepted – American Gold Eagle bullion coins do not meet this quality standard and therefore shouldn’t be included as eligible investments in an IRA. Investing in one might not be right for everyone so it is wise to consult a financial advisor prior to making such a decision.
Fees
Purchase of physical gold through retirement funds comes at a cost. Your IRA custodian, precious metal dealer and depository may charge fees for storage and insurance that can add up quickly.
Investors should shop around to find the most economical gold IRA rollover prices, and focus on companies with transparent fees and minimum investment requirements, along with an outstanding track record and strong customer service reputation.
Gold IRA companies typically maintain a network of secure storage facilities that meet IRS standards for security and insurance, offering both commingled storage (which helps save money by pooling gold between investors) and home storage options, the latter of which gives more control. Also keep shipping costs in mind should you wish to exchange or sell precious metals in the future, and look at alternatives such as gold-backed bonds as a possible form of holdings.
Storage
The Internal Revenue Service requires gold IRAs to be stored in approved depository vaults or safes that meet specific security and insurance requirements, meaning you cannot store your precious metals at home or in a personal safe like you might with most investments.
Most companies that provide gold IRAs partner with reliable storage facilities that offer approved precious metals storage for an IRA account. Storage fees should typically be included as part of your annual account maintenance fees; however, you should still double check that your company is not overcharging you for storage and insurance fees.
Some precious-metal dealers tout themselves as providing a “loophole” that permits you to buy and self-store physical gold IRAs at home, but this practice is prohibited by the IRS and could result in penalties for early withdrawal and distribution — both of which would incur an extra 10% penalty under IRS Codes 401(k) and 408(m).
Insurance
Investing in physical precious metals such as gold can incur additional storage and insurance fees that reduce overall investment returns. Some gold IRA companies provide competitive pricing and customer service that puts customer satisfaction first; it is important to compare fees among different Gold IRA companies when making investment decisions for retirement plans.
Gold IRAs provide tax-advantaged retirement accounts with the opportunity to buy precious metals tax-deferred, providing diversification benefits while protecting against inflation. But these accounts also tend to charge higher fees than traditional IRAs, potentially leaving your portfolio exposed.
The IRS mandates that you store gold approved for an IRA at a company meeting specific security and insurance requirements. You cannot store it at home in a safe or with personal possessions – this is particularly relevant if you want immediate access to it as retirement income or other purposes arise. A self-directed IRA, gold stocks, mutual funds holding mining stocks or ETFs tracking a gold index might provide immediate access.
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