How to Open a Precious Metals IRA
Precious metals provide an invaluable diversifier to your retirement portfolio, acting as an insurance policy against currency devaluation, geopolitical uncertainty and inflation.
Your precious metals IRA can be opened by contacting a reputable dealer that specializes in these accounts and adheres to IRS requirements. Either transfer funds from existing IRAs or establish new self-directed accounts – either way the process will help ensure your finances are in safe hands.
What is an IRA?
A precious metals IRA allows investors to invest in physical gold (coins and bullion), silver, platinum, and palladium without incurring tax consequences. Investors may fund their account using cash, rollover from another retirement account, or both methods; once funded they can purchase metals based on individual goals and investment strategies before having their precious metals stored safely by an IRA provider in a depository facility.
As opposed to standard IRAs, precious metals IRAs are considered alternative investments and require management by an IRA company familiar with IRS regulations regarding these accounts. As a result, setup fees and transaction costs tend to be higher compared with standard IRAs.
Financial experts typically suggest allocating no more than 10% of your portfolio to precious metals as an add-on asset, not as a replacement asset. A financial advisor can help you understand how precious metals fit into your investment strategy.
How do I open an IRA?
Investing in precious metals through an IRA is easy if you choose the appropriate custodian. Look for companies with transparent pricing, competitive storage rates and no ancillary fees; as well as those that can answer questions about IRS guidelines regarding eligible coins and bars as IRA investments.
People seeking exposure to precious metals without opening a precious metals IRA should consider exchange-traded funds that track gold or silver indexes as another method for investing. But keep in mind that ETFs tend to be much more volatile than physical bullion, lacking in security that traditional or precious metals IRAs provide.
Anyone eligible for opening a traditional IRA may open a precious metals IRA; however, the account must be opened with an approved self-directed IRA custodian that offers this type of account and adheres to all rules for contributions, withdrawals and taxes that apply to traditional IRA accounts.
What are the benefits of a precious metals IRA?
Many investors turn to precious metals investments during times of financial uncertainty as an ‘insurance policy’ – particularly gold, which has performed admirably despite stock market fluctuations.
An investment in precious metals IRA can provide an effective means of diversifying your retirement portfolio while potentially realizing tax-efficient growth. But, before making this choice, it is vitally important that you fully comprehend all associated risks.
When choosing a metals dealer for your IRA, look for reliable companies with competitive and transparent pricing as well as customer education programs and no pressure sales tactics.
Be sure to confirm with the IRA custodian whether purchasing physical metal from a trusted dealer and storing it in an IRS-compliant depository meets IRS requirements; otherwise, this transaction could be considered a cash withdrawal and subject to taxes. As an alternative, in-kind distributions could be taken when they receive precious metal from dealers.
What are the requirements to open an IRA?
Conventional retirement accounts offer limited investment options, while precious metals IRAs give investors greater diversification options and help protect against inflation. To open one, first create a self-directed IRA account with an IRA custodian who allows alternative investments.
Once this step has been taken, work with a precious metals dealer to purchase physical gold (coins and bullion) that meets IRS fineness guidelines from an IRA custodian who will ship it off to an approved depository for storage.
As per IRS regulations, it’s crucial that precious metals be stored safely at home; any attempt at “home storage” would violate IRS regulations. Although some companies provide this option, such as Kelli Click from STRATA Trust Company recommends professional depository that offers IRA-compliant storage instead. Alternatively, have them shipped directly to your IRA custodian – either way your metals won’t go anywhere without you!
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