Should I Have Gold in My IRA?
Gold can bring both advantages and drawbacks when included in an IRA portfolio, so it is wise to conduct extensive research through credible, independent sources before consulting a certified financial planner to understand if gold fits within your portfolio objectives and risk tolerance.
Precious metals investment can provide an alternative asset class as a hedge against inflation or recessions. Before making your decision, however, keep the following key considerations in mind.
Taxes
Tax-favored status of an Individual Retirement Account gives it an edge over other investments. Contribution limits may apply annually and taxes will be due upon distributions during retirement.
Gold can be added to an IRA and enjoy similar tax incentives as other investments in it, providing added stability without risk of serious loss as paper assets may.
Your metals must meet IRS guidelines regarding size, weight and design to be eligible for inclusion in an IRA account. When purchasing bullion to add to an IRA account, look for products marked “IRA-compatible” or “IRA-approved.”
Additionally, you’ll incur both one-time setup and storage fees for gold IRA accounts; though these costs vary according to each custodian’s fee schedule; storage fees tend to be higher than for traditional IRAs and should be stored with an IRS approved depository facility; in addition to annual custodian fees that would typically accrue.
Security
Gold can make an excellent addition to an IRA portfolio because its performance is independent from stocks and bonds; therefore, during times of economic disruption it won’t move in tandem.
Gold can also serve as a way of protecting yourself against inflation. While cash in savings accounts loses value over time, gold tends to increase its purchasing power during periods of rising inflation.
Due to these advantages, many financial and retirement experts recommend including gold in an investment account for retirement purposes. Before opening a gold IRA account however, it’s essential that investors understand its components.
First, select a custodian who offers self-directed IRAs and accepts physical precious metals, such as American Bullion or APMEX. Be wary of companies offering excessive quantities of “free” gold; such offers could be scams. Always inquire further for proof of licenses, insurance and credentials when choosing your custodian.
Withdrawals
Gold has long been prized for its industrial and jewelry uses, but many investors also hold onto physical bullion in IRAs – though these accounts tend to be more costly than traditional ones due to additional fees associated with purchasing and storing this asset.
Gold IRAs provide diversification benefits that reduce overall portfolio risk, yet may not provide exciting returns or help protect against inflation as effectively as other asset classes such as stocks or bonds.
Physical assets like gold can be difficult to liquidate when needed for required minimum distributions (RMDs), making it hard to find buyers when the time comes to take RMDs and sell at below-market value. To avoid such problems, investors may wish to consider a self-directed IRA which allows for greater asset control as well as offering greater investment options than traditional IRAs.
Storage
Store Your Gold in an IRA It may appear illegal to store your own gold in an IRA, but that isn’t the case; however, it can be expensive and complicated to set one up.
Setting up a new special account costs money and incurs associated transaction and asset fees – these costs and fees may differ between types of IRAs; gold IRAs tend to incur greater fees due to dealing with different custodians than other accounts would.
Storage fees and insurance costs will also need to be factored into the equation; due to precious metals being less liquid than stocks or bonds. You’re likely going to hold onto gold long term, leading many investors to opt for “buy and hold” strategies like gold investments – however this doesn’t allow for tax-advantaged growth like with traditional investments like stocks or bonds.
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