Articles Categorized in: Blog

How Do I Know If My IRA is Traditional?

IRAs enable investors to save pre-tax and grow tax-deferred until withdrawing them at retirement – this may be especially helpful for those anticipating lower income tax brackets during retirement. Those unsure whether their IRA qualifies as traditional should contact the institution where it was opened and provide a recent statement for verification purposes. This should provide all the necessary details needed to make an informed decision. Taxes Traditional IRAs have income limits and tax deductions, as well as being the...
Read More

Which Gold Investment is Best?

Gold may or may not be suitable as an investment depending on your resources and goals. Larger investors seeking direct exposure may prefer physical bullion as it offers direct ownership – though this comes at an added premium and storage costs. Are You Looking to Add Gold to Your Portfolio Without Storing it Directly? Consider Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) or Mutual Funds that Hold Gold-backed Assets Gold Coins Gold coins are an attractive investment option for investors seeking non-correlated returns and...
Read More

Are Silver Bars IRA Approved?

Silver is an attractive investment choice for retirees looking to diversify their retirement portfolio. Silver’s performance often shines during periods of geopolitical turmoil or economic unease. Though not all silver coins and bars meet IRS requirements for eligibility in an IRA account, there are plenty of quality offerings that do. Common examples of approved silver bullion products from Asahi Refining, SilverTowne Prospector and Sunshine Minting can be found among others. Purity Silver bars can provide your retirement portfolio with the...
Read More

How Much Gold Can I Carry With Me When Traveling Abroad?

While traveling abroad, up to 1 kg of gold may be brought along and declared. Doing this will prevent delays at customs when arriving back in the US. Duty-free allowance only applies to gold jewelry; other forms of gold require paying duty. 1. Weight Gold, one of the heaviest precious metals on Earth, can be costly to ship and insure, taking up precious luggage space in flights around the globe. However, you may be able to carry gold onto international...
Read More

Can You Convert an IRA to Silver?

If you’re considering investing in silver, one question may arise as you consider conversion of your current IRA to this precious metal. While conversion can be done successfully, the process does require careful thought and the assistance of a knowledgeable specialist. Selecting an experienced firm to assist with rolling over your IRA is key to its success, and Augusta Precious Metals boasts an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau as well as numerous positive reviews on Trustpilot. Their top-quality...
Read More

How Do I Invest in GLD?

Gold has quickly become an essential asset in many investment portfolios. One effective way of diversifying into it is through GLD, the world’s largest gold exchange-traded fund (ETF). GLD is backed by physical gold stored in London vaults. Investors utilize GLD for various purposes, including protecting against currency weakness and inflation. How does GLD work? GLD provides investors with an innovative way to access the gold market without the hassles and insuring of physical bullion purchases, storage, or insurance costs...
Read More

What is a Medallion Stamp and Why is it So Hard to Get One?

Medallion stamps, also known as signature guarantees, are used to verify the identity of anyone signing documents and are typically required when transferring securities. They are secured against bank assets. Gaining access to medallion stamps may prove challenging due to banks and credit unions being wary of taking on large financial liabilities; however, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of success: Banks Are Reluctant Medallion signature guarantees are special stamps designed to limit financial institutions’ liabilities...
Read More

Wells Fargo Medallion Stamp

Medallion stamps are special signature guarantees used to transfer securities between institutions, typically banks and credit unions, but also available from brokerage firms and certain law firms. Financial institutions usually provide this service free of charge to existing customers; however, new applicants may incur an application fee. Wells Fargo Wells Fargo is one of the country’s leading banks, offering services such as checking, savings and credit cards as well as mobile apps and online bill pay. Zelle allows users to...
Read More

Can I Withdraw From a Self Directed Roth IRA?

Your self-directed IRA allows you to withdraw funds if certain criteria are met, making them suitable for paying healthcare premiums or college costs. Just ensure you verify information like prices and asset values before withdrawing any funds from it. As well, avoid investing in collectibles or life insurance that are considered conflict of interest transactions by the IRS, along with investments that require regular maintenance or have higher-than-average fees. It’s tax-free Self-directed Roth IRAs provide investors with more flexibility to...
Read More

Can I Hold Cryptocurrency in a Self-Directed IRA?

With Bitcoin prices surging, investors are naturally asking if crypto assets can be held within retirement accounts. While the answer is “yes,” it is essential that investors understand all their options before attempting any investments. IRA Financial is the first self-directed IRA provider to offer an IRA Bitstamp solution, enabling owners to purchase cryptocurrency directly on an exchange using their own name while holding onto it securely with institutional-grade cold storage solutions. Taxes If you are investing your retirement account...
Read More