What Is a Gold IRA?
A Gold IRA (also called a Precious Metals IRA) is a self-directed Individual Retirement Account that holds physical gold, silver, platinum, or palladium instead of paper assets. It follows the same tax advantages as a traditional or Roth IRA but requires a specialized custodian and IRS-approved depository for metal storage.
Gold IRAs have grown significantly in popularity since gold's +65% return in 2025 and its all-time high of $5,603/oz in January 2026. However, they come with higher fees and complexity than standard IRAs.
2026 Gold IRA Rules (IRS Requirements)
| Rule | 2026 Requirement |
|---|---|
| Contribution limit | $7,000/year ($8,000 if age 50+) — verify at irs.gov |
| Gold purity | 99.5% minimum (0.995 fineness) |
| Silver purity | 99.9% minimum |
| Platinum/Palladium | 99.95% minimum |
| Storage | Must be in IRS-approved depository (no home storage) |
| Early withdrawal | 10% penalty + income tax before age 59.5 |
| RMD age | Required Minimum Distributions start at 73 |
| Rollover deadline | 60 days for indirect rollover (direct rollover has no deadline) |
IRS-Approved Gold for IRAs
Approved Coins
- American Gold Eagle (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz) - Exception: only 91.67% pure but specifically IRS-approved
- American Gold Buffalo (1 oz) - 99.99% pure
- Canadian Gold Maple Leaf (1 oz) - 99.99% pure
- Austrian Gold Philharmonic (1 oz) - 99.99% pure
- Australian Gold Kangaroo (1 oz) - 99.99% pure
Approved Bars
- Must be from LBMA-accredited or COMEX-approved refiner
- Common refiners: PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, Credit Suisse, Perth Mint, Royal Canadian Mint
- Sizes: 1 oz, 10 oz, 1 kilo bars
NOT Approved
- Collectible or numismatic coins (Krugerrands, pre-1933 US gold coins)
- Jewellery or scrap gold
- Bars from non-accredited refiners
Gold IRA Costs Breakdown
| Fee Type | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Account setup | $50 - $100 | One-time; often waived for large accounts |
| Annual custodian fee | $75 - $300 | Some charge flat fee, others % of assets |
| Storage (commingled) | $100 - $150/year | Metals stored with others in shared vault |
| Storage (segregated) | $150 - $300/year | Your metals stored separately - recommended |
| Dealer markup | 3% - 8% over spot | Compare to AURUM live spot prices |
| Wire transfer | $25 - $50 | Per transaction |
Total first-year cost for a $50,000 Gold IRA: approximately $500 - $1,500 (excluding dealer markup on metal purchases).
How to Rollover a 401(k) to a Gold IRA
- Choose a custodian - Select an IRS-approved self-directed IRA custodian that handles precious metals.
- Open your account - Complete the custodian's application. Provide ID, beneficiary info, and funding source.
- Request a direct rollover - Contact your 401(k) provider and request a direct (trustee-to-trustee) transfer. This avoids the 20% tax withholding that applies to indirect rollovers.
- Fund your account - Once funds arrive (typically 1-2 weeks), instruct your custodian to purchase IRS-approved gold.
- Metal is purchased and shipped - Your custodian works with an authorized dealer to buy metals at current spot + markup.
- Depository storage - Gold is shipped to an IRS-approved depository (Delaware Depository, Brink's, etc.). You receive a storage receipt.
The entire process takes 2-4 weeks from application to metals in the vault.
Gold IRA vs Other Gold Investments
| Factor | Gold IRA | Gold ETF (GLD) | Physical Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tax advantage | Yes (IRA rules) | In IRA only | No |
| You hold metal | Yes (in depository) | No (paper claim) | Yes |
| Annual fees | $200-$600 | 0.40% expense ratio | $0 (self-stored) |
| Liquidity | Days (sell + distribute) | Instant (market hours) | Variable |
| Counterparty risk | Low (physical metal) | Medium (fund manager) | None |