Gold IRAs have higher maintenance fees than other types of IRAs because of the additional costs associated with investing in gold. In addition to brokerage fees and account setup fees, the investor must pay additional costs to store and insure the precious metal. Rules against holding collectibles Tax legislation prohibits IRA holders from investing in life insurance, stock in an S corporation, or collectibles. Some types of gold coins are classed as collectibles and would break the rules.
What is confusing and frustrating is that some gold coins and types of gold bars are allowed, others are not. And it’s not like the IRS keeps a master list of what’s allowed and what isn’t. A gold IRA company usually has an order desk that can help you select gold (or other precious metals) that fit your investment strategy — or at least shed some light on the gold products most commonly ordered by retirement savers. If you really think it’s a good idea, at least check out the IRS rules and custodian fees before you deposit gold into your IRA.
Some Gold IRA providers (“Gold IRA Companies”) offer promotions that can cover some or all fees. However, you should always find out what the fees are and under what circumstances you must pay them yourself. Of course, the deposits don’t work for free, and you’ll have to pay storage and management fees for your Gold IRA. Since gold IRAs must control themselves, investors have ultimate control over their investments. So it’s important to understand the pros and cons. Still, a gold IRA can be a good option for investors who want to diversify their retirement accounts and also take advantage of the hedging benefits that the yellow metal offers over other financial assets, such as fiat currency and stocks.
Remember that not every self-governing IRA custodian bank offers the same investment options. So make sure that physical gold is among their offerings before you open an account. Gold IRAs are very common these days, but traditional financial advisors still generally don’t provide their clients with any information about them. People who would like to invest in gold but don’t want the hassle of setting up a gold IRA have other options. A certified financial planner may be able to give you workable suggestions on how to best incorporate a gold IRA into your strategy and plan, but the final decision is up to you.
I believe the idea behind storing gold or silver in a Roth IRA is to create a tax haven against such an egregious move by the government. There are a few things you should consider before you decide to convert your savings into a gold IRA. Specialized custodian banks such as Fidelity, Schwab or TD Ameritrade do not manage physical gold in an IRA. While IRAs are accessible with impunity from the age of 59 years and six months, retirees must withdraw a specific amount from their IRA each year once they reach 70 years and six months of age.
