Have you always dreamed of owning gold or silver? Do you avoid turning on the news to hear of yet another bad day for the stock market? If so, now may be the perfect time to set up a Gold IRA.
A Gold IRA is a special type of Self-Directed IRA that allows you to hold gold, silver, and other precious metals in your retirement account. Like traditional IRA holders, individuals who open a Gold IRA also get to take advantage of the favorable tax laws for retirement accounts. Plus, you'll receive the added benefits that come along with investing in precious metals and diversifying your investment portfolios.
While there are an abundance of companies that claim to be the best when it comes to setting up a Gold IRA, we've found that many of these companies fall short of their claims and aren't the best choice to work with. After extensive research, we've found that Goldco, Augusta Precious Metals, American Hartford Gold, Birch Gold Group, and Noble Gold are the five best Gold IRA companies.
Today, we're going to take a closer look at the specific services and products you can expect to receive if you choose to work with one of these five companies. Then, you'll have the information you need to make an informed decision about who to give your business to.
Gold IRA Company Reviews
#1. Goldco
Goldco is the crème de la crème when it comes to Gold IRA companies. Out of all the companies on our list, they are our absolute favorite option. Read more about Goldco to see why we think they are the ultimate pick when you're looking for the best Gold IRA company.
About Goldco
Goldco, which was founded in 2006 by Trevor Gerszt, has grown to become one of the most respected names in the precious metals industry. They have received the highest ratings possible from the Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance (A+ and AAA, respectively). Possibly even more telling about the company and how it conducts business, are the hundreds of glowing reviews from past customers.
Goldco offers several services to its clients, including helping them open a Gold IRA and purchasing precious metals as a personal investment.
Setting Up a Gold IRA
Do you think you want to set up a Gold IRA with Goldco? If so, you'll find that they have really streamlined the process to make it as simple and straightforward as possible for customers. Just visit the website and complete the interest form, then you'll work with a member of Goldco's team and your IRA custodian to transfer the funds to your new account. The team member will help you complete all the required paperwork and answer any questions you have about the process.
Adding Coins and Bars to Your IRA
After your account is set up and the funds have arrived, the fun task of selecting the gold or silver coins you want to invest in begins. Goldco offers a wide selection of coins that satisfy the minimum purity levels dictated by the IRS. Gold coins and bars (with the exception of the Gold American Eagle Coin) must be at least 99.5% pure to be held in an IRA. Silver coins and bars will have to have a minimum purity level of at least 99.9% to be held in your IRA.
Below are the coins and bars you can choose from if you decide to work with Goldco:
Gold
Silver
Free Silver Promotion
Did you know that Goldco customers can earn up to 10% back in free silver when they set up a Gold IRA? Well, it is true. Eligible IRAs will qualify for the free silver promotion, which can add up quickly to provide a little extra cushioning for your retirement account. To learn more about this promotion, be sure to visit Goldco's website.
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Augusta Precious Metals is another one of the top Gold IRA companies you may want to consider. They offer incredible customer service paired with a nice selection of gold and silver coins for your IRA. Continue reading to learn more about Augusta Precious Metals.
About Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta Precious Metals has been in business since 2012. The company aims to help each of their customers learn more about precious metals and build their wealth through investing in them. Simplicity, transparency, and service are the three top priorities that are highlighted on Augusta Precious Metals' website.
When you read reviews from past customers, you can tell that Augusta Precious Metals works to live up to and deliver on these priorities. The majority of customers are very pleased that they decided to work with Augusta Precious Metals. In addition to the positive reviews from customers, the company also has an AAA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Setting up a Gold IRA with Augusta Precious Metals
If you're ready to set up a Gold IRA with Augusta Precious Metals, contact the company. One of their account representatives will assist you in making sure the required paperwork is complete. They can connect you with an IRA custodian to initiate the transfer of funds from your existing account.
If you have any questions or concerns along the way, bring them up to the representative you're working with. They'll be happy to assist you.
Adding IRA-Approved Coins and Bars to Your Account
Once the account is set up and the funds have been sent from your existing IRA, it will be time to select the IRA-approved gold and silver bars and coins you wish to add to your account. Again, if you have any questions during this process, don't hesitate to ask your account representative for assistance.
Here are several of the IRA-approved gold and silver bars that Augusta Precious Metals clients can add to the Gold IRA.
Gold
Silver
Secure Precious Metals Storage
As you probably already know, the IRS does not allow individuals to act as their custodian for the precious metals in their IRA. Rather, you are required to store your metals in an IRS-approved depository. Augusta Precious Metals works with the Delaware Depository, one of the most-trusted names in the industry.
When you store your precious metals at the Delaware Depository, you can rest easy knowing that they are protected by first-rate security, high-tech features, and a full insurance policy from Lloyd's of London.
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American Hartford Gold is a top name in the precious metals investment industry. If you'd like to learn more about setting up a Gold IRA with American Hartford Gold, you'll find the information you need to help you decide if they're the company for you in the next few sections.
About American Hartford Gold
Sanford Mann founded American Hartford Gold in 2015. The company started as a family-owned and operated and continues to be a family business to this day. When you take a look at American Hartford Gold's website, you'll see that the company is very proud of their experienced and helpful team of advisors, the high-quality precious metals they have to offer, and their very competitive pricing. American Hartford Gold also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee and has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Setting Up a Gold IRA with American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold wants to make it easy and stress-free for their customers to open a Gold IRA. They have broken the process down into three simple steps:
Below are several of the gold and silver coins that American Hartford Gold has to offer:
Gold
Silver
Free Silver Promotion for Gold IRA Customers
American Hartford Gold is currently running a promotion where customers can earn up to $5,000 in free silver when they set up a qualified IRA. In addition to the free silver, these customers will also benefit from up to three years with no IRA fees.
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#4. Birch Gold Group
When you're searching for the best Gold IRA company, you shouldn't overlook Birch Gold Group. With their top-notch customer service and selection of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars, they certainly have a lot to offer.
About Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold Group, which was founded in 2003, is headquartered in Burbank, California. Since the company was founded, Birch Gold Group has worked hard to meet the needs of each customer. They believe in taking a personalized approach and offering tailored advice based on the investment and financial goals of each of their clients.
According to the website, some of the core values of Birch Gold Group include education, empathy, efficiency, ethics, transparency, and customer empowerment. And, based on the high customer reviews and ratings from the Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance, it is clear that Birch Gold Group is succeeding in meeting these goals.
Open a Precious Metals IRA with Birch Gold Group
If you're interested in opening a Precious Metals IRA with Birch Gold Group, you can visit the website to start the process. Just send a message through the "Contact Us" page or use the toll-free number to call one of the account representatives. The team at Birch Gold Group will help you understand all the steps in the process and offer support and guidance as you complete the necessary paperwork.
Birch Gold Group customers can add gold, silver, platinum, and palladium to their Gold IRA, so you'll have plenty of options to choose from. Below are some of the different coins and bars that are available:
Gold
Silver
Platinum
Palladium
Gold IRA Storage
The IRS requires precious metals for IRAs to be held in an IRS-approved depository. While many other companies only offer storage with one or two different options, Birch Gold Group customers will be able to choose from four different highly-secure, approved depositories. These include:
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#5. Noble Gold
Last up on our list of the best IRA companies is Noble Gold. You can't go wrong if you choose to work with Noble Gold to set up a Gold IRA. Read through the next few sections to learn more about the company.
About Noble Gold
Noble Gold was founded by Collin Plume and Charles Thorngren in 2016. The pair set out to form a company that was honest, friendly, and responsive to the needs of their customers. While Noble Gold hasn't been in business for as long as some of the other companies in this list, they are still among the most-respected names in the industry.
Noble Golds has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and an AA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance. Past customers of Noble Gold also have a lot of positive things to share about their experiences with the company.
Precious Metals IRAs Through Noble Gold
Noble Gold works to help their clients set up a new Precious Metals IRA. They can also help connect you with an IRA custodian company to facilitate transferring the funds from your existing retirement account to your new Gold IRA.
If you think you're ready to open a Gold IRA with Noble Gold, visit their website to contact a member of the team. You can also request a free copy of their Gold and Silver Guide to learn more about setting up a Precious Metals IRA and the types of precious metals you can invest in.
IRA-Approved Coins and Bars
While many other Gold IRA companies only offer gold and silver coins and bars for their customers to invest in, Noble Gold's customers also have the opportunity to invest in platinum and palladium. This gives you an opportunity to diversify your portfolio even further. In the next few sections, you can see several of the gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars that Noble Gold offers to its clients.
Gold
Silver
Platinum
Palladium
Secure IRA Storage
IRS regulations prohibit individuals (in nearly all circumstances) from keeping the precious metals for an IRA in their possession. Rather, your metals will need to be stored in an IRS-approved depository. Noble Gold is proud to offer their customers the option of storing the metals for their IRA with International Depository Services.
International Depository Services has a Dallas, Texas location. This is the first IRS-approved facility in Texas, allowing it to provide a unique chance to store your metals in a state that places a high emphasis on state's rights. Additionally, International Depository Services is a highly-trusted name in the industry, and you should be able to rest easy knowing that your precious metals will remain safe and secure until you retire.
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How to Choose the Best Gold IRA Company
Below, we've put together some pointers to help you choose the best Gold IRA company. When you're adding gold or other precious metals to a retirement account, you want to choose a company that will work with you to help you secure your financial future. Sadly, not all companies have the best interests of their customers in mind, so take your time to choose one that does.
Selection of Precious Metals
One of the first things to consider as you're searching for the best Gold IRA company is the available selection of precious metals. Some companies offer a rather extensive selection of coins and bars, while others many only offer a select few. If you have your sights set on a specific coin or bar, be sure to confirm that it is available from the company you choose to work with.
Additionally, if you are interested in adding platinum or palladium to your portfolio for even greater diversification, you'll have to seek out a company that offers these precious metals. While most companies offer gold and silver, only a few also provide platinum and palladium as an option for their customers.
Customer Service
Customer service is another essential factor to consider during your search. The process of setting up a Gold IRA or rolling over an existing retirement account can be involved and confusing for those who haven't done it before. You want to find a company with a knowledgeable and experienced team who will help you understand each step of the process and make sure that the transition goes smoothly. If you're not sure which coins or bars you'd like to hold in your account, you'll also want someone that can listen to your financial goals and offer recommendations to help you reach those goals.
Fees
Next, look at the fees each company charges their IRA holders. Every company will charge fees, so they aren't avoidable. However, if you do some research, you'll notice that the fees can vary depending on the company. Some companies are very upfront and share their fee structure on the website, while others make it more difficult to assess the various charges you will have to pay.
Experience and Reputation
Last, but not least, do not forget to learn more about the experience and reputation of each company you're thinking about working with. First, look for information about how many years they have been in business. To learn more about their reputation, you can check to see their ratings from the Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance. The top rating from the Better Business Bureau is A+, and the highest rating from the Business Consumer Alliance is AAA. Reading reviews from past customers on sites such as Google and Trustpilot can also offer a lot of insight into how the company actually operates.
Our Top Pick: Goldco
While we think all five of the companies we reviewed above are wonderful options when you're searching for the best Gold IRA company, there is one that we recommend most strongly. Goldco, in our opinion, surpasses what other companies are able to offer. Their team of experts is knowledgeable, experience, and ready to help you through all of your investment and IRA set-up needs.
Goldco offers a nice selection of gold and silver bars and coins for you to add to your IRA account. If you're not sure which pieces you'd like to invest in, one of their experts can offer support and guidance to help you decide.
With Goldco's free silver promotion, there really should be no question about whether they are the right company to work with. In addition to all the other benefits we've shared about the company, the fact that you can earn free silver on top of everything else is just incredible.
You don't have to take our work for it, either. Goldco has earned excellent reviews from past customers. They are also highly rated with the Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance and have been rewarded the highest rating possible from each company (A+ and AAA, respectively).
So, what do you think? Are you ready to set up a Gold IRA with Goldco and begin making the decisions that will secure your financial future?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Gold IRA?
A Gold IRA is a type of Self-Directed IRA. Self-Directed IRAs allow individuals to hold alternative assets in their retirement account, rather than the traditional stocks and bonds. With a Gold IRA, you can hold gold coins and bars, along with other precious metals, in a retirement account. Setting up a Gold IRA offers the same tax benefits that other IRA holders receive, plus you get the added advantage of diversifying your portfolio with an asset that is highly-coveted across the globe.
Can you rollover an existing retirement account into a Gold IRA?
Yes, many existing retirement accounts are eligible for a Gold IRA rollover. If you're not sure whether your specific account qualifies, you can talk to an IRA custodian company or a precious metals provider to find out more information.
How much can you invest in IRA each year?
Most individuals can contribute up to $6,000 to an IRA each year. Individuals who are 50 or older are allowed to contribute up to $7,000 per year. Keep in mind that these are the total contribution limits, so if you have more than one IRA, you will have to split that amount between your accounts.
Can I store gold for IRA at home?
The IRS has strict regulations in place regarding where precious metals for an IRA can be stored. In nearly all instances, individuals are prohibited from storing their metals at home or acting as the custodian for their own account. Rather, you are required to store your gold and other precious metals for an IRA in an IRS-approved depository.