Reviews of the Top Gold IRA Companies in 2023
Are you interested in investing in a Gold IRA but need help finding the right company to meet your needs?
We have spent dozens of hours researching the top gold IRA companies. Our gold IRA company reviews take into account factors such as fees, price transparency, educational resources, customer support, and the ease of setting up an account and acquiring gold or other precious metals.
Read our top 5 selections and find the one that suits best suits your requirements.
If you’re retiring soon or already retired, there’s no better way to protect the value of your life savings in your golden years than by diversifying into precious metals like gold and silver. Historically, no other form of investment has withstood the test of time as much as gold.
The super-rich love gold precisely because it makes for a more stable investment, making it a great option for hedging against inflation, market volatility, and bank failures.
So, how do you go about investing in gold? The best way is to open a gold IRA (individual retirement account). This will allow you to diversify your portfolio and invest in gold on a tax-free or tax-deferred basis.
Here are our picks for the top gold IRA companies in five categories:
- BEST OVERALL Gold IRA Company: Goldco
- BEST FOR TRANSPARENT PRICING: Augusta Precious Metals
- BEST FOR SMALLER INVESTORS: Noble Gold
- BEST FOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Birch Gold Group
- BEST FOR IRA ROLLOVERS: Regal Assets
Best Gold IRA Company: Goldco
Pros
Over 16 years of experience with precious metals IRA rollovers.
Smooth process to set up a new precious metals IRA or rollover an existing IRA. A member of Goldco’s team is always available to help.
Cons
Does not offer precious metals other than gold and silver, such as platinum and palladium.
There are lots of excellent companies for gold and silver investment out there, but Goldco is the one that gets our highest recommendation. They are rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau and AAA by the Business Consumer Alliance. Their customer-centric focus has also earned them nearly perfect reviews on Consumer Affairs and Trustpilot.
You really can’t go wrong when you choose this reputable and well-established company to assist you with the purchase, storage, and sale of your gold and silver investments, as well as rolling over traditional IRAs, 401(k)’s, and eligible retirement funds to a gold IRA account.
Goldco specializes in silver and gold IRAs. These are also known as precious metals IRAs. Setting up a self-directed IRA with Goldco is an excellent way to diversify your portfolio and protect your future wealth.
A gold IRA safeguards your savings from the highly-volatile stock market and also hedges against creeping inflation. The value of precious metals IRAs tends to rise when the economy or stock market is not doing well, like the times we’re in now.
Another advantage is the quick access to cash for your gold and silver when you decide to sell your IRA at a later date, unlike other investments like real estate.
Goldco has one of the best buy-back programs in the industry. The company guarantees they will purchase your precious metals at the highest price should your circumstances change.
Opening a self-directed IRA with Goldco is simple. Just go to their website and take a few moments to fill out an application. After that, decide whether you will fund your IRA with pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) dollars.
If you wish to roll over an existing IRA or 401(k) into a precious metals IRA, an IRA specialist at Goldco will help you through the process.
A gold or silver IRA offers the same tax benefits as a traditional IRA. You’ll avoid immediate taxes and your retirement savings will continue to grow tax-free.
After you have moved the money to the new account, your account rep at Goldco will work with you to pick the precious metals to add to your IRA.
Goldco partners with mints around the world to source coins that are eligible for investment through a Gold IRA.
They offer both gold coins and bars that meet IRS requirements of being 99.5% pure. The gold bullion you can choose to add to your gold IRA with Goldco includes Gold American Eagle gold coins, Gold Maple Leaf coins, Gold Freedom and Hope coins, gold bars, and more.
Goldco also offers silver coins that are 99.99% pure to be held in an IRA. The silver coins and bars you can add to a precious metals IRA with Goldco include Silver American Eagle coins, Silver Maple Leaf coins, Silver Lucky Dragon coins, Silver bars, and more.
Although your gold IRA is self-directed, you will need to choose a custodian to store your assets with the help of your Goldco specialist.
To learn more about Goldco and how to set up a self-directed precious metals IRA, visit their website to request the free Self-Directed IRA guide. And if you choose to open a new precious metals IRA account with them, you can get up to $10,000 worth of silver for free.
Click here to learn more about Goldco.
BEST FOR TRANSPARENT PRICING: Augusta Precious Metals
Pros
The process of setting up an IRA is simple and a member of their team will walk you through it step-by-step.
Potentially possible to waive fees for up to 10 years.
Lots of educational content on their site including information on why not to own gold.
Cons
Must have minimum savings of $50,000.
Cannot see the full list of IRA-eligible gold and silver coins without contacting Augusta.
Augusta Precious Metals is another well-established company you’ll want to consider for your precious metals investment. Like Goldco, Augusta is also known for their superior customer service. It’s one of the reasons why Augusta Precious Metals has so many 5-star reviews on BBB, Trustlink, and Business Consumer Alliance. It’s one of the few top gold IRA companies with little to no negative complaints.
This family-owned business founded in 2012 specializes in helping its customers set up gold and silver IRAs to protect against stock market downturns.
Augusta’s live agents support you every step of the way to make opening a self-directed gold or silver IRA as smooth as possible. And their IRA experts will help you determine if your existing retirement account is eligible to be rolled over into a precious metals IRA.
To qualify for an Augusta Precious Metals IRA account, you must have a minimum of $50,000 to invest.
To help you diversify your investment, Augusta offers a wide range of products, including gold, silver, and platinum coins and bars, as well as rare and collectible coins. Some of these coins include Canadian Maple Leaf coins, American Eagle coins, and America the Beautiful coins.
For storage, Augusta works with some of the most reliable custodians like Equity Trust, Gold Star Trust Company, and Kingdom Trust who are experienced administrators for this type of investment.
Your purchase from Augusta Precious Metals comes with free shipping and insurance. Each item is packaged securely and discreetly to protect your purchase.
Augusta goes above and beyond to educate their clients rather than use high-pressure sales tactics. Even before you set up a new account, Augusta’s customer support will set you up with a free 1-on-1 web conference with their Harvard-trained economist.
This session is designed to teach new investors everything they need to know about the risk and rewards of gold IRA accounts, and what to watch out for when considering these gold investments themselves. They want to make sure that first-year buyers truly understand what they’re getting into.
Augusta prides itself on its transparency when it comes to pricing, and all of its gold prices which are based on the current spot price of the precious metal in question.
Augusta also offers a price match guarantee, so you can be sure that you’re getting low costs and the best price possible.
Click here to learn more about Augusta Precious Metals.
BEST FOR SMALLER GOLD IRA INVESTORS: Noble Gold
Pros
Minimum investment of $2,000.
Storage option in a company-owned depository in Texas.
Also allows investment in digital currencies.
Cons
Doesn’t offer international gold storage.
When it comes gold investing and to your retirement goals, some investors prefer to purchase mutual funds, while others invest in ETFs or other alternative investments. However, for smaller investors, Noble Gold may be the best option.
While Noble Gold was founded in 2016, Collin Plume, the founder of Noble Gold has been in the precious metals IRA industry for more than 20 years.
Noble Gold is another reputable gold IRA company that helps small investors purchase and store gold. They offer a wide range of services, including storage, insurance, and even shipping.
Noble Gold goes above and beyond to earn your trust. According to some consumer ratings, the company is willing to manually take photo proof of your precious metals in the depository for free.
Keeping your new gold coins or silver coins at home is also an option with Noble Gold. This will allow you to keep your gold and silver products very close to you and continue to hold onto it as an investment.
Unlike other gold IRA companies, Noble Gold only requires a minimum investment of $2,000 in cash or $5,000 if you roll over assets into the IRA, which makes them a great choice for smaller investors. So if you’re looking to invest in gold but don’t want to spend a fortune, Noble Gold may be the right choice for you.
Click here to learn more about Noble Gold.
BEST For Customer Support: Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold Group has a long track record of 20 years in the precious metals IRA industry. Since its creation in 2003, Birch Gold Group has been the company of choice for over 14,000 gold IRA investors.
Consumer rating agencies like the Better Business Bureau give Birch Gold Group an A+ rating. More than 600 positive reviews have been written across Trustpilot, Trustlink, and Consumer Affairs.
Amazing 1-on-1 Customer Service
From the first call you make, Birch Gold Group matches you with a precious metals specialist, who will take care of your gold IRA account throughout the whole time you’re with Birch.
Having just one person dedicated to your account allows for a better understanding of your financial needs and goals. This makes it easier for you to receive useful advice that will help you reach your retirement goals.
Depending on your account information, your specialist will be able to provide you with all the pros and cons of all available options in order for you to make a better informed decision.
When you decide to open a new gold IRA account, your specialist will ensure that every step of the way is done without hassle or mistakes.
If you transfer over $50,000 to your new precious metals IRA account, Birch Gold Group will cover all first-year fees for you.
BEST FOR IRA ROLLOVERS: Regal Assets
If you’re looking for a great option for rolling over your IRA, Regal Assets is a great choice. They offer a wide range of options for investing your retirement savings, and they’re a highly reputable company with a great track record.
It was founded by Tyler Gallagher and is a highly-trusted name in the precious metals investment business. They are a member of the Forbes Finance Council and offer helpful financial advice to help their clients reach their investment goals faster.
This precious metal IRA company offers a wide range of selection of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars that are approved by the IRS for holding in a precious metal IRA account.
In addition to helping clients set up a new precious metals IRA, the company can also help you roll over a traditional retirement account into a precious metals IRA. If you don’t know if your retirement account is eligible for a rollover, simply contact a member of their team, and they will find the answer for you.
Invest in Cryptocurrency
Although the company deals primarily in precious metals they also offer the opportunity to invest in cryptocurrencies.
This is just another option at your disposal to diversify your portfolio and better protect your assets against the ups and downs of the stock market or a weakened US dollar.
Overall, Regal Assets is a great choice for anyone looking for a great option for rolling over their IRA. Their fees are very competitive, and they offer excellent customer support.
Bottom Line
Gold IRAs are a bit more complex to navigate than your traditional IRA. But finding a company that works well for you and your financial goals can go a long way in protecting your life savings.
Goldco tops our list of gold IRA companies because it earns high marks for customer satisfaction. It has a solid history of helping new clients access gold for their IRAs and makes sure the whole process is done with ease.
Consideration in Choosing
Before choosing a gold investment company, read through our list of considerations below. Taking some time to select the right company to meet your needs will help ensure that you’re satisfied with the process and receive the services you’re looking for.
Reputation and Experience
As with any other investments or large purchases, you want to do your research and select a reputable and trustworthy company. Choose a company that has multiple years of experience and high customer reviews. Looking for companies with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau or ones that are accredited with Consumer Affairs may provide additional peace of mind.
Investment Options
Next, you’ll want to consider the various investment options offered by each company. First, determine whether they only offer Precious Metals IRAs, or if they provide the option to purchase gold, silver, or other precious metals for personal investments as well.
Then, look at the selection of precious metals they offer. Can you invest in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, or will you be limited to just gold and silver? How many coins and bars are available for IRAs, and how many are available for personal investments?
Some gold investment companies also allow individuals to invest in cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin. If this is something you think you’d be interested in, be sure to look for a company that offers this option.
Fees
You may need to check the fine print, but you’ll also want to assess the fees you’ll need to pay. Will you need to pay for shipping or insurance for your precious metals?
Are there yearly fees associated with IRAs? Will you be charged for anything else? Answering these questions may help you better compare two companies that you’re torn between.
Customer Service and Support
Setting up a Gold IRA can be challenging. You may also be charged various fees if you don’t transfer funds from an existing retirement plan to a new one. Finding a company that offers top-notch customer service is a must.
You want someone helpful who will walk you through each step in the process of either setting up a new IRA or rolling over an existing retirement account. Additionally, finding an investment company that will provide you with advice and guidance if you aren’t sure exactly what you want to invest in can also be helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Gold IRA?
A gold IRA, or a precious metals IRA, is a type of individual retirement account in which physical gold or other approved precious metals are held in custody for the benefit of the account owner. The physical precious metals themselves are held in an IRS-approved storage facility, and the account is administered by a custodian.
Gold IRAs offer investors similar tax benefits as traditional IRAs. The key difference is a gold IRA allows you to add physical gold and other precious metals to your retirement portfolios. These metals are often considered to be a stable and long-term investment and can be used to provide a hedge against inflation and other economic uncertainties.
Custodians help you manage the paperwork and tax reporting for your gold transactions to meet the IRS requirements for retirement planning.
How Much Does a Gold IRA Cost?
The cost of a gold IRA will vary depending on several factors, including the type and amount of precious metals you choose to invest in, the fees charged by your custodian and dealer, and any other costs associated with setting up and maintaining the account.
Some of the potential costs to consider when evaluating a gold IRA include the following:
Account setup fees: Many custodians and dealers charge a fee to open a new gold IRA account. These fees may be a one-time charge, or they may be assessed on a recurring basis. This initial cost can range from $0 to $1,500 depending on the provider.
Annual custodial fees: In addition to the account setup fee, many custodians also charge an annual fee to cover the cost of storing and protecting the precious metals in your IRA. These fees can range from a few hundred dollars per year to several thousand dollars, depending on the value of your IRA and the type of metals you hold.
Investment fees: Some precious metals dealers may charge a fee to purchase the metals on behalf of your IRA. These fees can vary depending on the type and quantity of metals you buy, and they may be assessed as a percentage of the purchase price. These commissions typically range from 2% to 4%, so it’s important to compare rates before making any transactions.
Overall, the total cost of setting up and maintaining a Gold IRA can range from around 1% to 3% of the total value of your account, depending on the provider and investment choices.
What is the minimum investment for a gold IRA?
The minimum investment for a gold IRA will vary depending on the custodian and dealer you choose. Some custodians and dealers may have a minimum initial investment requirement, while others may allow you to open an account with a smaller initial deposit. In general, however, you can expect the minimum investment for a gold IRA to be at least a few thousand dollars.
It is important to note that the minimum investment for a gold IRA is not the same as the minimum annual contribution required by the IRS. The minimum annual contribution for a traditional or Roth IRA is $3,000 for the tax year 2021, or $3,500 if you are age 50 or older.
However, this is the minimum amount you must contribute to the account each year to qualify for certain tax benefits. It is separate from the minimum investment required to open the account in the first place.
Where are the precious metals inside your gold IRA stored?
The precious metals in your gold IRA must be stored in an IRS-approved depository or storage facility. The exact location of the metals will depend on the custodian and dealer you choose for your IRA.
In general, the metals are stored in a secure, segregated area within the depository or storage facility. This means that your metals are physically separated from the metals belonging to other account holders, and they are protected by security measures such as surveillance cameras, alarms, and on-site guards.
Some custodians and dealers may offer additional storage options, such as off-site storage or storage at a location outside of the United States. However, these options may not be available to all custodians, and they may come at an additional cost.
How does a 401(k) to gold IRA rollover work?
A 401k to gold IRA rollover is a process in which funds from a 401k retirement account are used to purchase gold for a new individual retirement account (IRA). The process typically involves transferring the funds from your 401k account to a gold IRA provider, who will then use the funds to purchase gold on your behalf.
How Do You Make a Withdrawal from a Precious Metals IRA?
To make a withdrawal from a precious metals IRA, you will need to follow the steps outlined in your gold IRA agreement. Typically, this will involve contacting your IRA custodian and requesting a distribution. The custodian will then sell a portion of your precious metals holdings and distribute the proceeds to you in the form of cash or a check. In some cases, you may be able to take physical possession of the precious metals that are withdrawn from your account. However, this is not always possible, and you should check with your custodian to see what options are available.
How Much of Your IRA Should Include Precious Metals?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the number of precious metals you should include in your IRA will depend on a variety of factors, such as your overall investment goals, risk tolerance, and financial situation. As with any investment, it’s important to diversify your portfolio to reduce risk and maximize potential returns. This means that you should consider including a mix of different types of assets in your IRA, including stocks, bonds, and precious metals.
What Precious Metals Can You Invest in for Retirement?
You can invest in a variety of precious metals for retirement, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Gold is the most commonly held precious metal in IRAs, as it is a highly liquid and stable asset that has traditionally been used as a store of value. Silver, platinum, and palladium are also popular choices for precious metals IRAs, and they may offer the potential for greater price appreciation than gold. When investing in precious metals for retirement, it’s important to choose a reputable and experienced IRA provider who can help you select the right precious metals investing amount for your needs.
What Are the Benefits of a Gold IRA?
A Gold IRA offers many potential benefits, including diversification, inflation protection, portfolio protection in times of market volatility, and more. By investing in gold or other precious metals, you can add a valuable asset class to your retirement portfolio that helps protect it from the ups and downs of the stock market.
In addition, gold is a tangible asset, so investors have the potential to store their wealth in physical form as well as on paper. Gold has been used as a currency since ancient times and still holds value today, which makes it an attractive option for retirement funds.
Finally, many Gold IRA providers offer additional benefits such as secure storage services, tax-advantaged accounts, and more.
Is a Gold IRA the Best Way to Invest in Gold?
There are many ways to invest in gold, and a gold IRA is one of them. But is it the best way? It depends on several factors.
Investors can buy gold bullion and coins outside of an IRA. There are no IRS restrictions on what they can own or gold storage. Gold can be stored at home, avoiding storage fees. There are also no custodial fees. Investors who hold their gold for more than a year are subject to favorable capital gains tax rates instead of ordinary income tax rates, which is what you pay when you sell gold and withdraw the funds from an IRA.
Physical gold doesn’t generate income, which is important to people in retirement. To generate income, the gold has to be liquidated so funds can be withdrawn. Retirees reaching age 72 need to have sufficient liquidity in their retirement account to take their required minimum distributions (RMD), which could force them to sell some of their gold holdings.
This could be problematic for retirees who are heavily invested in gold. This is less of a problem if a gold IRA was just a part of their overall retirement portfolio as part of a diversification strategy, where gold provides an inflation hedge. Investors can have more than one IRA. If their IRAs hold paper assets, they have additional sources of current income and RMD withdrawals.
Younger investors with less money to invest in gold may be better off with a traditional IRA, investing in gold equivalents, such as gold ETFs or gold mining stocks, until they accumulate enough to meet the higher minimum requirements of gold IRAs.
The best way to take advantage of a gold IRA is to use it as an accumulation vehicle as part of a broader, more diversified investment strategy, which can also be accomplished without a gold IRA.
Why Gold is Money and a Great Store of Value
Unlike fiat money, gold is a limited resource, durable, and has actual use. Precious metals like gold, silver, and palladium are used in almost every electronic device you can think of. For example, computer chips are used in military equipment, mobile phones, satellites, and much more. As technology further advances, the need for limited resources like precious metals will keep on increasing.