Considering a Gold IRA?
Here's What You Need to Know First
Before you talk to any company, get the facts. This quick guide explains how Gold IRAs
actually work, what they cost, and whether one makes sense for your situation.
Who's Writing This?
I'm Rick Adams. I spent 4 years researching precious metals markets back to 1970, and I’m the Founder of GoldBuzz.com, a free newsletter read by thousands of gold and silver investors. I'm not a Gold IRA salesman - I'm a researcher who's done the homework so you don't have to.
✓ 4 years market research
✓ 10,000+ newsletter readers
✓ No sales pressure
What Is a Gold IRA, Really?
A Gold IRA is a retirement account that holds physical gold and silver instead of stocks and bonds. Not paper gold. Not ETFs. Actual metal in a vault with your name on it.
The tax treatment is the same as a regular IRA: your money grows tax-deferred, and you only pay taxes when you withdraw in retirement. The difference is what's inside - hard assets instead of paper promises.
Is a Gold IRA Right For You?
This isn’t for everyone. It makes sense if:
✓ You have $50,000+ in an existing IRA or old 401(k)
✓ You're in the United States
✓ You want to protect wealth, not chase aggressive growth
✓ You're looking to diversify beyond stocks and bonds
✓ You're comfortable with a buy-and-hold approach
Important: If you're still building savings or need easy liquidity, a Gold IRA probably isn't the right fit. This is for wealth preservation, not speculation.
How Does It Work?
The process is simpler than most people expect. Here's what happens:
1
Open a self-directed IRA
A specialized custodian sets up your account (this is handled for you)
2
Roll Over Your Existing Funds
Move money from your 401(k) or IRA — tax-free and penalty-free if done correctly
3
Choose Your Metals
Select from IRS-approved gold or silver, or a combination of both
4
Secure Storage
Your metals are stored in an insured, IRS-approved depository
The Company I Recommend
After researching the major Gold IRA providers, I recommend:
Here’s why:
- Up to 10 years of fees waived. Potentially $2,000+ in savings on qualifying accounts
- Education-first approach. They explain everything before you decide, no pressure
- A+ BBB rating. Zero complaints filed in 12+ years
- No-commission salespeople. So no one's pushing you to buy more
- $1 billion insurance. Delaware Depository, all-risk coverage
Prefer to talk it through? Call Augusta’s Gold IRA specialists:
Quick Answers
Can I hold both gold AND silver in the same IRA?
Yes. With a self-directed IRA, you can hold both gold and silver - as long as each meets IRS purity requirements. You decide the allocation.
What's the minimum investment?
Augusta requires a $50,000 minimum.
Can I roll over my 401(k) without penalties?
Yes - if done correctly as a direct rollover, it's tax-free and penalty-free. Augusta handles all the paperwork.
Is this only for people close to retirement?
No - anyone with qualifying retirement funds can open one. But the fees and illiquidity mean it makes most sense for people focused on wealth preservation who plan to hold, not trade.
What if I change my mind or need to sell?
Augusta offers a no-fee buyback program which you can use at any time.
