Are you growing uneasy checking on the stock market every day? Does it make you concerned knowing that all of your money is invested in the stock market and make you fear for what could happen to your retirement portfolio? If so, now may be the right time to start thinking about diversifying your investments by adding precious metals to your portfolio.
Many people aren't aware that you can actually hold gold, silver, and other precious metals in a retirement account. Known as a Gold IRA, or Precious IRA, these special types of Self-Directed IRAs make it possible to diversify your portfolio and benefit from the tax breaks IRA holders receive.
A number of financial experts agree that a Gold IRA can help protect your portfolio from stock market volatility and help make sure you're prepared to retire. However, with the number of precious metals providers that offer IRA services, it can be tricky to choose which one you'd like to work with.
Today, we're going to look at five of the best Gold IRA companies out there: Goldco, Augusta Precious Metals, American Hartford Gold, Birch Gold Group, and Noble Gold. Continue reading to learn a brief history of each of these companies, information about the services they offer, and other details that will help you decide which one is the right choice to help you set up a Gold IRA.
Best 5: Gold IRA Company Reviews
#1. Goldco
The first company we're going to discuss today is also our top pick. The other companies shared below are trustworthy and support their customers well, but Goldco is the clear winner when you're looking for the best Gold IRA company. In the next few sections, we'll help you understand why Goldco is the best of the best when you're looking to purchase precious metals or open a Gold IRA.
About Goldco
In 2006, Trevor Gerszt founded Goldco to help individuals harness the power of precious metals to help them prepare for a financially-secure future. Setting up Gold IRAs for their customers is one of the main services offered by Goldco, and you can feel confident working with a company so experienced in this regard.
When you work with Goldco, you can also decide to purchase gold or silver coins as a personal investment, in addition to adding them to your retirement account.
Goldco's customers have a lot of positive things to say about their experiences. They overwhelmingly recommend Goldco to others. If you check review websites, like Google and Trustpilot, you can get a feel for what you can expect your experience as a Goldco customer to be like.
Beyond the high praise Goldco has received from their current and past customers, the company has also earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and an AAA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance. These are the highest ratings possible from either of these organizations and they demonstrate the Goldco operates with integrity and offers excellent treatment to their customers.
Setting up a Gold IRA
As we mentioned early, one of the areas that Goldco specializes in is helping their customers set up Gold IRAs. Also called a Precious Metals IRA, a Gold IRA allows you to hold gold or silver in your retirement account.
With their experience in this area, Goldco has learned how to keep the IRA set-up process as simple and streamlined as possible. Your precious metals advisors will work with you to open up the account. They'll also help connect you with an IRA custodian to initiate the transfer of funds from an eligible existing retirement account to your new Gold IRA.
Following the arrival of the funds for your account, it will be time to select the precious metals you'd like to add to your IRA. A member of Goldco's team will be available to offer suggestion and guidance as needed if you're looking for recommendations regarding which coins or bars will best help you to reach your financial goals.
Adding Gold and Silver Coins and Bars to Your IRA
Goldco offers a large selection of gold and silver coins that satisfy the minimum purity levels required by the IRS. According to the IRS, IRA-approved gold coins and bars must have a minimum purity level of 99.5%, and IRA-approved silver coins and bars must be at least 99.9% pure.
Below are some of the different coins and bars offered by Goldco that meet these purity requirements.
Gold
Silver
Special Promotion for Gold IRA Customers
Did you know that you can earn free silver just by becoming a Goldco customer? Gold IRA customers can earn as much as 10% back in free silver by choosing Goldco as their precious metals provider. Getting an additional 10% in silver can serve as an extra boost for your portfolio by increasing the ratio of precious metals to stocks.
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#2. Augusta Precious Metals
While Goldco is our top pick, there are other excellent Gold IRA companies. One of the best companies you could choose to work with is Augusta Precious Metals. Keep reading to learn more about Augusta Precious Metals to determine if they're the right fit for your needs.
About Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta Precious Metals is a trusted name in the Gold IRA industry. Since 2012, the company has been helping their customers diversify their portfolios by investing in gold and silver.
Augusta Precious Metals' website outlines the company's top three priorities. These include transparency, simplicity, and service. They want to help customers feel supported, streamline the process of opening an IRA, and offer helpful advice and information so that each of their customers can achieve their goals for a comfortable financial future.
Augusta Precious Metals has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and an AAA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance. They also have many loyal customers who have provided them with very high ratings on websites like Google, TrustLink, and Facebook.
Setting up a Gold IRA with Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta Precious Metals specializes in setting up Gold and Silver IRAs for their customers. The team at Augusta Precious Metals is knowledgeable and ready to give you the personal attention you need to get your account set up properly. As shared above, they have streamlined the IRA set-up process as much as possible and will work alongside you to help everything go as smoothly as possible.
One way they work to keep the process simply is by assisting you in completing the paperwork correctly. Someone will be available to answer any questions you may have. Your representative from Augusta Precious Metals will also work with an IRA custodian to initiate the transfer of funds from your existing retirement account to get the Gold IRA rollover process started.
IRA-Approved Precious Metals
Augusta Precious Metals offers a few different gold and silver coins and bars that meet the minimum purity requirements set by the IRS. Here are some of the different options available for you to choose from
Gold
Silver
IRA Storage
While other precious metal companies may only provide you with one or two options for storing your precious metals, Augusta Precious Metals has several to offer. IRS regulations require individuals to store their precious metals in an approved depository.
When you work with Augusta Precious Metals, you can choose from various storage facility locations across the United States in Wilmington, Delaware, New Caste, Delaware, New York City, New York, Los Angeles, California, Salt Lake City, Utah, Shiner, Texas, Dallas Texas, Nampa, Idaho Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and South Fargo, North Dakota.
All of these depository locations feature top-notch security protocols and full insurance policies to protect your investments and keep them secure until you're ready to retire.
Investor Resources
New investors and those who have been investing in precious metals for years will find that Augusta Precious Metals offers some useful resources on the website. Under the Resources and Tools section of the website, you can find information about the current market, frequently asked questions about investing in precious metals, various videos to help you on your investment journey, and an inflation and retirement calculator to help you determine your purchasing power based on your current retirement savings and inflation.
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#3. American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold also offers Gold IRA services to their customers. Let's take a look at more information about American Hartford Gold in the next few sections to help you decide whether you'd like to work with them to set up a Gold IRA.
About American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold is the relative newcomer to the precious metals investment business on this list. Founded in 2015, they still have a lot of experience with helping customers set up Gold IRAs to help them save for retirement.
When you visit the website for American Hartford Gold, you can learn more about the company's commitment to working with each of their clients. They believe in ensuring their clients access to a representative when they have any questions that need to be addressed and being transparent with their customers regarding the process of setting up an IRA.
The company also places a high value on keeping their clients informed about the latest market happenings and offering advice to help them keep their portfolio balanced and high-performing.
With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and an AA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance, American Hartford Gold is a trusted name in the precious metals investment industry. They have also earned high reviews from customers across numerous review sites. A number of celebrities and media personnel, including Bill O'Reilly, Rudy Giuliani, Lou Dobbs, Megyn Kelly, and Rick Harrison, have also offered endorsements for American Hartford Gold.
Gold IRAs
American Hartford Gold wants the process of setting up an IRA to be as simple as possible for their customers. They don't want to discourage customers from taking advantage of all of the potential benefits associated with IRAs because they feel overwhelmed by the process. For this reason, they have broken the IRA set-up process down in to three simple steps.
These steps include:
IRA-Approved Precious Metals
Below are some of the IRA-approved gold and silver coins and bars offered by American Hartford Gold. All of these options satisfy the minimum purity requirements of 99.5% for gold and 99.9% for silver outlined by the IRS.
Gold
Silver
Storage for Gold IRAs
When you set up a Gold IRA with American Hartford Gold, you can choose to have the precious metals for your IRA stored in the Delaware Depository or with Brink's Global Services. The IRS has approved both of these storage facilities to hold retirement funds. Both are also known for their impressive security measures and protocols, which will help secure your precious metals until you retire and are ready to take disbursements. Additionally, as an added layer of peace of mind, a full insurance policy will protect your investment with both of these depositories.
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#4. Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold Group is another top contender when you're looking for the best Gold IRA company. Continue reading to learn more about what Birch Gold Group has to offer.
About Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold Group was founded in 2003, making them the most experienced company on this list. They work hard to help their customers plan and prepare for retirement by investing in precious metals. The company wants each investor to feel valued and informed so they can make the right choices for their portfolio.
Some of the values laid out on the company's website can help you learn more about Birch Gold Group, their beliefs, and practices. These values include:
Birch Gold Group's past customers overwhelmingly feel that the company put them first and offered expert advice. When you check reviews on websites, such as Google and Trustpilot. The Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance have also awarded Birch Gold Group their highest ratings (A+ and AAA, respectively).
Setting up a Precious Metals IRA
If you choose to work with Birch Gold Group to set up a precious metals IRA, the team will work to keep the process straightforward and to minimize the work on your end. They want to make sure that every investor is able to take advantage of the benefits of investing in gold and want to make sure that no one is turned off by feeling overwhelmed at the transfer process.
Start the process of setting up your IRA by contacting a representative from the company. You can call the phone number listed on the website, or send a message from the Contact Us page.
When you connect with a representative, they can help you determine if your existing retirement account is eligible for an IRA rollover. They'll then work with you and an IRA custodian company to initiate the transfer of fund from your existing account to your new Gold IRA.
Approved Coins and Bars for IRAs
One of the benefits of working with Birch Gold Group is that they can help you further diversify your portfolio. Many other precious metals companies only offer gold and silver coins and bars for their customers to choose from. When you work with Birch Gold Group, however, you can also choose to add platinum or palladium coins and bars to your account.
Minimum purity requirements are also in place for platinum and palladium bullion in order for it to be held in an IRA. Platinum coins and bars are required to have a minimum purity level of 99.95%, according to the IRS.
Here are some of the different gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars offered by Birch Gold Group that satisfy the minimum purity requirements outlined by the IRS.
Gold
Silver
Platinum
Palladium
Secure Storage for Precious Metals IRAs
If you choose to set up a precious metals IRA with Birch Gold Group, you'll be able to choose from four different IRS-approved depositories to store your meals. These include The Delaware Depository, Brink's Global Services, the Texas Precious Metals Depository, and International Depository Services.
All four of these companies are respected and known for their ability to protect their clients' investments. You can rest easy knowing that the latest and greatest security measures are being employed to protect your precious metals. Full insurance policies also keep your investment protected in the event of loss, theft, or damage.
Free Precious Metals Promotion
If you love a good deal, you may be excited to hear about Birch Gold Group's current promotion for their customers. Every qualifying purchase will receive a bonus of free precious metals. A representative from the company can tell you more about how much you can earn in free precious metals.
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#5. Noble Gold
Rounding out our list of the best Gold IRA companies is Noble Gold. In the next few sections, we'll explore more about Noble Gold to help you decide if they're the best fit for your financial aspirations.
About Noble Gold
Founded in 2016 by Charles Thorngren and Collin Plum, Noble Gold has grown to become another of the most-trusted names in the industry. They offer a team of precious metals advisors who are experienced and ready to help offer the expert support and guidance necessary to help you make the right investments.
Between the company's A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, AAA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance, and multiple positive reviews from past customers, you should feel confident that Noble Gold will work with your best interests in mind. Unlike many other companies out there, they don't believe in giving their customers a hard sale; rather, they want to work with you to determine your specific needs.
Precious Metals IRAs
One of the main services Noble Gold offers is helping their customer set up Gold IRAs/Precious Metals IRAs. The team will work with you to determine if your existing retirement account is eligible for a rollover. They'll then help you with each step of the rollover process to ensure a smooth transfer of funds to your new Gold IRA.
Once your IRA is set up and funded, you can work with your representative to select the specific coins and bars you'd like to hold in your account. After selecting the precious metals you'd like to invest in, your representative will take care of making everything gets securely packed up and transported to an IRS-approved depository.
IRA-Approved Precious Metals Available Through Noble Gold
Noble Gold clients can invest in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars. As we shared earlier, there are regulations put in place by the IRS regarding the purity levels for precious metals, but Noble Gold is still able to offer a nice selection for their customers to choose from.
Here are the IRA-approved coins and bars available through Noble Gold:
Gold
Silver
Platinum
Palladium
Learn More with Noble Gold's Free Gold Guide
Interested in learning more to decide if you'd like to work with Noble Gold? Visit the company's website and request a copy of their free Gold IRA guide. Once you enter your information, you can download the guide and start reading more right away.
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Choosing the Best Gold IRA Company: Important Considerations
The task of choosing the best Gold IRA company to work with is not one to be taken lightly. The company you choose will be responsible for taking care of your hard-earned money and helping you choose the best precious metals to help you grow your wealth and prepare for retirement.
Below, we've put together a few important considerations that should help you narrow down the list of Gold IRA companies and choose the one that feels like the best fit for your needs and goals.
Customer Service
When you're thinking about investing thousands of dollars in precious metals, you want to feel confident that the level of service you receive matches this huge investment. The company you work with should make their customers feel like they are valued and important. You need to know that when you call and have a question that someone will be available to help you find the answers you're looking for and offer the advice you need.
Experience and Reputation
Again, when you're talking about such a large investment of your hard-earned money, it is essential to choose a company that has demonstrated time and time again that they are trustworthy. Now is not the time to go with a no-name company that may or may not deliver on the promises they make.
Rather, take time to research the different companies you're considering working with. Look at how many years of experience they have and how highly rated they are by past customers. Review organizations, such as the Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance, can also offer insight into what you can expect of your interactions with the company.
Fees
Fees are unavoidable when setting up a Gold IRA. You can expect to be charged account set up fees, wire transfer fees, and storage fees. However, this does not mean that every company has the same fees. Some will charge higher fees than others for the same services.
Taking a few minutes to compare the fees between the different companies on your list can help you determine whether one company is out of line with the others. Transparency with displaying fees on their website can also tell you something about how the company conducts business.
Precious Metals Selection
Finally, don't forget to also compare the precious metals selection available through the different Gold IRA companies you're looking at. Some offer a much more extensive selection of precious metals than others. If you're looking to hold a wider variety of coins or bars, you may want to consider a company with more options for investors.
Likewise, if there are any specific coins or bars that you'd like to hold in your account, you'll want to look for a company that offers these precious metals.
One final consideration is whether you'd also like to invest in platinum or palladium. While just about any precious metals company you find will offer gold and silver coins and bars, only a few also allow investors to add platinum and palladium to their retirement account. If you'd like to further diversify your portfolio with other precious metals, then you may want to seek out a company that offers platinum and palladium coins and bars.
Goldco: Our Top Pick
The five Gold IRA companies shared above all come with an excellent reputation in the industry along with top-notch customer service. However, there is one company that stands out to us as the clear best choice: Goldco.
With over 15 years of experience in the precious metals investment industry and a team of knowledgeable and experienced professionals, you can feel confident that you're getting the best service along with top-quality precious metals.
Goldco is highly rated by customers and review organizations alike, as shared above. They will help you through the process of opening up a new Gold IRA and will offer advice as needed about which precious metals you should add to your account.
The promotion Goldco is currently running for their Gold IRA customers is another thing that makes them stand out against all the other companies. Earning 10% back in free silver is huge; it can really help you up the percentage of precious metals held in your portfolio and give you some extra cushioning as you prepare for retirement.
So, what do you think? Are you ready to begin your investment journey with Goldco today? Visit their website to get your new Gold IRA started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you allowed to hold precious metals in an IRA?
Yes, you can hold precious metals in an IRA. Gold IRAs are a type of a Self-Directed IRA that allow individuals to hold alternative assets, such as precious metals, in their retirement account.
Choosing to add precious metals to an IRA can help you diversify your portfolio and provide more stability when the stock market dips or even crashes.
How do you rollover an existing retirement account to a Gold IRA?
To rollover an existing retirement account to a Gold IRA, you'll need to work with a Gold IRA company. The company you work with can help confirm that your account is eligible for a rollover. You'll also need to work with an IRA custodian company to initiate the transfer of funds from the existing account to your new Gold IRA. Once the funds have been transferred, you can purchase the precious metals you'd like to hold in your new account.
Are precious metals a good investment?
No investment guarantees 100% success. However, many individuals and financial experts do see precious metals as a good investment. Precious metals tend to hold their value well and remain a highly-coveted asset around the globe. When some of your money is invested in precious metals, it also helps to diversify your portfolio and make you less dependent on the volatile stock market.
How much gold should I hold in my portfolio?
The right percentage of gold to hold in your portfolio will vary based on a number of factors. Consider your age and how close you are to retirement. As you're nearing retirement, it is generally recommended to take fewer risks, and as such you may not want to dedicate a large percentage of your portfolio to precious metals. If you're not close to retirement age, you have more room to take a few more risks and may feel comfortable holding more gold in your portfolio.
How much can I invest in my Gold IRA each year?
Individuals under the age of 50 can contribute up to $6,000 to their IRA each year. Those 50 or older can contribute a maximum of $7,000. Keep in mind that these are the total amount that can be contributed to any IRA. So, if you have multiple IRAs, you'll need to keep the total under $6,000 (or $7,000 for those over 50).
Can I store the gold from my IRA at home?
No, you are not allowed to hold the precious metals from your IRA in your home. With very few exceptions, the IRS prohibits individuals from being the custodian for their own precious metals. You will need to have your precious metals for an IRA held in an IRS-approved depository.
