If you’re looking into how to invest in Gold IRA, you open a self-directed account with a custodian and fund it with a transfer, rollover or new contribution. Then you can buy IRS-approved metals and an approved depository stores them for you until you take withdrawals in retirement.
Below, we cover more of the details to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your savings goals.
What is a Gold IRA?
A Gold IRA is an individual retirement account that holds physical gold bullion and other precious metals. A regular IRA at a brokerage only holds paper assets like stocks and bonds, while a Gold IRA lets you own tangible metal with retirement money.
A Gold IRA is a type of self-directed IRA. You open one with a specialized custodian, since regular brokers don’t offer these accounts. A gold ETF is different because it holds shares in a fund that tracks the price of gold, so you don’t own the metal itself.
On our podcast, we covered what changes when you buy gold with retirement money instead of personal savings:
How do you set up a Gold IRA?
You set up a Gold IRA in three steps:
- Choose a custodian: This is the account administrator. They buy and sell on your behalf, arrange for storage of your metals, and handle account management and IRS reporting.
- Fund the account: You can roll over from existing retirement accounts or contribute with new funds.
- Buy IRS-approved metals: Work with your gold dealer to choose approved metals and direct the custodian to buy them on your behalf.
To open the account, you’ll need a photo ID, your Social Security number, and a recent statement from any account you’re moving.
How do you fund a Gold IRA (rollover a 401k, TSP, 403b, or IRA)?
You fund a Gold IRA by:
- Rolling over an employer plan like a 401k, TSP, or 403b
- Transferring an existing IRA
- Contributing new money, up to the 2026 IRA limit of $7,500, or $8,600 if you’re 50 or older
You can avoid taxes or penalties with a direct rollover to move the funds from your previous custodian to your Gold IRA custodian. If the plan sends the check to you, 20% is held back for taxes, and the IRS gives you 60 days to put the whole balance into the new account.
A transfer between IRAs usually takes about a week. A rollover from an employer plan can take longer, since it depends on your old plan administrator.
Which metals are IRA-approved?
IRA-approved metals are gold, silver, platinum, and palladium that meet IRS purity standards and are sourced from a government mint or an approved refiner. The purity rules are:
- Gold: 99.5% pure, except American Gold Eagles, which are 91.67% gold and still allowed in an IRA
- Silver: 99.9%
- Platinum and palladium: 99.95%
The IRS only allows bullion coins and bars, so you can’t buy collectible or numismatic coins.
What do Gold IRA investors buy?
Gold IRA buyers chose silver 74.4% of the time from January through July 2026, based on our mid-year 2026 sales data.
Gold IRA orders also include larger sizes than regular orders. 78.9% of Gold IRA orders were 1 oz or larger, compared with 21.8% of non-retirement orders.
| Detail | Gold IRA orders | Non-retirement orders |
| 1 oz or larger | 78.9% | 21.8% |
| 5 to 10 oz | 50.4% | 4.5% |
| Most common gold size | 1 to 2 oz (40.6%) | |
| Most common silver size | 5 to 10 oz (64.6%) |
How is IRA gold stored?
The IRS requires the metals in your Gold IRA to be stored in an approved depository. Your custodian arranges storage with two options:
- Segregated: your metals are stored separately from other investors.
- Commingled: your gold and silver are pooled with other investors’ metals.
Here’s a quick overview of precious metal storage options:
| Detail | Segregated storage | Commingled storage |
| Definition | Your gold is stored separately | Your gold is stored with others’ assets |
| Security | Highest level of individual security | High overall security |
| Cost | Higher cost ($225+/year) | More cost-effective ($125+/year) |
| Asset identification | Your metals easily identifiable | Part of a larger pool |
Types of Gold IRAs
The three account types are different mainly in terms of when you’re taxed.
| Detail | Traditional Gold IRA | Roth Gold IRA | SEP Gold IRA |
| Tax treatment | Pre-tax contributions, taxed withdrawals | After-tax contributions, tax-free growth | Pre-tax contributions, taxed withdrawals |
| Required minimum distribution | RMDs at age 73 | No RMDs | RMDs at age 73 |
| Best for | Lower tax bracket in retirement | Higher tax bracket in retirement | Self-employed or small business owners |
Pros and cons of a Gold IRA
Gold moves independently of the stock market and isn’t tied to any one currency, so it can balance a portfolio that’s heavy in paper assets. Here are the main pros and cons of a Gold IRA:
Pros
- Diversification from stocks and paper assets
- Inflation protection
- Tax advantages
- No counterparty risk
Cons
- Gold prices can be volatile at times, and just like other investments, there’s no guarantee that it will always go up.
- Gold protects wealth over the long term but doesn’t produce dividends or interest.
- Gold or silver IRA fees include a setup fee ($50 to $300), an annual maintenance fee ($75 to $300), storage fees, and sometimes transaction fees.
How much should you put in a Gold IRA?
A State Street survey of 400 North American financial advisors, released in 2024, found that 56% kept 1% to 4.9% of client assets in gold and 13% kept 5% or more. The World Gold Council doesn’t recommend a set percentage, but its research found that portfolios holding 2.5% to 10% in gold had better risk-adjusted returns from 2005 to 2025.
The right number depends on your other retirement holdings, your time horizon, and how much volatility you’re comfortable with. A financial advisor can help you decide on a specific percentage for your situation.
Final thoughts on investing in a Gold IRA
To learn more about adding physical gold and other precious metals to your IRA, connect with the Swiss America team today.
Invest in Gold IRA: FAQs
How does a Gold IRA work?
It has the contribution and withdrawal rules of any other IRA, but it holds physical metal at an approved depository instead of stocks or funds. Once you reach age 59½, you can withdraw without penalty. Your custodian can sell the metals and send you the proceeds or ship the metals to you.
Can you hold gold in a Roth, SEP or SIMPLE IRA?
Yes, if the account is self-directed. With a Roth Gold IRA, you pay taxes before you invest, so qualified withdrawals are tax-free. With a traditional, SEP or SIMPLE Gold IRA, you invest with pre-tax dollars and pay taxes when you withdraw in retirement.
Can a Gold IRA hold silver too?
Yes. A Gold IRA can hold IRS-approved silver, platinum, and palladium as well as gold. That’s why you may also hear it called a silver IRA or precious metals IRA.
How much do you need to start a Gold IRA?
The IRS sets no minimum, but custodians and dealers set their own. Swiss America’s minimum to open a gold or silver IRA is $5,000.
Can you open a Gold IRA without paying taxes or penalties?
Yes. A direct rollover or an IRA-to-IRA transfer moves your savings between custodians without taxes or penalties.
The information in this post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax or legal advice. Please consult with your own tax professionals before making any decisions or taking action based on this information.
