Seven things that should stop a conversation
- “You need to act today.” Pressure and urgency are reasons to pause. Request documentation and compare offers on your schedule.
- “It's completely safe.” Gold prices move. An IRA holding physical metal may also lose money through premiums, fees, and resale discounts.
- “We'll tell you the spread after you fund.” Ask for product-specific prices and a written buyback quote first.
- “These special collectible coins are worth much more.” Collectible and semi-numismatic claims warrant careful scrutiny; many coins are not IRA-eligible.
- “Just keep your IRA gold at home.” IRS rules generally require eligible IRA bullion to be held in the possession of a bank or approved nonbank trustee.
- “A free bonus offsets the fees.” Ask about both the price you pay and the price at which the metal can immediately be resold.
- “Roll over your entire retirement savings.” Avoid making a concentrated, irreversible decision on a salesperson's assurance. Consult an appropriately qualified independent adviser or tax specialist.
What the IRS actually says about storage
The IRS explains that certain gold coins and sufficiently refined bullion may be excepted from rules treating collectibles as distributions. For eligible bullion, the IRS requires physical possession by a bank or IRS-approved nonbank trustee. A self-directed IRA does not provide a general exception to these requirements, including through an IRA-owned LLC.
IRS: Retirement plans FAQs regarding IRAs · IRS: Investments in collectibles
What to get in writing
- Full product identity, purity, net metal weight, quantity and price
- Spot-price reference and premium paid for each item
- All sales commissions and processing charges
- Current buyback price on precisely the same items
- Custodian name and complete account fee schedule
- Depository, type of storage, annual fees and insurance terms
- Transactions, transfers, liquidation, distribution, and account closure charges
- Account eligibility, transfer/rollover steps, and tax implications from a qualified professional
Consider alternatives too
Some investors want physical ownership within a retirement account; others want gold-price exposure through exchange-traded products. These options have different regulatory structures, fees, custody arrangements, tax issues and investment risks. Compare their total costs and suitability instead of assuming either is inherently superior.
Primary sources: CFTC / FINRA bulletin, IRS FAQ, reviewed October 29, 2026. Educational only; this is not a determination about any named firm.