The best way to invest in precious metals is by buying gold backed IRA from the best gold IRA companies. We’ve reviewed the top gold investment companies that offer traditional or self-directed gold IRA accounts.
This review covers the pros and cons of the top 10 gold IRA companies including fees, portfolio, storage, security, quality of customer support, company’s reputation, buyback policy, customer feedback, BBB accreditations, and trustworthiness. You can easily invest in an IRS-approved precious metals investment company.
Overview of The Best Gold Investment Companies
10 Best Gold IRA Companies in [current_date format=’F, Y’].
- Goldco Precious Metals – Best IRA Company Overall
- Birch Gold Group – Best for Gold IRA Rollover
- American Hartford Gold – Best for Price Match Guarantee
- Orion Metal Exchange – Best for buying gold online
- Oxford Gold Group – Best for self-directed precious metals IRA
- Patriot Gold Group – Best for Heavy Investments
- Augusta Precious Metals – Best for Transparent Pricing
- Noble Gold – Best Segregated Storage
- Regal Assets – Best For Crypto IRA and Digital Asset
- Advantage Gold – Best for First-Time Investors
Overview of Goldco
Goldco Precious Metals A+ managed to rank among the best gold IRAs. The company provides competitive pricing for precious metals, has excellent rollover options, and is known for its superb customer service. In this Goldco Precious Metals review, we’ll explore this investment company’s benefits and the pros and cons of its services. If you need more information, we have written a comprehensive goldco review.
Customer service
Goldco provides comprehensive customer service for both online and telephone orders. Experts are available to answer your questions and handle most of the paperwork.
Educational materials
Goldco also provides extensive educational resources, including written reports and videos. Customer service strives to ensure that the company’s customers are educated on the process and can make informed decisions.
Low-cost Model
For IRAs, Goldco has low fees. It charges a one-time setup fee of $50 and a small wire fee of $30. After that, the annual maintenance and storage fees are $80 and $150, respectively. IRAs are eligible for IRS-approved storage and depository. However, costs can vary considerably. Goldco offers a 0% interest rate on IRAs for those with a smaller account.
Good Reputation
Goldco was recognized by Inc. magazine, ranking 528 on its 35th annual Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies since 2006. It operates under the names Goldco Precious Metals and Goldco Direct.
Buyback program
An IRA may already hold gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. Still, if you’d like to sell your gold back to them, you can sign up for Goldco’s Precious Metals Buyback program and sell your assets back to them.
Overview of Goldco
Overview of Birch Gold Group
This Birch Gold Group Review will look at their services and reputation. We will also discuss why they have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the benefits of signing up for the free educational guide. Here are the pros and cons, and highlights of this Birch Gold Group review:
A+ rating with the BBB
The Better Business Bureau is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the public good. The Gold Group is among the top BBB accredited businesses.
Birch is a premier precious metals company located in Burbank, California. It operates from 7 am to 6 pm PST on weekdays.
Understanding Precious Metals
The Birch Gold Group website contains extensive information on precious metals. You can easily learn everything about gold coins, silver coins, platinum, palladium, and gold bars.
Custodial Fees
The Birch investment Group also offers a low gold IRA account opening fee. Their custodian is Equity Trust Most Industry Awards Equity Trust. There is a $180 fee for gold IRA services and a $30 wire transfer fee to transfer money to their account.
401K to Precious Metals Rollover
You can rollover your retirement plan to a Precious Metals IRA with the best gold ira companies, and Birch Group helps you set up a precious metal in no time. If you don’t have an account for beginners Precious Metals Gold IRA Companies, you can use your 401K to start Precious Metals IRAs. With the right plan and guidance, you can have the security you have always wanted.
Pros and Cons of Birch Gold Group IRA
Overview of American Hartford Gold
The American Hartford Gold Group is an investment company specializing in precious metals, including buying and selling gold and silver IRAs. With over 20 years in the precious metals industry, their executives guarantee the lowest price on their products.
Price Match Guarantee
American Hartford Gold group is the best Overall American Hartford Gola and a well-known firm among seniors and consumers in the precious metals industry. It specializes in buying and selling gold and silver IRAs. They also offer a price match guarantee.
Custodian fees
The American Hartford Gold company does charge custodian fees. For purchases made through a retirement account, the costs are 180 dollars. You might be charged other fees to invest through a self-directed IRA based on your account size.
Buyback Commitment
Consider an American Hartford Gold buyback commitment if you want to invest in precious metals but aren’t sure which one to choose. This service allows you to sell your gold and silver to an American Hartford Gold rep when you have no use for them anymore. A representative will help you choose the right time to invest, and they will provide you with up-to-date information on market trends.
Gold IRA Reviews
Their customer service representatives are always available to answer your questions and direct you down the investment path.
While the scores are high on consumer and performance ratings, some customers have complained about losses. However, these complaints were based on fluctuations in the price of precious metals.
Educational Materials
Hartford Gold tries to educate its customers about investing in gold and silver. In addition to having an extensive library of articles, e-books, webinars, and other resources, they also offer a daily informational blog.
Pros & Cons of American Hartford IRAs
Overview of Orion Metals Exchange
An Orion Metal Exchange review will give you an overview of the benefits of this Precious Metals IRA. The Orion Metal Exchange has a good selection of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins. Its representatives are knowledgeable and friendly, making the transfer process simple.
Orion Metal Exchange is a Precious Metals IRA
The gold investment company has an international customer base, including manufacturers and sovereign mints. It has been selling precious metals for more than 15 years. It is a fully integrated precious metals platform, offering numismatic coins and related products. Its business model involves wholesale sales, ancillary services, and direct-to-consumer sales.
Orion Exchange Fees
You will pay a maintenance fee of $150 to $225 annually and an additional $75 to $100 storage fee annually.
Selection of coins
Orion is one of the few precious metals companies that offer gold coins, silver bars, and platinum coins. You can also use your IRA to purchase precious metals through their website. You can buy your coins online from their website.
Platinum and palladium coins are not readily available at many retail locations. However, you can find good selections of these coins at Origin Metal Exchange. Platinum coins are generally more expensive than gold coins. They are also used for jewelry, catalytic converters, and solar energy.
Is Orion Metal Exchange legit?
The company has been operating since 1997. They offer two-way trading in gold, silver, platinum, and numismatics, as well as a lucrative compensation package.
Pros and Cons of Orion Metals IRAs
Overview of Oxford Gold Group
A vital part of the Oxford Gold Group experience is its transparent pricing structure. You will never have to worry about additional fees when dealing with the group. Their salespeople fees are not paid by commission, so you can expect excellent customer service.
Investment Platform for Retirees
The financial firm was founded on the idea that everyone should access precious metal investments. They’ve developed an investment platform for retirees and offer custom-tailored advice on how to buy precious metals with retirement funds.
You can choose from over 15 different types of gold and silver or open a platinum retiree IRA account. They’re a leading precious metals dealer in Los Angeles, California. They are backed by partners with more than 20 years of experience in the industry.
IRA Yearly fees
To set up your account, you’ll pay a $325 one-time fee for the first year; the following year, you will pay a recurring $180. An IRA account minimum investment requirement of $1,500 for non-IRA increases to $7,500 for gold-IRA investment.
Trustworthiness
You can look for many things to determine the trustworthiness of Oxford Gold. First of all, you should make sure that it is legitimate. They have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and have a five-star rating on the site.
Delivery & shipping
The Oxford Gold Group offers customers a variety of precious metal products online. Customers can purchase small coins and bars based on their weight or larger quantities of bullion and other products. The products will be shipped anywhere in the U.S. and provide tracking information. Oxford also offers a storage service for customers who purchase large amounts of precious metals to make the process even easier.
Hassle-free IRA account
The Oxford Gold Group also offers gold and silver IRAs. Opening a gold IRA account takes about 10 minutes and requires a driver’s license and a retirement account statement. Customers can also fund their gold IRAs by depositing cash or existing retirement accounts. IRAs are offered to both individual customers and institutional clients. Oxford investment group also offers a buyback program and liquidation program without fees.
Pros & Cons of Oxford Gold IRAs
Overview of Patriot Gold Group
The Patriot Gold Group is a precious metal investment company based in California, USA. Its unique “no fee for life” guarantee has made it stand out in the precious metal investment industry. They also enjoy a high level of market presence in the USA. Here, we look at their pricing and the quality of their precious metals gold.
History
The Patriot Group has been in business since 1986 and is one of the largest competitors in this niche. Their website is well maintained and offers primary informational resources and materials, with only a few complaints reported. Those complaints are primarily about the high initial fee and disagreements over coin value.
Awards and Rating
As a reputable IRA dealer, Patriot Gold Investment Group has won numerous awards from Consumer Affairs. They also maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Minimum IRA Size
Patriot offers silver and gold. The minimum IRA size is $25,000. The setup fee is waived and accessible for customers investing over $30,000; otherwise, you must pay $225.
No Fee for Life Policy
Patriot group waives all fees for customers that invest at least a quarter of a million dollars. This dealer could be a good option if you buy a minimum of $250K precious metal IRAs.
Pros & Cons of Patriot Gold Group IRA
Overview of Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta Precious Metals is a family-owned company that has been in business for over 40 years. The company has excellent customer service and most customers appreciate their thoroughness and professionalism when dealing with them.
Financial Advisory
Since Augusta is a premier gold-ira firm, once you are engaged with your rep, you’ll be assigned a personal agent with extensive experience. These agents can answer any question about the precious metals market and the IRA opportunities. They even provide financial advice and explain how the precious metals market works to safeguard your retirement portfolio.
Account Management
In addition to satisfactory customer service, Augusta Precious Metals offers state-of-the-art account management. This company has been around for decades and has a proven track record for customer satisfaction. Customers can also expect life-long support from its customer service representatives.
Professional Membership
An excellent way to judge the customer satisfaction of Augusta is to check its rating on professional websites. In addition, you can also check if they’re a member of the National Ethics Association (NEA). NEA’s member businesses adhere to strict guidelines of ethics.
Reasonable Rates
The account opening tools are very handy, and the process is easy- It will only cost you $50. The annual maintenance fee is $100, and the depository storage fee costs you another $100 yearly. The min investment required to start a precious metal IRA with Augusta is $50,000.
IRA Approved Vaults
Augusta Precious Metal firm is arranging precious metals IRAs and offers custodianship. They also provide IRS-approved vaults for both IRA-compatible coins and non-IRA collectible bullion in four prominent locations, including Tarzana and a satellite office in Beverley Hills, California.
Pros & Const of Gold IRAs from Augusta
Overview of Noble Gold
The Noble Gold investments have an excellent reputation in the industry. Yet, they don’t have the highest rating as most competitors. Still, there are many reasons to give Noble Gold a try. Listed below are some things to consider when choosing a custodial service.
Minimum Investment Deposit
To open an account with Noble Gold, you must pay the minimum deposit of $2,000. All precious metals are maintained in secure facilities like the IRA-approved vaults in Mississauga, Dakota Depository Company, Ontario, and Delaware Depository Setup.
Quick Rollover Application
The gold IRA rollover with Noble Gold is simple. Customers can complete 90% of the rollover process in under 10 minutes. Besides being free, Noble Gold also offers a one-year free client-fee waiver.
Storing Your Gold IRA
Noble Gold also offers segregated storage for precious metals and can verify eligibility for free custodial services. They also provide free online access to monitor your gold investments. Noble-Gold provides both offshore and local storage and boasts world-class segregated storage facilities. It also offers IRA-approved bullion and rare coins, and they offer Royal Survival Packs ranging from $10,000 to $500,000.
Annual Fees
Noble charges you an $80 annual fee and $150 yearly for storing your precious metals.
Gold IRAs Blog
Customers also appreciate that Noble Gold has a comprehensive blog. This informative blog covers various topics related to the best gold IRAs. The articles are brief and to the point.
Pros & Cons of Noble Gold
Overview of Regal Assets
Regal Assets offers free informative reports detailing current events, potential risks, and how to avoid them. These reports advise avoiding a doomsday and will help you choose an alternative investment to gold, bitcoin, or cash.
Crypto Portfolio
As one of the first companies to incorporate cryptocurrencies into their gold IRA, Regal Assets offers a variety of options. Customers can invest in gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and rollover in crypto IRA.
RegalAssets has been ranked among the top 50 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., according to the Inc. 500. Its positive reviews on TrustLink and BirdEye are positive, with just a few complaints. It also has a low complaint rate, with only eight one-star and three two-star reviews.
Customer Service
One of the advantages of Regal Assets is its customer service. They handle all requests with the same level of enthusiasm. They don’t try to pressure you into a decision; instead, they give you all the data you need and let you decide what to do.
Buy Digital Currencies
Regal assets LLC also supports other digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, stocks, and bonds. Suppose you’d like to diversify your portfolio even further. In that case, you can also invest in other types of cryptocurrency, such as Zcash. To invest in a cryptocurrency IRA, you can purchase it on the platform or through one of the best cryptocurrency brokers.
Buy Physical Gold
“Regal Assets” is an excellent choice for looking for physical assets such as gold or silver. It also offers eight types of cryptocurrency investments. You can use their investment guide to start investing in cryptocurrency with a free Crypto IRA Kit. You can even set up a Bitcoin IRA account with them, which is insured for up to $2 million.
Positive Reviews
Customers have reviewed Regal Assets on TrustLink and rated it 4.6 out of 5 stars. Additionally, there are no negative gold IRA reviews. A few customers mention that they need to communicate better with their account managers, but overall, they have a high reputation and positive reviews.
Pros and Cons of Regal Assets IRA
Overview of Advantage Gold
The Advantage Gold website has excellent resources for investing in precious metals. The platform includes helpful information on IRAs, buying and selling precious metals, and gold coins. It also offers help in setting up a Precious Metals IRA, handles all the details, and pays minimum spot prices for all metals. The gold investment firm was founded in 2007 and featured in Inc. and Forbes magazines.
Diverse Portfolio
The website also includes information on diversifying your portfolio and getting the best gold deals. Advantage Gold has a U.S. Mint listing as a reputable company, reassuring customers. Apart from gold, Advantage Gold offers platinum, palladium, and numismatics. Among the numismatics, Advantage Gold carries rare and collector coins. Some of these coins might not be eligible for IRAs.
Buyback Policy
Advantage Gold has one of the industry’s most straightforward and transparent buyback policies. With a buyback rate generally higher than the spot price, the company pays you the market value for your gold. The Better Business Bureau rates Advantage Gold as five stars out of five.
Pros & Cons of Advantage Gold IRA
Gold Allied Trust is not on our top 10 list. Still, it is an accredited business with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a five-star rating from TrustLink. It offers an investment handbook along with free consultation about precious metals.
The minimum investment requirement is $25000, and Gold Allied Trust accepts the most precious physical assets. Its account setup and management fees are much lower and more transparent than other retirement accounts. Gold Allied Trust offers both buyback and rollover options.
The annual fee charged by Gold Alliance is a reasonable $175. The fee covers the insurance for the metals you purchase, storage fees for those metals, and an online account. It also includes financial statements every three months.
The best gold IRA companies help investors store and manage their precious metal assets and handle the logistics. Some Gold IRAs provide investment advice regarding buying and selling gold coins and bars. A top gold IRA company with top-rated customer support is a good option for first-time investors.
IRS Regulation
It’s essential to choose a regulated IRA company. This means these investment companies have undergone strict regulation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and are registered with the MSRB and FINRA. If it doesn’t, you should look elsewhere. If it is not registered, it may be a scam, and you don’t want your hard-earned profit to go to waste.
How to choose a Good IRA company?
Many people are turning to gold for retirement preparation, and there is no reason to be surprised. With its historically stable value, gold is an attractive investment choice. Moreover, it’s far more secure than stocks and bonds. A best gold IRA company should have these characteristics:
- It should offer a diverse range of precious metals.
- It should also allow you to invest in silver, platinum, palladium, and other rare metals.
- Should have transparent and fair buyback options.
- There should be no hidden fees when liquidating your valuable metals.
- Must offer transparent pricing and guarantees that it won’t deduct any expenses if you decide to sell your gold.
Here is the list of IRS-approved coins for the Gold IRA:
- American Gold Eagle bullion (Both coin and proof coins)
- American Gold Buffalo Coin
- Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coins
- Austrian Gold Philharmonic and Kangaroo/Nugget coins
- Chinese Gold Panda coins
- Rounds and bars minted in approved refiners such as NYMEX, COMEX, NYSE/Liffe, LME, LBMA, LPPM, TOCOM, ISO 9000
- All national governments mint golds with 99.9% purity finesse
American Eagle
American Eagle gold coins meet the IRS’s requirements for IRA investing. They are the official bullion of the United States and have a purity of at least 99.99%. You can also buy coins, such as the one-ounce American Eagle proof coin. The good news is that gold American Eagles are tax-free when held in a gold IRA, but the Internal Revenue Service is currently reviewing this practice. You can purchase these coins through a gold IRA to avoid unnecessary taxes.
You can also invest in silver coins; however, British Sovereign coins, South African Krugerrands, or older U.S. coins might not meet the requirements.
Canadian Maple Leaf
The Canadian Maple Leaf coins are eligible for a gold IRA if you’re a Comex member and Hallmark-certified. You can buy Canadian Maple Leaf coins from the Royal Canadian Mint or other authorized sources. International shipping fees may apply, so check carefully before purchasing.
The face value of a Canadian Maple Leaf is listed on the back. A Canadian Maple Leaf’s face value is the value that the coin is worth.
Investing in gold through your IRA can diversify your investment portfolio because gold is universally recognized, making it a sound investment in times of financial crisis and stock market crashes. Before you invest, it’s good to research the best gold investment companies. Here are four reasons you should invest in gold as a retirement investment strategy:
- Maintain the value of your investment portfolio
- It has a low correlation with inflation.
- Its price fluctuates based on supply and demand, the value of gold in bank reserves, and investor behavior.
- It’s a diversified low-risk investment.
A well-diversified retirement portfolio doesn’t invest in one type of asset. No financial advisor would recommend investing all of your money in stocks. Gold has historically held its value. Also, you must start taking distributions from your traditional gold IRA at age 72. However, if you want to wait until your gold investment grows to its full potential, you can buy a futures contract granting you the right to purchase gold later.
What types of Gold Can You Hold in Precious Metals IRAs?
These are the main types of gold can you hold in your precious metals IRA:
- IRS approved Gold
- Platinum or Palladium Bullion
- Palladium or Platinum Coin
When looking for an IRA custodian to hold your gold IRA, look for IRS accreditation and reputation, compare their fees, and check customer support. It would be helpful if you avoid firms that use unofficial storage facilities. They may not be reputable enough to be an acceptable option for your gold IRA.
What are IRA custodial Fees?
There are Seven types of fees associated with keeping a gold IRA custodian:
- New Account Opening Fees
- Annual Maintenance Fees
- Per Transactions Fees
- Administration Fees
- Storage Fees
- Early buy or sell fees
- Commissions
Account application fees are standard among rare metals IRA custodians. The gold IRA cost can start from $50. In addition, you may need to pay other fees per transaction. Generally, custodians will charge an annual maintenance fee that covers administrative costs.
Traditional IRAs are tax-deductible, only up to six thousand dollars per year, and they require that you have a trade or business. Contributions to Roth IRAs are not tax-deductible. A cash balance IRA is an alternative, as contributions made after-tax money grow tax-deferred. Employer-sponsored SEP IRAs are also popular options for retirement savings. SIMPLE IRAs are set up for small businesses with 100 or fewer employees. They require an employer contribution of 2%, with an optional three percent.
Self Directed IRA
Another alternative to traditional IRAs is the Self-Directed precious metals IRA, also known as SDIRA. The advantages are more than SDIRAs cons as it allows you to invest in various products, including highly-valued metals, real estate, and more. The money in these accounts can be invested directly or through a trustee. Self-Directed IRAs are offered as a traditional or Roth IRA. The IRA holder is in charge of managing the account rather than being supervised by a trustee.
Gold IRA Alternatives
Whether you want to invest in physical gold or digital coins, there are many options for you to choose from.
- You can go for Roth IRAs and Gold IRA companies. Traditional IRAs are funded with the pre-tax dollar, and withdrawals will be taxed only at retirement.
- On the other hand, Roth gold IRAs are funded with after-tax money, and there is no tax advantage immediately. In other words, taxes are paid when you start taking distributions in retirement.
- SEP gold IRA companies are available for self-employed individuals and small business owners.
- Depending on how much money you deposit, a self-directed IRA may be an option for you.
- Typically, a gold investment newcomer prefers to diversify by using a gold ETF, a type of exchange-traded funds. These funds track the price of gold.
- Investing in gold indirectly through mutual funds can also be viable. Some gold funds directly track the spot price of gold.
Tax advantages of Traditional IRA vs. gold IRA
Do your homework when deciding between a Gold IRA and a Tax-Advantaged IRA. You may need to contact an investment advisor about Tax Relief Companies or a regulated custodian to start investing in gold. It’s recommended that you work with an investment firm specializing in this type of account. A custodian is a financial institution approved by the IRS that manages your investments. Do not risk your capital without seeking advice from professional tax experts.
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 changed the rules for IRA storage, so some investors opt to store their assets outside the United States. You can choose the IRA storage companies or move to an Offshore repository for a physical gold depot.
Segregated storage
As a gold IRA investor, you should avoid co-mingling with other precious metals in an IRA. Because this practice puts your gold IRA at risk of disappearance, you must choose an IRA provider that uses segregated storage facilities. Segregated storage is more secure than other methods and may even be more costly. But it is worth it if you have the security of knowing that your metals are stored separately.
Offshore vaults
Regarding safety, offshore vaults are perceived to be more secure than USA-based storage for gold IRA. The Cayman Islands, for example, have a reputation as the safest jurisdiction for high-priced metals depository. Make sure you don’t get into scams and fraudulent tax heaven schemes.
Storing Proof coins
If you plan to use proof coins for your IRA, ensure they are kept in their mint packaging, and the certificate of authenticity is included. These proof coins should be stored in holders, as fingerprints can devalue them. To ensure a quality coin, wear non-powdered latex gloves when handling them.
Choosing the best gold investment company to plan for retirement should not be difficult. We have evaluated over 50 companies with a strong presence in the US market and decided to make it easier for seniors to focus on retirement savings using this list of companies as the top 10 best gold ira investment companies this year. Here is a summary:
How We Chose Gold IRA Companies
When we evaluated the top gold IRA companies, our editorial team tried to carefully review the following areas to make sure we don’t leave a stone unturned.
- What storage options do Gold IRA companies offer?
- What are the Gold IRA fees that these firms charge?
- What companies have the highest customer reviews and ratings?
- What investment firm has BBB accreditation and valuable memberships?
- What are the IRA company’s account minimums?
- What companies have lawsuits and are currently being investigated.
- Based on customers’ public reviews, what company is transparent and honest with investors.
- What website is comprehensive, and Informative enough to guide you through your journey?
- What company is clear about its buyback policy?
- Which gold investment dealer helps investors with understanding legal complexities associated with IRAs
- What gold company uses scammy, phony, and unfair tactics, Vs those who use fair and realistic marketing strategies.
- Are the investment company and sales representatives pushing you to invest fast?