Metal you own, inside a tax-advantaged account
Most retirement savings sit in stocks, bonds and funds. A precious metals IRA lets you hold part of that money in physical gold or silver bars and coins instead, with the same tax treatment as a regular traditional or Roth IRA.
People usually do this to diversify away from the stock market or to keep some savings in an asset that doesn't depend on any one company or currency. Metal prices do go down as well as up, so it works best as one part of a broader plan.
Four steps
Open a self-directed IRA
Choose an IRS-approved custodian that handles precious metals IRAs and open an account with them.
Fund the account
Move money in by rollover from a 401(k) or another IRA, by direct transfer, or with a new contribution. Your custodian handles the paperwork.
Choose your metal
Pick IRA-eligible gold or silver from us. Your custodian places the purchase on behalf of your IRA.
Metal goes to a depository
The metal is delivered to the approved depository your custodian uses and stored there in your IRA's name.
IRA purity rules
The IRS sets minimum purity standards. Gold generally needs to be .995 fine or better and silver .999 fine or better. A few government-minted coins, such as the American Gold Eagle, are specifically allowed as well.
Collectible and numismatic coins and jewelry do not qualify. Every product page lists purity, and the products below are marked IRA-eligible in their descriptions. If you are unsure about an item, ask us before your custodian places the order.
IRA-eligible products
Good to know
Custodian and storage fees
Custodians and depositories charge their own account and storage fees. Ask for their fee schedule before you open the account.
No home storage
IRS rules require IRA metal to be held by an approved depository. Keeping IRA metal at home can count as a distribution.
Same IRA rules apply
Contribution limits, rollover rules and required minimum distributions work the same way as for any other IRA.
Get tax advice
Talk to your tax advisor or financial professional about whether a precious metals IRA fits your situation.
Talk to our team
Tell us what you are considering and we will help you choose IRA-eligible metal for your plan.
Send us a message
Bullion Fortune sells physical precious metals and is not an IRA custodian, trustee or depository. Information on this page is general and is not tax, legal or investment advice.