A gold IRA is a self-directed IRA (SDIRA) that holds physical precious metals — gold, silver, platinum, or palladium — instead of stocks or mutual funds. It follows the same tax rules and contribution limits as a standard IRA ($7,000 per year in 2026; $8,000 if 50 or older). The key differences are the custodian (must be IRS-approved for SDIRAs), the assets (physical metals meeting IRS purity standards), and the fees (significantly higher than a standard brokerage IRA).

Are gold IRAs a good investment?

Gold IRAs can serve as an inflation hedge and portfolio diversifier, but come with significant drawbacks: no dividends or interest income, annual fees of $200–$600 (vs $0 at most brokerages), lower liquidity than stocks, and dealer markups of 3%–8% on purchases. Most financial planners suggest limiting precious metals to 5%–10% of a retirement portfolio. For most investors, a low-cost diversified stock portfolio outperforms gold over 20+ years. Consult a licensed financial advisor before opening a gold IRA.

How do I open a gold IRA?

To open a gold IRA: (1) Choose an IRS-approved self-directed IRA custodian that supports precious metals. (2) Open the SDIRA and fund it via a rollover from a 401(k) or IRA, a direct transfer, or a new contribution. (3) Choose IRS-eligible metals through an approved dealer. (4) The dealer ships the metals directly to an IRS-approved depository. The process typically takes 2–4 weeks from start to first metal purchase.

What metals can you hold in a gold IRA?

The IRS permits gold (minimum 0.995 purity), silver (0.999), platinum (0.9995), and palladium (0.9995) in a self-directed IRA. Eligible gold includes American Gold Eagles, Gold Buffalos, Canadian Maple Leafs, and Australian Kangaroos. Not eligible: South African Krugerrands, collectible coins, jewelry, gold ETFs, or mining stocks. Metals must be stored at an IRS-approved depository — home storage is not permitted.

What does a gold IRA cost annually?

Expect three layers of fees: setup ($50–$150 one-time), annual custodian ($75–$300), and annual storage ($100–$300). Plus dealer markups of 3%–8% on each metal purchase. Total ongoing costs often run $200–$600 per year. On a $50,000 gold IRA, that is 0.4%–1.2% annually — far higher than the 0.03%–0.10% expense ratio on a typical S&P 500 index fund.

Can I convert my existing IRA or 401(k) to a gold IRA?

Yes. You can move funds from a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or other qualified retirement plan into a gold IRA via a direct rollover (custodian-to-custodian, no taxes owed) or indirect rollover (you receive funds and must redeposit within 60 days). Direct rollovers are strongly preferred to avoid tax risk. There is no limit on rollover amounts, and no taxes are triggered on a properly executed rollover.

Gold IRA Guide 2026: Rules, Companies, Tax & How to Invest in Precious Metals

A gold IRA is a self-directed IRA that holds physical precious metals instead of stocks or funds. The 2026 contribution limit is $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+) — the same as a standard IRA. What differs is what you hold, who can custody it, how much it costs, and the IRS rules that apply.

Disclaimer: This hub is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment or tax advice. Gold IRAs involve significant fees and risk. Consult a licensed financial advisor and tax professional before making any retirement investment decisions.

Gold IRA at a Glance (2026)

Feature	Gold IRA	Standard IRA (Fidelity/Vanguard)
2026 contribution limit	$7,000 / $8,000 (50+)	$7,000 / $8,000 (50+)
Tax treatment	Same (Traditional or Roth)	Same
Assets held	Physical gold, silver, platinum, palladium	Stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds
Custodian	IRS-approved SDIRA custodian	Any major brokerage
Annual fees	$200–$600	$0 (most brokers)
Dealer markup	3%–8% per purchase	N/A
Income generated	None	Dividends, interest
RMD age	73 (Traditional gold IRA)	73 (Traditional IRA)
Home storage	Not permitted	N/A

Eligible Precious Metals (IRS Purity Standards)

Metal	Minimum Purity	Key Eligible Coins
Gold	0.995 (99.5%)	American Gold Eagle*, Gold Buffalo, Canadian Maple Leaf
Silver	0.999 (99.9%)	American Silver Eagle, Canadian Silver Maple Leaf
Platinum	0.9995 (99.95%)	American Platinum Eagle, Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf
Palladium	0.9995 (99.95%)	American Palladium Eagle, Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf

*American Gold Eagle is exempt from the 0.995 purity rule by IRS statute.

How to Use This Guide

This cluster covers every major decision in opening and managing a gold IRA:

Gold IRA Guide: Rules, Costs & How It Works

The foundational overview — how gold IRAs work structurally, the custodian/dealer/depository relationship, fee breakdown, types (Traditional vs Roth), and who benefits.

Gold IRA Companies 2026: What to Look For

How gold IRA companies work, what to compare across custodians and dealers, fee structures, red flags to avoid, and questions to ask before opening.

Gold IRA Tax Rules 2026: Contributions, Withdrawals & RMDs

Deep dive into contribution deductibility, rollover tax mechanics, RMD rules for physical metals, early withdrawal penalties, and prohibited transactions.

How to Choose a Gold IRA Custodian

Seven criteria for evaluating custodians: IRS approval, fees, storage partners, insurance, minimums, reporting, and red flags.

How to Convert an IRA to Gold or Silver: Step-by-Step

Direct rollover vs indirect rollover vs transfer — step-by-step guide from choosing a custodian through first metal delivery.

Gold IRA Pros and Cons 2026: Is It Worth It?

Comprehensive pros and cons with a worked cost comparison — $50,000 gold IRA vs index fund IRA over 20 years.

Bitcoin IRA vs Gold IRA 2026: Which Is Right for You?

Comparison of two alternative-asset IRA options: fees, volatility, custody, IRS treatment, and who each suits.

Precious Metals in a Self-Directed IRA: Silver, Platinum & Palladium

Beyond gold — detailed IRS rules for silver, platinum, and palladium IRAs, eligible coins and bars, and approved depositories.

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy