Gold-backed IRA rollovers are a way to invest in physical gold without having to find a depository to store it. These accounts allow you to store your gold with a trustee, who backs them. Gold-backed IRA rollovers are a type of self-directed IRA, which is an account that allows you to invest in a variety of assets.
What Is a Gold-Backed IRA Rollover?
A gold-backed IRA rollover occurs when an individual moves their retirement assets from a traditional IRA to a gold-backed IRA.
Gold-backed IRAs differ from traditional IRAs in that they are backed by physical gold instead of paper assets. For example, gold-backed IRAs typically hold gold bullion bars (1 troy ounce), gold coins (1 troy ounce), and gold certificates (1 troy ounce). Each gold-backed IRA usually contains a minimum value of 5% of the value of the IRA.
Is There a Gold IRA Rollover Option?
If you’re considering an IRA rollover, you may have seen advertisements that say you can roll over your current IRA or 401(k) into gold or other precious metals. While such ads may be tempting, these investments do not qualify for an IRA rollover.
Can Gold-Backed IRA Rollovers Be Rolled Over to Another IRA?
Yes, you can roll over a Gold-Backed IRA rollover to another Gold-Backed IRA or other qualified retirement account. A Gold-Backed IRA rollover may make sense if you are considering a Gold-Backed IRA rollover because you already hold an IRA with another custodian.
How Are Gold Prices Calculated?
Gold has traditionally been held in different forms and precious metals are valued based on their purity. The purity of gold is measured with a karat system. One troy ounce of gold is made up of 31.1 grams. The karat purity indicates how much gold is within the troy ounce.
What Is the Gold IRA Rollover Process?
When you open a self-directed IRA, you are essentially opening your own brokerage account. You can buy and sell precious metals (such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium), stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, and a variety of other investment vehicles. Most self-directed IRA account holders purchase traditional gold bullion, which is purchased, stored, and insured by a third-party custodian.
The gold IRA rollover process works similarly to the rollover process for a traditional IRA. You transfer the funds from your old IRA to your new IRA custodian. The custodian then purchases gold bullion on your behalf.
The Bottom Line
If you’re considering moving your retirement assets to a gold-backed IRA rollover, it’s important to understand the risks involved. While gold’s value has historically risen during times of market crisis, there have been cautions about whether it can reliably do so in the future.
