Where to Buy IRA Approved Gold Bars

Investing in IRA-approved gold bars is a strategic way to diversify your retirement portfolio while protecting your wealth with a tangible, inflation-resistant asset. However, purchasing gold for an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) involves more than simply buying bullion; it requires sourcing bars that meet strict IRS standards for purity, authenticity, and storage.

When considering where to buy IRA-approved gold bars, it's essential to choose reputable dealers and institutions. Trusted sources often provide a wide selection of approved products, transparent pricing, and assistance with the process of integrating gold into a self-directed IRA.

This guide will help you navigate the best places to purchase IRA-approved gold bars, ensuring your investment is secure, compliant, and aligned with your long-term financial goals.

Best Places to Buy IRA-Approved Gold

Compare some top gold brokers where you can start investing in IRA-approved gold and diversifying your retirement portfolio.

1. American Alternative Assets

One of the core offerings of American Alternative Assets is assisting clients with purchasing IRA-approved gold and silver and helping them establish self-directed IRAs. American Alternative Assets ensures compliance with IRS regulations by offering precious metals that meet strict purity standards and guiding clients in selecting trusted storage facilities.

The company is recognized for its transparency, personalized service, and commitment to educating investors about alternative asset options. Whether you’re looking to hedge against inflation, diversify your portfolio, or explore new ways to build wealth, American Alternative Assets provides expertise and support to help achieve your financial goals.

2. American Hartford Gold

Family-run American Hartford Gold offers its customers access to a variety of gold and silver coins. You have the option of taking delivery of your physical precious metals or setting up a gold IRA. Clients are eligible for three years of free storage with no IRA fees or up to $5,000 in free silver. 

The Los Angeles-based company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a five-star customer satisfaction rating from review platforms like Trustpilot. 

3. Priority Gold

Priority Gold offers gold buyers a reputation for reliability, price transparency, and good old-fashioned customer service. With gold (and silver) products, you can take advantage of the 4-Step setup for a precious metals IRA, if you so choose.

Use this platform to build a collection of precious metals, add to your portfolio, and learn more about the markets at the same time. Pricing is reasonable, customer service is more than accessible and there’s even an unconditional precious metals buyback guarantee if you aren’t completely satisfied. 

True, platinum and palladium are not available, but there’s plenty of gold and silver to choose from. With insured and expedited shipping, you can add to your collection today.

IRA-Approved Gold Bars

Though gold has long been considered a wealth-preservation asset, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) can’t invest in all types of gold bars. IRA-approved gold bars are gold bars that are deemed eligible to be used as investments in an IRA by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This eligibility depends on certain minimum requirements such as a 0.995% purity rate, storage in an approved depository, and production by an accredited manufacturer, refiner, or assayer.

Some of the eligible IRA-approved gold bars include:

• Credit Suisse Gold Bar
• Johnson Matthey Gold Bar
• Valcambi Gold CombiBar 
• Argor-Heraeus Kinebar Gold Bar
• Royal Canadian Mint Gold Bar

IRA-Approved Gold Products

Apart from gold bars, IRAs can hold other approved gold products, too, including:

• Perth Mint Gold Lunar Rabbit Coins
• American Gold Eagle Coins
• Gold Maple Leaf Coin
• Queen's Beasts Completer Gold Coin
• Australian Kangaroo/Nugget Coins
• Austrian Philharmonic Coins
• Canadian Maple Leaf Coins
• Chinese Panda

IRA-Approved Precious Metals

Gold is not the only precious metal that can be held in an IRA. Some IRAs hold select precious metals like silver, platinum, and palladium which are approved by the IRS. These IRAs can be purchased from approved custodians and dealers.

Given the uncertain economic landscape (as seen by rising inflation and interest rates, plus the possibility of the economy slipping into a recession), investing in IRAs backed by precious metals can make a sound long-term investment. 

This investment choice offers a viable way of diversifying your retirement portfolio and hedging against risk, especially regarding long-term retirement planning.  But before investing in precious metals IRAs, it’s important that you conduct your due diligence.

Benefits of Investing in a Gold IRA

Several benefits come with investing in gold IRAs. Let's have a look at some of them. 

• Diversification: Risk management is essential in developing a strong investment portfolio. When it comes to retirement planning, having assets that react differently to economic cycles is important. Gold IRAs make a viable addition to your portfolio mix because they often move in opposite directions to other assets like stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs. 
• Variety: Gold IRAs offer an opportunity to invest in gold and other precious metals without the hassles that come with transporting and storing physical gold. This benefit gives you the flexibility to structure your retirement portfolio with ease and make the most of your investments.
• Tax Benefits: Gold IRAs offer some of the same tax benefits as regular IRAs. Notably, traditional self-directed IRA (SDIRA) contributions are tax-deductible. Meanwhile, eligible withdrawals from Roth accounts are tax-free.
• Long-Term Hold: Gold IRAs are not liquid, which makes them well-suited for retirement planning since you won't need to trade them until you retire. 
• Greater Control: Because gold IRAs are self-directed (managed by you and not a fund manager), you have greater control over your portfolio and can make decisions that suit your financial objectives. 

Considerations for Gold IRA Investors

Before you invest in a gold IRA, there are a couple of factors that you need to consider. 

• Transparency: Knowing all your expenses in advance might help you prevent unpleasant surprises after you invest. This makes transparency one of the most important factors you should consider when choosing a gold IRA. 
• Track Record: You want to look for a company with a solid reputation from reliable reviewers, such as the Better Business Bureau or the Business Consumer Alliance. Investigating customer reviews, particularly the volume of complaints made, may also be beneficial. 
• Qualifications: Only deal with a company that has current licenses, registrations, and insurance. Before committing your investment, ask for verification of IRS approval and other relevant information.
• Custodian Fees: Most gold IRAs state that they charge no management fees. But there could be a catch, as some charge custodian fees instead. Verify how much you would need to pay for all types of fees, especially if you are transferring your account from another financial institution.
• Storage Fees: Gold must be kept in a licensed storage facility that charges storage fees. Accounting for storage fees is crucial to calculating how much your total investment would cost over time, and if it is a good option for you. 

Should You Invest in a Gold IRA?

To determine if a gold IRA is right for you, evaluate your financial goals, risk tolerance, and long-term strategy. For those seeking stability and a hedge against economic uncertainty, a gold IRA can be a valuable complement to traditional investments. With careful planning and the right provider, it may help secure a stronger and more balanced retirement portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions