7 Best Gold IRA Companies 2023 (Ranked by customer reviews)

If you want to diversify your financial portfolio, gold IRAs are a low-risk investment option that is very profitable for many investors. Our team combed through pages of reviews of the top gold IRA companies to find the best ones to invest in during 2023.

Gold individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are a type of self-directed IRA account that allow investors to put their retirement in reliable, tangible precious metals and valuables.

Gold IRA companies help investors source qualifying goods, find secure, compliant storage and manage account rollover.

Of the many gold IRA companies, these seven are the most reputable, trustworthy options for investors in the coming year.

Top 7 Best Gold IRA Companies

1. Augusta Precious Metals – Editors’ choice
2. Goldco – Best pricing
3. Noble Gold Investments – Best for beginners
4. Birch Gold Group – Best fee structure
5. American Hartford Gold – Best customer support
6. Advantage Gold – Best for first-time buyers
7. Oxford Gold Group – Best customer experience

Methodology

When deciding which gold IRA companies to recommend, we looked primarily at the following criteria:

• Better business bureau (BBB) rating: We only considered companies with BBB ratings of A+.
• Verified third-party reviews: To avoid bias, we looked at reviews from companies such as TrustPilot and other third-party sites, not just reviews from the company’s website.
• Promotions: We looked for the best investment opportunities for new account holders and beginners. These should have promotions and extra support for those investing in gold for the first time.
• Years in business: Low-quality companies will not last long in a competitive market. We looked for reliable companies that have years of expertise and practice.
• Customer reviews: We chose companies that had a large number of positive reviews from customers, not those with just a handful of comments.
• Leadership: We looked for companies headed by experienced, passionate leadership. A company is only as good as those who head it, so we wanted to ensure we only included companies with trusted, reputable leaders.

Gold IRA Reviews

After looking through countless companies, reviews and fee structures, these are the best gold IRA companies to invest in during the 2023 fiscal year. These companies meet and exceed the criteria laid out in our methodology and have many five-star, reliable customer reviews.

Augusta Precious Metals – Editors’ Choice

Augusta Precious Metals is a family-owned business that was founded in 2012. The company is committed to transparency, simplicity and excellent service. In addition to an A+ rating from the BBB, the Business Consumer Alliance rated Augusta Precious Metals at an AAA.

Company Highlights

• Location: Beverly Hills, California
• Services: gold IRA, silver IRA, physical gold and silver
• Available Metals: gold, silver
• BBB Rating: A+ Rating
• Fees: $180/year
• Investment Minimum: $50,000
• Promotion: Fees waives (depending on investment amount)

Why we chose Augusta: We chose Augusta Precious Metals for its outstanding customer support, solid reputation and strong business leadership.

Goldco – Best Pricing

Goldco was founded in 2011 and has since handed more than $1 billion in gold and silver investments. The company works with most major IRA custodians and supports gold and silver investments.

Goldco has one of the industry’s lowest account set-up fees, with a one-time account setup fee of just $50. Additionally, its storage fees start at just $100.

Company Highlights

• Location: Calabasas, California
• Services: gold IRA, silver IRA, physical gold and silver
• Available Metals: gold, silver
• BBB Rating: A+
• Fees: $175-$225/year
• Investment Minimum: $25,000
• Promotion: 5% off of a purchase of more than $50,000 more

Why we chose Goldco: We chose Goldco for its top-tier customer service, low fees and excellent buyback program.

Noble Gold Investments – Best for Beginners

Colin Plume founded Noble Gold Investments in 2016. The company is committed to ensuring that every investor understands every aspect of their investment. Noble Gold has an annual service fee of $80 and a $150 annual storage fee.

Noble Gold also offers an investment minimum that is low enough that you will not need to roll over another investment portfolio to open an account. If you want to invest in a gold IRA, but don’t have another account you can use for financing, Noble Gold is likely your best option.

Company Highlights

• Location: Encino, California
• Services: gold IRA, silver IRA, Royal Survival Packs, physical gold and silver
• Available Metals: gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rare coins
• BBB Rating: A+
• Fees: $225/year
• Investment Minimum: $2,000
• Promotion: Buyback of metals guarantee

Why we chose Noble Gold: The low investment minimum on their accounts, commitment to education and secure investment make Noble Gold a perfect choice for anyone new to gold IRAs.

Birch Gold Group – Best Fee Structure

Birch Gold Group is one of the largest precious metal dealers in the U.S. It was founded in 2003 and has nearly two decades of experience dealing with precious metals investments.

Birch Gold Group will cover your first year’s fees if you have an initial investment of more than $50,000. After that, you will pay an annual $100 storage fee and $80 management fee. Birch Gold Group has one of the lowest account opening fees of just $50.

Company Highlights

• Location: Burbank, California
• Services: gold IRA, silver IRA, physical gold and silver
• Available Metals: gold, silver, platinum, palladium
• BBB Rating: A+
• Fees: $180/year
• Investment Minimum: $10,000
• Promotion: First-year fees waived (for accounts with over $50,000)

Why we chose Birch Gold: Birch Gold Group allows for extra diversification because it offers gold, silver and platinum accounts. Additionally, it will waive its already below-average fees if you invest more than $50k.

American Hartford Gold – Best Customer Support

Since 2015, American Hartford Gold’s transparent pricing structure and low minimums have helped it serve thousands of investors across the U.S.

Leadership at American Hartford Gold is committed to fair pricing and quality service. The company has some of the lowest management fees in the industry and some of the highest-quality service.

American Hartford Gold also has a low minimum investment. This low minimum allows investors to open an account without rolling over from another investment account.

Company Highlights

• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Services: gold IRA, silver IRA, physical gold and silver
• Available Metals: gold, silver
• BBB Rating: A+
• Fees: $150/year
• Investment Minimum: $10,000
• Promotion: Receive up to $10,000 in free silver (with qualifying purchase)

Why we chose American Hartford Gold: American Hartford Gold has high-quality customer service. This, combined with its price match guarantee and buyback offer, demonstrates the company’s commitment to its values.

Advantage Gold – Best for First-time Buyers

Kirill Zagalsky and Adam Baratta worked at another gold investment company before leaving because they knew they could create a company that better-honored investors, so they left their previous organization to create Advantage Gold.

Advantage Gold provides customers with the information they need to make the right choices for their retirement portfolios. Advantage Gold offers customers extra flexibility by hosting investments in all four significant precious metal investments.

Company Highlights

• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Services: gold IRA, silver IRA, physical gold and silver
• Available Metals: gold, silver, platinum, palladium
• BBB Rating: A+
• Fees: $225/year
• Investment Minimum: $25,000
• Promotion: First-year fees are waived with a $50,000 purchase

Why we chose Advantage Gold: High-quality educational materials, various investment options and strong expertise make Advantage Gold one of the best options for beginners.

Oxford Gold Group – Best Customer Experience

Since 2017, Oxford Gold Group has committed to increasing the accessibility of precious metals investing. It knows that the wealthiest investors have historically been privy to the highest-quality investments, and the company is committed to changing this.

Oxford Gold Group has held to this claim. It has one of the lowest minimum investments of any gold IRA investment company. Scaling fees to investments makes for a high-quality customer experience with Oxford Gold Group.

The company also offers investments in all four primary precious metals, giving customers extra flexibility.

Company Highlights

• Location: Beverly Hills, California
• Services: gold IRA, silver IRA, physical gold and silver
• Available Metals: gold, silver, platinum, palladium
• BBB Rating: A+
• Fees: $175-$225/year
• Investment Minimum: $7,500
• Promotion: N/A

Why we chose Oxford Gold: Oxford Gold Group allows investors to look at their portfolios online. It also has a relatively low minimum investment and offers a diverse array of precious metal options.

Gold IRA Guide

Gold IRAs are a type of self-directed IRA that allow investors to diversify their retirement portfolio to include traded valuables, real estate, precious metals and more. These accounts are one of the only retirement account types that do not limit investors to paper assets.

Gold IRAs follow all the same rules of self-directed IRAs, but have a few additional different rules. These include:

• Strict storage requirements for valuables.
• The account must be separate from other stocks and assets, such as a Roth IRA investment.
• Only approves certain types of precious metals, collectibles and other valuables, such as American Eagle coins.
• Investors must purchase gold and other valuables through a custodian; customers cannot add gold they already own to a gold IRA.

Understanding Gold IRAs

When you’re considering investing in a gold IRA, there are some things that you should know before you commit to a company.

Scam awareness – Many false companies operate investment scams. It’s essential to look for a reputable business with positive third-party reviews. Watch out for investments that advertise an at-home or home-storage IRA.

Home storage of valuables for a gold IRA is illegal. Any company advertising this service is not one that you should trust.

New gold IRA investments – Gold IRAs follow the same rules as other self-directed IRAs. Self-directed IRA rules mean that there are investment limits each year. For 2022, this number is $6k if you are under 50 and $7k if you are 50 or older.

Many gold IRA accounts require significant minimum investments, far above this yearly maximum investment limit, before you will have to pay a tax penalty. This means that, in most cases, you must use a rollover from a regular IRA to open a gold IRA.

Fees and payments – Gold IRA investments have higher fees than traditional stock market investment options. These fees come from sourcing IRS-approved coins, paying for secure storage that complies with IRS regulations and account setups.

Gold IRA Fees & Costs

• Account setup fees: Account set-up fees are generally one-time fees that you pay when you initiate your account. These fees are usually in the range of $50-$150.
• Custodial fees: Custodial fees (also known as administrative fees) are usually annual fees. Typically, these fees range from $50-$150.
• Storage fees: Storage fees are charged by the depository holding your valuables. These fees are usually $50-$300 annually.
• Spot price markup: The spot price is the market price when you agree to the purchase, and the markup covers the costs associated with obtaining the valuables. For most gold IRAs, the spot price is about 10% of the gold’s value, though this can often fluctuate, particularly if you purchase in bulk.

Gold IRA Storage Options

Investors must store precious metal IRAs in an IRS-approved option. You cannot keep your gold in your home or a safety deposit box. The IRS approves many third-party options for gold and precious metal storage.

Here are some of the most commonly used storage options:

• Brinks Global Services: Brinks Global Services offers high-quality, secure logistics, making them a popular storage option for many gold IRA investors.
• Delaware Depository Service Company: The Delaware Depository is a precious metals custody expert with over two decades of experience protecting and maintaining gold investments.
• International Depository Services: International Depository Services is an IRS-approved storage option for precious metals in a gold IRA. The company has virtually every accreditation available to a depository and has storage available in the U.S. and Canada.
• HSBC Bank: HSBC has more than 150 years of experience in the precious metals market and is one of the most reliable storage options for gold IRA investing.

There are two types of approved storage options:

• Segregated storage: With segregated storage, the storage management company will ensure that you receive precisely what you put in. For example, if you place three gold bars in storage, you could mark those gold bars to ensure you receive those same bars back.
• Co-mingled storage: In co-mingled storage, you will receive the exact number of valuables you put in, but you may not receive the exact metals. You may receive another identical piece of investment when you cash out.

Before you invest in a gold IRA, make sure you know which storage option you or your investment company will use.

IRA Eligible Gold Bullion Coins & Bars

The IRA has strict requirements for what is eligible for a gold IRA. These are the most commonly used IRA-approved bullion and coins.

Gold

• Gold American Eagles Coins
• American Gold Buffalo Coins
• Austrian Gold Philharmonic Coins
• Australian Gold Kangaroo Coins
• Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Coins
• Chinese Panda Coins
• Gold Bars Coins

Silver

Silver bullion and coins must have a minimum fineness of 0.999 to qualify for an IRA investment. These are some of the most common choices:

• American Silver Eagle Coins
• Chinese Panda Silver Coins
• Silver Britannia Coins
• Canadian Maple Leaf Coins
• Silver bars from the Royal Canadian Mint

Platinum

Platinum bullion must have a minimum fineness of 0.9995 to qualify as a gold IRA investment. Some of the most common choices for platinum investments are:

• American Eagle Platinum Coins
• Australian Koala Platinum Coins
• Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf Coins
• Isle of Man Platinum Coins

Palladium

Palladium bullion must have a minimum fineness of 0.9995 to qualify as a gold IRA investment. Some of the most common ways to add palladium to a gold IRA are using:

• Suisse Palladium Bars
• Palladium Canadian Maple Leaf Coins
• American Eagle Palladium Coins

How to Pick The Right Precious Metals IRA Company

When it comes to your retirement investments and savings for your future, you must choose the safest, most reliable options for your money. Here are a few things you can do to ensure you’re selecting the best choice.

• A gold IRA company should have several years in service with many reviews and a high rating from consumer protection agencies.
• Avoid any gold IRA companies that advertise at-home storage of gold, as they are likely to be scams.
• Look for transparent pricing and fee structures. You should know exactly how much you will pay before you agree to any investment.
• Compare your chosen investment company with others. Look for competitive pricing options to make the most of your investment.

How to Open a Gold IRA Account

When you decide that you’re ready to open a gold IRA account, you should follow these steps to protect your investment:

1. Choose your preferred precious metals dealer: The top gold IRA companies from this list are all excellent options, but which one you decide to use will depend on your finances and preferences.
2. Check their eligibility requirements and investment minimums: Many gold IRA providers have investment minimums. You will need at least this investment minimum in another account to roll over and hit this minimum.
3. Request their free guide: Highly reputable gold IRA companies should have plenty of educational resources available.
4. Speak to an IRA specialist: An IRA specialist will give you financial advice to help ensure that you are using an approved depository, qualifying metals and maximizing tax benefits.
5. Decide how you are going to invest (i.e., 401(k), IRA, cash): If you want to invest more than the annual maximum, you will need to choose which of your qualifying retirement accounts you wish to use to purchase your new investment.
6. Begin rollover process or fund your account: Unless you use a cash investment below the IRS maximum contribution limit, you will need to use money from another retirement account to roll over into your gold IRA.
7. Purchase precious metals: You may buy gold, silver, platinum or palladium for your investment portfolio.
8. Complete the transaction or rollover process: Your chosen gold IRA custodian will guide you through the finalization of your purchase.
9. Watch your investments grow tax-free: Over the last five years (as of 2022), gold has increased in value by more than 35%, far outperforming the S&P 500.

Which Gold IRA Company is Best for You?

Diversifying your portfolio by investing in gold and other precious metals is an ideal option as these items are less susceptible to volatility and market fluctuations, which makes them a solid investment for retirement savings. They are reliable investments for uncertain futures.

Gold has a stable value that is likely to continue to rise in the future but has decreased in price in the last two years.

You should ensure you understand the purchasing and liquidation process before finalizing your investment. By choosing a reputable gold IRA company with good customer reviews, you can ensure that your investment will provide you with financial stability during retirement.

Gold IRA Companies FAQs

These are the most commonly asked questions about gold IRA investment companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to open a Precious Metal IRA

The best way to open an IRA for precious metals is by opening a self-directed Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

This type of account is superior to other types of IRAs in that you don’t pay any taxes on the interest earned from your investments, until you withdraw them.

People who are looking to save money and still need a tax break will find it attractive.

You do not have to only invest in gold and silver. You can invest anywhere you wish, as long as it is within the IRS guidelines.

Most people associate “precious” metal with gold or silver, but there are many different types of precious metals.

Some examples include palladium, platinum, rhodium, osmium, iridium, and ruthenium.

There are several ways you can invest in precious metals. The two most popular options include buying bullion coins and bars and purchasing shares of mining companies.

Bullion Coins & Bars

The easiest way to invest in precious materials is to buy bullion coins or bars. Bullion is a generic term that refers only to physical ounces in gold or silver.

Bullion bars and coins can be purchased to receive actual pieces.

While you may not immediately see any change after buying bullion coins and bars in a store, there will be some long-term benefits.

You will receive a tangible piece if history, for example. Each coin and bar is unique.

If you compare the nominal value to face value, you will often find that it is worth much less than its nominal. When it was first introduced in 1986, the American Eagle Silver Coin cost only $1.00 per troy ounce. Today, however, the American eagle’s price is closer to $40.00 per an ounce.

Bullion’s price has risen dramatically since its inception, so many investors would rather invest in bullion coins than futures.

Mining Companies

Another option for people who are interested in buying precious metals is to invest in shares of mining corporations. You are investing in the ability of mining companies to produce gold or silver.

You will get dividends based off the company’s profits in return. These dividends are then used to pay shareholders.

You will also benefit from the company’s growth potential. The company’s share prices should also increase as demand increases for the product.

Because these stocks fluctuate in price, it’s important to diversify your portfolio. This involves spreading your risk over multiple companies.

It is important to keep in mind that mining companies can lose their financial investments just as stock markets investors.

Your ownership stake could become worthless if the price of gold falls significantly.

The Bottom Line

Precious metals, such as silver and gold, can be a refuge during economic uncertainty.

Gold and silver can fluctuate in price. If you’re interested in making a long-term investment in precious metals, consider opening up a precious metals IRA account with a reputable firm.

You can enjoy tax benefits while still owning tangible assets.

How Much of your IRA Should Be Made up of Precious Metals

Protect yourself from inflation by investing in precious metallics like silver and gold. It’s not just a way to save money for retirement.

The prices of gold and silver have increased substantially over the past few decades, but they remain safe investments because they do not fluctuate as frequently as stocks. These materials are also in high demand.

The prices of gold and silver are generally predictable and stable. They are more stable when the economy is growing than they are during recessions. This makes them very valuable money-savers and long term investments.

You should invest 10 percent of your total portfolio into precious metals. If you want to diversify even further your portfolio, that percentage could rise.

What are the three types of IRAs?

There are three basic types of IRAs. There are three types of IRAs: Roth, Traditional, and SEP. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. We’ll go over each of them below.

Traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA)

A traditional IRA allows for you to contribute pretax money to an account, where you can defer tax on contributions made now and earn interest. Withdrawals from this account are exempted from tax once you have retired.

Roth IRA

Roth IRAs allow after-tax dollars to go into an account. Earnings are exempt from tax. If you withdraw funds for retirement, your withdrawals from the account are exempted of tax.

SEP IRA

This is similar in structure to a Roth IRA. However, employees will need to make additional contributions. These additional contributions can be taxed. However, any earnings are now tax-deferred. If you leave the company, you can convert the entire amount to a Roth IRA.

Are gold IRAs a good investment?

You should buy shares in companies that produce gold. To make money in investing in gold or other precious metals, such as silver, you should purchase shares in these companies.

Two drawbacks exist when you own shares directly.

If you hold on to your stock for too much time, you risk losing money. When stocks decline, they fall further than their underlying asset (like gold). You could lose your money, rather than make it.

Second, you could miss out on potential profit if you wait for the market to recover before you sell. Be patient and wait for the market’s recovery before you make any profits from your gold holdings.

If you prefer to keep your investments apart from your finances, physical gold is still an option. A gold IRA will help protect your portfolio from inflation and diversify it.

Visit our website to learn more about gold investment.

How much do gold IRA fees cost?

An individual retirement account’s average annual fee (IRA) costs $1,000. However, there are many different types of IRAs, such as traditional, Roth, SEP-IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs. Each type has its own set of rules and requirements. If the earnings are not tax-deferred you could be subject to taxes. Also, consider how long the money will be kept. If you have a long-term goal of holding on to your money, you’ll be able to save more money if you open a Traditional IRA.

You can contribute up to $5500 per year to a traditional IRA (or $6500 if you are 50 or older). A Roth IRA allows you to contribute unlimited amounts every year. The difference between them is simple: With a traditional IRA, you can withdraw the money after you retire without paying taxes. A Roth IRA will entail taxes for any withdrawals.

What are the best ways to choose an IRA.

Understanding your account type is the first step to finding the best IRA. This is regardless of whether you are looking to invest in a Roth IRA. Also, you should know how much money is available for investment.

The next step in determining the right provider for your situation is to decide. Some providers offer both accounts and others only specialize in one.

Finally, you should consider the fees associated with each option. Fees can vary greatly between providers, and may include annual maintenance charges and other fees. Some providers charge a monthly cost based on how many shares you own. Others charge only once per quarter.

Statistics

• Depending on your financial situation, most experts recommend you invest no more than 5% to 10% of your retirement funds in precious metals. (forbes.com)
• To qualify as IRA allowable precious metals and be accepted by STRATA, the following minimum fineness requirements must be met: Gold must be 99.5% pure, silver must be 99.9% pure, and platinum and palladium must both be 99.95% pure. (stratatrust.com)
• Silver must be 99.9% pure • (forbes.com)
• You can only purchase gold bars of at least 99.5% purity. (forbes.com)

External Links

kitco.com

• Live Gold Prices
  

regalassets.com

• Regal Assets America’s Premier Provider of Alternative Assets to Retirement Accounts
  

wsj.com

• Want to Keep Gold in Your IRA at Home? It’s Not Exactly Legal
  

investopedia.com

• What are Options? Types, Spreads, Example and Risk Metrics
  
• Definition: 1987 Stock Market Crash
  

How To

How to Open a Precious Metal IRA

Precious and precious metals are one the most sought-after investment vehicles. Because they offer higher returns than traditional investments such as stocks and bonds, they are very popular. However, precious metals investing requires careful planning and research. These are the first things you need to know if you’re looking to open a precious metal IRA.

There are two main types in precious metal accounts. These are physical precious metals and paper gold or silver certificates (GSCs). Each type of account has its own advantages and disadvantages. GSCs offer easy access and trade, while physical precious metals accounts provide diversification benefits. Continue reading to learn more about each of these options.

Physical precious Metals accounts consist of bullion, bullion, and bars. Although diversification benefits are great, this option has drawbacks. For instance, the costs associated with buying, storing, and selling precious physical metals are quite expensive. Their large size makes it difficult to transport them between locations.

However, silver and gold certificates made of paper are quite affordable. Additionally, they can be easily traded online and accessible. This makes them an ideal choice for those who don’t desire to invest in precious metallics. They aren’t as diversifiable as their physical counterparts. Additionally, they are backed by government agencies like U.S. Mint and could lose value if inflation rates rise.

If you open a precious metal IRA, choose the right account for your financial situation. Before doing so, consider the following factors:

1. Your tolerance level
2. Your preferred asset allocation strategy
3. What time do you have available to invest?
4. No matter if you intend to use the funds in short-term trading.
5. What type of tax treatment do YOU prefer?
6. Which precious metal would you like to place your money in?
7. How liquid should your portfolio be?
8. Your retirement age
9. Where to store precious metals
10. Your income level
11. Your current savings rate
12. Your future goals
13. Your net worth
14. Any special circumstances that may affect your decision
15. Your overall financial situation
16. You choose between paper and tangible assets
17. You are willing to take chances
18. Your ability to manage losses
19. Your budget constraints
20. Financial independence is what you want
21. Your investment experience
22. Precious metals are familiar to you
23. Your knowledge of precious metals
24. Your confidence and faith in the economy
25. Your personal preferences

Once you’ve chosen the right type of precious Metal IRA to suit your needs, it is time to open a dealer account. These dealers can be found via referrals, word-of-mouth, and online research.

After opening your precious metal IRA you will need to decide how big you want it to be. It’s important to note that each precious metal IRA account carries different minimum initial deposit amounts. Some accounts require $100 while others allow you to invest up $50,000.

As stated above, the amount of money invested in your precious metal IRA is completely up to you. You might choose to make a larger initial investment if your goal is to build wealth over the long-term. However, a smaller initial deposit might work for you if your goal is to invest less money each month.

There are many types of investments that can be purchased, as well as precious metals you can use in your IRA. These are the most popular:

• Bullion bars and rounds of gold, as well as coins
• Silver – Rounds & coins
• Platinum – Coins
• Palladium Round and Bar Forms
• Mercury – Round and bar forms

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By: Donny Gamble
Title: 7 Best Gold IRA Companies 2023 (Ranked by customer reviews)
Sourced From: retirementinvestments.com/precious-metals/gold-ira-companies/
Published Date: Mon, 02 Jan 2023 08:22:00 +0000