Goldco vs. Augusta Precious Metals: Which is Better?

When it comes to choosing the best gold IRA company, two names often come up: Goldco and Augusta Precious Metals. Both companies are well-known in the industry and offer valuable services for investors looking to protect their retirement accounts. However, there are some key differences between the two that may sway your decision. In this article, we will compare Goldco and Augusta Precious Metals to help you determine which is the better option for you.

About Goldco

Goldco was founded in 2006 by Trevor Gerszt. The company was created with the goal of empowering Americans to safeguard their wealth and retirement savings from market volatility and crashes, such as the one experienced in 2008.

Goldco Services

Goldco offers three primary investment options for its customers: silver IRAs, gold IRAs, and the direct purchase of silver and gold. With a minimum investment requirement of $25,000, Goldco provides a more accessible entry point for investors compared to Augusta Precious Metals. The company charges an $80 annual maintenance fee and an $80 one-time account setup fee. Goldco also offers storage options through the Delaware Depository, with fees ranging from $100 to $150 per year.

It's important to note that these fees do not include custodial fees, as per IRS guidelines. Investors must have a custodian to manage their accounts, and additional fees may apply. Goldco stands out with its reputable buy-back program, which makes it easier for investors to sell their precious metals when needed.

About Augusta Precious Metals

Augusta Precious Metals was founded in 2012 by Isaac Nuriani. The company aims to provide Americans with a means to protect their investments from the unpredictable nature of the stock market.

Augusta Precious Metals Services

Similar to Goldco, Augusta Precious Metals offers three main services: gold IRAs, silver IRAs, and direct purchases of gold and silver. However, Augusta Precious Metals has a higher minimum investment requirement of $50,000, which may deter some potential investors. The company charges a $100 annual maintenance fee and a $50 account setup fee. Like Goldco, Augusta Precious Metals uses the Delaware Depository for storage, with the same fee options as Goldco.

As with Goldco, the account maintenance and storage fees from Augusta Precious Metals do not include custodial fees. Augusta Precious Metals also has a reliable buy-back program, although it does not offer the same highest price guarantee as Goldco.

Augusta Precious Metals vs. Goldco: How do they compare?

Both Augusta Precious Metals and Goldco are reputable options for individuals interested in a gold IRA account. They share similarities in terms of their depository storage provider and commitment to excellent customer service. However, there are some notable differences. Let's take a closer look at how they compare.

Third-Party Review Websites

Both Augusta Precious Metals and Goldco have received high ratings from trusted review sources. They have A+ ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), AAA ratings from the Business Consumer Alliance, and five-star ratings from Trustlink. Augusta Precious Metals has a slightly higher rating of 4.9 on Consumer Affairs, while Goldco has a rating of 4.8.

Metals Options

Both companies offer a wide range of metal options at competitive rates. However, it's important to note that neither company offers palladium or platinum retirement investments. Customers can purchase IRS-approved silver coins, IRS-approved gold coins, and bullion that meets IRS fineness requirements. Augusta Precious Metals stands out by offering a mix-metals account, which allows investors to open a precious metals IRA that includes both silver and gold. In contrast, Goldco only offers separate gold and silver IRA accounts.

Customer Service

Both Goldco and Augusta Precious Metals prioritize customer support and education. Augusta Precious Metals goes a step further by offering lifetime support to its customers. This means that customers can seek advice and guidance from the company's specialists even after opening their accounts. Additionally, new investors have the opportunity to schedule one-on-one web conferences with Augusta Precious Metals experts to have all their questions answered. While Goldco also offers high-quality customer service, it does not provide lifetime support. Instead, it focuses on a robust buy-back program to assist its customers.

Which Gold IRA Company Should I Choose?

Deciding between Goldco and Augusta Precious Metals ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:

Choose Goldco if:

Your investment is less than $50,000.
You prefer lower annual fees.
You value access to Goldco's industry-leading buy-back program.

Choose Augusta Precious Metals if:

You can meet the minimum investment requirement of $50,000.
You want access to high-quality lifetime account support.
You're interested in opening a precious metals IRA that includes both gold and silver.

Both Goldco and Augusta Precious Metals are well-established companies with strong reputations in the industry. By considering your investment goals and preferences, you can make an informed decision on which company is the better choice for your gold IRA needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are precious metal IRAs a smart investment?

How much risk you are willing to take for an IRA account's value loss will determine the answer. You can use them if your cash balance is $10,000, as long you don't expect it to grow quickly. These may not be the best option if you are looking to save for retirement over many decades and invest in assets that will increase in value (e.g. gold). These fees can reduce any gains.

What are the different types of IRA?

There are three basic types of IRAs. Each type has its advantages and limitations. Each of these types will be described below.

Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

A traditional IRA allows pre-tax money to be contributed to an account. This allows you to earn interest and defer taxes. When you retire, your withdrawals are not subject to tax.

Roth IRA

Roth IRAs allow after-tax dollars to go into an account. Earnings are exempt from tax. Withdrawals from the account are also tax-free when you withdraw funds for retirement purposes.

SEP IRA

This is similar to a Roth IRA, except that it requires employees to make additional contributions. The additional contributions are taxed but earnings remain tax-deferred. The entire amount can be converted to a Roth IRA if you are leaving the company.

Are you able to keep precious metals in your IRA?

This depends on the IRA's owner's desire to diversify or keep his holdings in silver and gold.

He can choose to diversify if he so desires. He could either buy bars of physical gold and/or sterling from a dealer or simply sell these items back at the end. However, suppose he isn't interested in selling back his precious metal investments. He could keep the precious metals as long as he wants to.

Statistics

If you accidentally make an improper transaction, the IRS will disallow it and count it as a withdrawal so that you would owe income tax on the item's value and, if you are younger than 59 ½, an additional 10% early withdrawal penalty. (forbes.com)
Silver must be 99.9% pure • (forbes.com)
The maximum yearly contribution to an individual's IRAs is currently $6,000 ($7,000 for those 50 years or older), or 100% of earned income, whichever is less. (monex.com)
SEP-IRA”Simplified employee pension” For self-employed people like independent contractors, freelancers, and small-business ownersSame tax rules as traditional IRASEP IRA contributions in 2022 are limited to 25% of compensation or $66,000, whichever is less4. (sltrib.com)

External Links

How To

Precious Metals Approved by the IRA

IRA-approved precious metallics are great investments, whether you want to save for retirement and invest in your next venture. Diversifying your portfolio can protect you from inflation with a variety of options, including silver coins and gold bars.

There are two types of precious metal investment products. Physical bullion products such as bars and coins are considered physical assets because they exist in tangible form. ETFs, on the other hand are financial instruments that track price movements of an underlying asset such as gold. ETFs trade like stocks on stock exchanges, which means investors can buy shares of them directly from the company issuing them.

There are many kinds of precious metals you can buy. While gold and silver are used in jewelry making and decoration, platinum and palladium are most commonly associated with luxury products. Palladium tends to hold its value better than platinum, which makes it ideal for industrial uses. Silver is also useful for industrial purposes, although it is usually preferred for decorative applications.

Because of the costs involved in mining and refining raw material, physical bullion products can be more costly. These products are generally safer and more secure than paper currencies. For example, consumers may lose confidence in the currency and look for alternatives when the U.S. dollar loses purchasing power. In contrast, physical bullion products do not rely on trust between countries or companies. They are backed instead by central banks or governments, providing customers with peace of mind.

Demand and supply affect gold prices. Demand rises, and the price goes up. On the other hand, supply falls when demand exceeds demand. Investors have the opportunity to profit by fluctuations in gold's price. Investors who own physical bullion products benefit from these fluctuations because they receive a higher return on their money.

Unlike traditional investments, precious metals cannot be affected by economic recessions or interest rate changes. As long demand is strong, gold prices will continue to climb. Precious metals are safe havens in times of uncertainty because of this.

The most widely used precious metals include:

Gold – This is the oldest kind of precious metal. It is often called “yellow gold”. While gold is a well-known element, it is very rare to find underground. Most of the gold reserves in the world are located in South Africa.
Silver – After gold, silver is the second most precious precious metal. Silver, like gold, is extracted from natural deposits. However, silver is more commonly extracted from ore than from rock formations. Because of its durability and malleability, as well as resistance to tarnishing, silver is widely used in commerce and industry. The United States produces over 98% of all global silver production.
Platinum – Platinum is the third most valuable precious metal. It can be used for industrial purposes, such as in fuel cells and catalytic converters. In dentistry, platinum is used to make bridges, crowns, and fillings.
Palladium: Palladium is the 4th most valuable precious metallic. Due to its strength and stability, it is quickly gaining popularity among manufacturers. You can also use palladium in electronics, automotives, and military technology.
Rhodium: Rhodium ranks fifth in the most valuable precious metals. Rhodium is an extremely rare metal. However, its use for automotive catalysts makes it highly desirable.
Ruthenium – Ruthenium is the sixth most valuable precious metal. There are limited quantities of platinum and palladium. However, ruthenium is abundant. It is used for steel manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, and aircraft engines.
Iridium – Iridium is the seventh-most valuable precious metal. Iridium is a key component in satellite technology. It is used in the construction of orbiting satellites that transmit TV signals and telephone calls.
Osmium – Osmium is the eighth most valuable precious metal. Osmium has a high resistance to extreme temperatures, which is why it is used frequently in nuclear reactors. It is also used in cutting tools, jewelry, and medicine.
Rhenium – Rhenium is the ninth most valuable precious metal. Rhenium is used for refining oil, gas, semiconductors, rocketry, and other purposes.
Iodine — Iodine has the highest value of all precious metals. Iodine's uses include radiography, photography and pharmaceuticals.

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By: Donny Gamble
Title: Goldco vs. Augusta Precious Metals: Which is Better?
Sourced From: retirementinvestments.com/investing/goldco-vs-augusta/
Published Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2023 15:03:41 +0000