$7,5002026 IRA contribution limit (under 50)
30%–300%Metals spreads the CFTC has seen charged to savers
$200–$285Reported annual gold IRA custody and storage fees
.995Minimum gold fineness for IRA bullion
Key takeaway: A gold IRA is a self-directed IRA that holds IRS-approved physical bullion stored by a third-party depository. The tax rules are the same as any IRA, but the costs are not: dealer markups can be large, and you also pay setup, storage and custodian fees. Federal regulators warn that precious-metals IRA sales are a common setting for high-pressure pitches aimed at retirees’ rollovers.
How we put this guide together: We reviewed IRS contribution limits, the Tax Court’s McNulty decision on home storage, consumer warnings from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and FINRA, and fee data published by third-party review sites. Figures were checked in October 2026. Dealer fees are often not published in full and change, so get every cost in writing. See our advertiser disclosure.

How a gold IRA works

Ordinary IRAs at brokerages hold stocks, bonds and funds. To own physical metal, you need a self-directed IRA with a custodian that allows it. Three parties are involved:

  1. Custodian: holds the account, handles IRS reporting and charges an annual fee.
  2. Dealer: sells the metal to your IRA, and usually offers to buy it back later. The dealer is often the company that advertised to you.
  3. Depository: an approved vault that stores the metal. The IRA owns it; you don’t take it home.

Most people fund a gold IRA by moving money from an existing IRA or old 401(k). A direct trustee-to-trustee transfer avoids tax withholding and the 60-day deadline that applies when a rollover check is paid to you. New contributions follow normal IRA limits: $7,500 for 2026, plus a $1,100 catch-up at age 50 or older. Traditional and Roth versions follow the same rules as any IRA; our Roth vs. traditional IRA guide explains the difference.

What the IRS allows

The tax code generally bans collectibles in IRAs, including “any stamp or coin.” An exception covers certain bullion and coins that meet purity standards:

MetalMinimum fineness
Gold.995 (American Gold Eagles are also allowed)
Silver.999
Platinum.9995
Palladium.9995

Source: IRA Financial summary of IRS rules (2026). Checked October 2026.

Rare or “numismatic” coins don’t qualify. Neither does keeping IRA metal at home. In McNulty (2021), the Tax Court ruled that an IRA owner who kept her IRA’s American Eagle coins at home had taken taxable distributions of $374,000 and $37,380, and it upheld penalties on top of the tax. Pitches for “home storage gold IRAs” invite exactly that result.

What it really costs

  • The spread. Dealers sell above the spot price and buy back below it. The CFTC says spreads on precious metals sold to retirement savers can range from 30% to 300% or more, and markups on numismatic coins of 40%–200% above spot. At a 30% markup, $50,000 buys only about $38,462 of metal at spot, so gold has to rise about 30% before you break even.
  • Account fees. Third-party reviews report setup fees of $0–$275 and annual custodian and storage fees of roughly $200–$285, with minimum purchases of $10,000 to $50,000 at well-known dealers.
  • Selling. Metal must be sold for cash before you can take a cash distribution or required minimum distribution, which involves the dealer and custodian.

We list published fees and minimums for named dealers in our gold IRA companies guide.

Is it the right tool?

Gold produces no interest or dividends; returns come only from price changes. Ask what you want it to do in your portfolio. If you want gold price exposure, a gold exchange-traded fund held in an ordinary IRA is generally cheaper to own and easier to sell than physical metal, according to ConsumerAffairs. A physical gold IRA mainly makes sense if you specifically want to own vaulted bullion and accept the added cost. Either way, the CFTC lists “putting all your retirement savings in precious metals is safe and secure” among the common lies in gold IRA sales. Diversified funds, like the index funds many retirement savers use, are a different kind of holding.

Common mistakes and red flags

  • Not asking for the buy-back price. The CFTC and FINRA suggest asking what price the dealer would pay to buy the metal back, and getting all fees, costs and commissions in writing before you sign.
  • Being sold numismatic or “premium” coins. They carry the highest markups.
  • Responding to fear and urgency. The CFTC warns of fear tactics, false urgency, claims the government can’t seize certain coins, “secret tax loopholes,” and sellers who appeal to shared political or religious views.
  • Assuming someone is watching the dealer. Retail metal dealers are not regulated at the federal level, and the CFTC notes self-directed IRA custodians may offer only limited protections.

Where to check before you buy

The CFTC suggests checking whether anyone giving you investment advice is registered with the SEC, FINRA or your state securities regulator. If you’re moving money out of a workplace plan, read our 401(k) guide first to see what you’d be giving up.

Guides in this section

Gold IRA Companies Compared: Fees, Minimums, Rules and Red FlagsNamed gold IRA dealers: published minimums, fees and buy-back termsRoth IRA vs. Traditional IRA: 2026 Limits, Tax Math and How to Choose2026 IRA limits, income rules and how to choose Roth or traditional401(k) Guide for 2026: Limits, Catch-Ups, Matching and Withdrawal Rules401(k) limits, matches and rollover rulesBest S&P 500 Index Funds: Costs, Tickers and How to ChooseLow-cost S&P 500 index funds and what they charge

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep gold from my IRA at home?

No. IRS rules require IRA bullion to be held by the trustee or an approved depository. In McNulty (2021), the Tax Court treated an owner's home-stored IRA coins as taxable distributions and upheld penalties.

What kinds of gold can go in an IRA?

Gold bullion of at least .995 fineness and certain coins such as American Gold Eagles. Rare or numismatic coins and other collectibles are not allowed. Silver, platinum and palladium have their own purity minimums.

How much does a gold IRA cost?

Third-party reviews report setup fees of $0 to $275 and annual custody and storage fees of about $200 to $285. The bigger cost is often the dealer's spread between its selling and buy-back prices, which the CFTC says can reach 30% to 300% in abusive cases.

Can I move my 401(k) into a gold IRA?

Often yes, if your plan permits it. A direct trustee-to-trustee transfer avoids withholding and the 60-day rollover deadline. Regulators warn that fraudsters often target these rollovers, so check fees and the buy-back price first.

Is a gold ETF the same as a gold IRA?

No. A gold ETF is a fund that tracks the gold price and can be held in an ordinary IRA at a brokerage. It is generally cheaper and easier to sell, but you don't own specific bars or coins.

Sources

Rates, fees and terms change often. Figures were checked in October 2026; confirm current details with the provider before you apply.