Can I store gold IRA metals at home?

No. The IRS requires all precious metals in an IRA to be stored at an IRS-approved depository. Home storage is classified as a taxable distribution, triggering income tax plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty if under age 59½.

What is the 60-day rollover rule?

The 60-day rule applies to indirect rollovers. If funds are sent to you rather than directly to the new custodian, you must redeposit 100% within 60 calendar days or face taxes and a 10% penalty. A direct trustee-to-trustee transfer avoids this rule entirely.

How much does a gold IRA cost per year?

Total annual costs range from $175 to $600, including custodian fees ($75-$300/year) and storage fees ($100-$300/year). First-year costs are higher due to one-time setup fees ($50-$80). Dealer premiums of 3-10% above spot price apply when purchasing metals.

What happens to my gold IRA at RMD age?

Traditional Gold IRA holders must begin Required Minimum Distributions at age 73 under SECURE Act 2.0. You can take cash distributions or in-kind distributions of physical metals. Roth Gold IRAs have no RMDs during the owner lifetime.

Should I convert my IRA to gold?

Converting makes the most sense if you are within 10-20 years of retirement, have at least $25,000 to roll over, and want inflation protection. Gold's near-zero correlation with equities (~0.05) reduces portfolio volatility. Consult a licensed financial advisor before converting.

How do I convert my IRA to gold without penalty?

Use a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer. Funds move directly between custodians — you never receive a check. This method has no time limits, no 20% withholding, and no 10% early withdrawal penalty regardless of your age.

Can Fidelity hold a gold IRA?

Fidelity offers gold mutual funds and ETFs but does not support physical gold in a self-directed IRA. To hold physical gold bars and coins in an IRA, you need a custodian specializing in self-directed precious metals IRAs, such as Equity Trust, Kingdom Trust, or Strata Trust.

What is the minimum investment for a gold IRA?

Minimums vary: Augusta Precious Metals requires $50,000; Goldco $25,000; American Hartford Gold $10,000; Birch Gold Group $10,000; Noble Gold $2,000. The IRS imposes no minimum. For accounts under $10,000, annual fee drag may be disproportionately high.

Affiliate Disclosure: This is an independent review site. We may earn referral fees from featured companies, which helps fund our research. This does not affect our editorial ratings or rankings. All evaluations are based on BBB rating, fee transparency, minimum investment requirements, buyback policies, and verified customer reviews.

Written by: Michael Torres, CFA — IRA Conversion Specialist | 15 years at fiduciary RIAs; 400+ gold IRA conversions totaling $180M+ in client assets. B.S. Finance, UT Austin | CFA Institute member | RITA member
Reviewed by: Sarah Chen, CPA, IRS Enrolled Agent — Fact-checked March 10, 2026

Last updated: March 12, 2026 • Sources: IRS Publication 590-B (2026) • IRC §408(m) • IRC §402(c) • World Gold Council 2024 Annual Report • SEC Investor Bulletin • FINRA Investor Alert • McNulty v. Commissioner, 157 T.C. No. 10 (2021)

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