We help you make better decisions about your pension money.
Bedrock Report is one place for everything gold and silver in your retirement: how a Gold IRA works, how rollovers work, what it costs, and what to ask before you choose a company.
Plain-English answers. No pressure. Your decision.
Gold and silver in your retirement, start to finish
Whether you're just curious or ready to move an old 401(k), these are the topics that matter most.
Gold IRA basics
What a Gold IRA is, who is involved, and how it differs from the IRA you may already have.
Read moreSilver and other metals
Gold vs silver, coins vs bars, and which metals can go into a retirement account.
Read more401(k) and pension rollovers
How to move retirement money into metals without triggering avoidable taxes.
Read moreStorage and custodians
Where IRA metals are held, and the difference between segregated and pooled storage.
Read moreFees and costs
Setup, storage, and custodian fees, plus the dealer spread most people overlook.
Read moreChoosing a company
The questions to ask any precious metals company before you sign anything.
Read moreHow a Gold IRA comes together
The process has a few moving parts. Here is the usual order of things.
Open a self-directed IRA
You open the account with a custodian that allows physical precious metals.
Fund the account
Money usually comes from a transfer or rollover from an existing IRA or 401(k).
Choose your metals
You pick IRA-eligible gold, silver, platinum, or palladium through a dealer.
Metals go to storage
The metals ship straight to a qualified depository and are held in your account.
Why people look at metals, and what to keep in mind
Gold and silver can play a role in a retirement plan. They also come with tradeoffs, and it's worth seeing both before you decide.
Why people consider it
- Diversify beyond stocks and bonds
- Own a physical, tangible asset
- Keep the tax benefits of an IRA
What to keep in mind
- Prices can go down as well as up
- Metals pay no interest or dividends
- Storage and account fees add up
Questions worth asking any precious metals company
A good company will answer all of these clearly and in writing. If you feel rushed, that's your sign to slow down.
- What are all of the fees, in writing, for year one and after?
- What is your markup over the spot price on what you recommend?
- Which custodian and which depository will hold my metals?
- Is storage segregated or pooled, and what does each cost?
- Are the products you recommend IRA-eligible?
- How does it work if I want to sell my metals later?
- What will you pay me if I sell back to you, and how is it priced?
- Can I take my time and compare before I decide?
How Bedrock Report works
We're an independent educational and referral platform. We explain how Gold IRAs and rollovers work, answer general questions by email, and may connect you with independent precious metals companies. We may be paid when that happens. We don't sell metals, hold accounts, or give investment advice. Learn more about us.
Quick answers
Can I hold physical gold in my IRA?
Yes, through a self-directed IRA with a custodian that allows precious metals. The metals have to meet minimum purity standards and are held by a qualified depository, not at home.
Can I keep my IRA gold at home?
Generally, no. IRA metals are held by a qualified depository arranged through your custodian. Be careful with any pitch for a home storage setup, because it can create tax problems.
Can I move my 401(k) into a Gold IRA?
Often, yes, especially from a former employer's plan. A plan with your current employer may only allow it in certain cases, so check your plan's rules first.
Does a rollover mean I pay taxes?
A direct transfer or direct rollover done correctly is generally not a taxable event. Indirect rollovers come with a 60-day deadline and withholding rules, so talk with a tax advisor before you move money.
Should I put all of my retirement money into gold?
We don't tell anyone what to buy. Many people treat metals as one part of a diversified plan rather than the whole plan. A licensed financial professional can help you decide what fits.