Education Center · 31 Guides
Learn About Gold IRAs
Plain-English guides to help you understand gold IRAs, rollovers, fees, and IRS rules — so you can make confident decisions about your retirement.
Before You Call Anyone
1 guideGold IRA Basics
9 guides- What Is a Gold IRA?A gold IRA is actually a self-directed IRA — and understanding that distinction changes everything. Learn how it works, what you can hold inside one, and why it matters for your retirement.5 min read
- How to Roll Over a 401(k) to a Gold IRADone correctly, you pay zero taxes and zero penalties. Here's the plain-English version of exactly how a 401(k) rollover to a gold IRA works — step by step.6 min read
- Gold IRA Fees ExplainedGold IRAs cost more than a regular brokerage IRA — but the fees are predictable. Here's exactly what you'll pay in setup, custodian, and storage fees, and how to compare dealers before you commit.6 min read
- How to Choose a Gold IRA CustodianMost investors focus entirely on picking a dealer. The custodian is just as important — and most people never think to ask about it. Here's what a custodian does, what to look for, and the questions to ask before you commit.7 min read
- What Is a Gold IRA Custodian Fee?The custodian fee is just one piece of your total cost. Here is a complete breakdown of every fee you will pay — setup, storage, transactions, wire transfers — what is reasonable, and how to avoid overpaying.7 min read
- Gold IRA Pros and Cons — An Honest BreakdownIs a gold IRA right for you? Here are the real advantages and real drawbacks — no hype, no fear-mongering — so you can decide whether physical gold belongs in your retirement plan.8 min read
- How to Open a Gold IRA — Step-by-Step GuideOpening a gold IRA is easier than most people think. Here is the step-by-step process — from choosing a dealer to selecting your metals — explained in plain English.8 min read
- Self-Directed IRA: What You Can Hold (Beyond Gold)Your gold IRA is actually a self-directed IRA — and that opens up a whole world of alternative assets beyond precious metals. Here is what the IRS allows, what is prohibited, and how custodians make it work.9 min read
- Gold IRA for Beginners: A Plain-English GuideNever opened a gold IRA before? Start here. A friendly, no-jargon walkthrough of what a gold IRA is, how the pieces fit together, and the steps to open one without getting overwhelmed.7 min read
Retirement Planning
3 guides- Gold IRA vs. 401(k): Which Is Right for You?A 401(k) grows in dollars. A gold IRA grows in physical metal. Here is a plain-English comparison of both — what they cost, how they work, and which combination belongs in your retirement plan.7 min read
- How to Roll Over a 403(b) to a Gold IRATeachers, nurses, and nonprofit workers: your 403(b) can roll into a gold IRA tax-free when done correctly. Here is the step-by-step process and the mistakes that trigger taxes.7 min read
- Gold IRA for Seniors: What Retirees Need to KnowAlready retired or close to it? A gold IRA works differently when you are near or past retirement age. Here is what matters most for seniors — timing, RMDs, and protecting what you have built.7 min read
Rankings & Reviews
4 guides- Best Gold IRA Companies — Ranked & Reviewed (2026)We researched every major gold IRA company and ranked the top five based on BBB ratings, fees, minimums, and real customer feedback. Here are our picks — and the companies we disqualified.8 min read
- Birch Gold vs. Noble GoldTwo well-known gold IRA companies, side by side. We compare Birch Gold and Noble Gold on fees, minimums, ratings, and reputation so you can see which fits your situation.7 min read
- Monetary Gold vs. Noble GoldA head-to-head comparison of Monetary Gold and Noble Gold — pricing, minimums, customer ratings, and the trade-offs that separate them — to help you choose with confidence.7 min read
- Noble Gold vs. Augusta Precious MetalsAugusta and Noble Gold both rank near the top of the industry. Here is how they compare on fees, minimums, education, and reputation — and which type of investor each one suits best.7 min read
IRS Rules & Regulations
5 guides- Gold IRA Rules & IRS Regulations (2026)The IRS has strict rules for gold IRAs — eligible metals, storage requirements, contribution limits, RMDs, and prohibited transactions. Here's what you need to know before you invest.7 min read
- Gold IRA Tax Benefits Explained (2026)How are gold IRAs taxed? The tax advantages of traditional and Roth gold IRAs, how rollovers work tax-free, and what the IRS requires — explained in plain English.8 min read
- Gold IRA Contribution Limits 2026The 2026 gold IRA contribution limit is $7,000 per year ($8,000 if you are 50 or older). But rollovers have no limit at all. Here is everything you need to know.7 min read
- IRA-Approved Gold Coins & BarsNot every gold coin or bar qualifies for an IRA. Here is exactly which products meet the IRS purity and minting rules — and the popular ones that surprisingly do not make the cut.7 min read
- Gold IRA RMD & Withdrawal RulesWhen and how do you take money out of a gold IRA? A clear look at required minimum distributions, in-kind vs. cash withdrawals, and the rules that keep your distributions penalty-free.7 min read
Investor Protection
2 guides- Gold IRA Scams to AvoidThe gold IRA industry has its share of bad actors. Here are the most common scams, red flags to watch for, and the four companies we have already disqualified so you don't have to.6 min read
- Top Gold IRA Scams of 2026Scammers adapt. From AI-generated fake reviews to phantom dealer websites and crypto-gold hybrids, these are the newest tactics targeting retirement investors this year — and how to protect yourself.8 min read
The Big Picture
2 guides- Gold vs. Dollar: A History of Sound MoneyThe US dollar has lost over 97% of its purchasing power since 1913. Gold has been money for 5,000 years. Here's the plain-English story of what happened — and why it matters for your retirement.8 min read
- Best Time to Buy Gold for an IRAIs there a "right" time to buy gold for your IRA? A grounded look at timing, dollar-cost averaging, and why waiting for the perfect price usually costs more than it saves.6 min read
Precious Metals IRAs
1 guideEstate Planning
1 guideGold IRA Research
1 guideCompany Comparisons
2 guides- Augusta Precious Metals vs Monetary GoldTwo of the best gold IRA companies in 2026 — one charges half the fees, the other offers a white-glove experience. Here is an honest side-by-side comparison to help you decide.8 min read
- Augusta Precious Metals vs Birch Gold GroupAugusta's $50K minimum vs Birch's $10K. Augusta's gold-and-silver vs Birch's all-four metals. Augusta's zero-fees-for-10-years vs Birch's longer track record. Honest side-by-side.9 min read
Ready to compare?
Put gold IRA companies side by side.
Once you understand the basics, compare gold IRA companies on fees, ratings, and reputation.