Education Center
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.
Published 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.
Read the guide →How to Roll Over a 401(k) to a Gold IRA
Done 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.
Read the guide →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.
Read the guide →Gold IRA Fees Explained
Gold 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.
Read the guide →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.
Read the guide →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.
Read the guide →Gold IRA Scams to Avoid
The 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.
Read the guide →Gold vs. Dollar: A History of Sound Money
The 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.
Read the guide →How to Choose a Gold IRA Custodian
Most 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.
Read the guide →Silver IRA vs. Gold IRA: What's the Difference?
Silver and gold are both IRS-approved for retirement accounts — but they behave very differently. Here is a plain-English comparison of both metals to help you decide which belongs in your retirement plan.
Read the guide →What Happens to a Gold IRA When You Die?
Your gold IRA does not disappear when you die — but what happens next depends entirely on whether you named a beneficiary and who that is. Here is what you need to know to protect your heirs.
Read the guide →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.
Read the guide →Top Gold IRA Scams of 2026
Scammers 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.
Read the guide →Gold IRA Pros and Cons — An Honest Breakdown
Is 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.
Read the guide →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.
Read the guide →Is a Gold IRA Worth It?
The real costs, the real benefits, and the questions you should be asking — so you can have an informed conversation with your financial advisor.
Read the guide →How to Open a Gold IRA — Step-by-Step Guide
Opening 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.
Read the guide →Gold IRA Contribution Limits 2026
The 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.
Read the guide →Augusta Precious Metals vs Monetary Gold
Two 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.
Read the guide →Augusta Precious Metals vs Birch Gold Group
Augusta'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.
Read the guide →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.
Read the guide →Ready to compare dealers?
Once you understand the basics, compare gold IRA companies on fees, ratings, and reputation.