How to Transfer Your IRA to a Gold IRA

Once you’ve decided to convert your existing IRA into a Gold IRA, it’s time to complete the process. No matter what kind of retirement accounts you have, transferring funds from one to another is a process. It requires attention to detail and prompt action because failing to do it correctly can cost you thousands of dollars. 

Advantage Gold has helped thousands of customers move to Gold IRA investing, including transferring funds between accounts.  

What Is an IRA Transfer? 

Let’s walk through the basics of how Gold IRAs work when transferring funds. When you fund your new IRA, you have two primary options: a rollover and a transfer. A Gold IRA rollover moves funds from one type of retirement savings plan, like a 401(k), to a different type of retirement savings plan—in this case, a Gold IRA. Compare that with a transfer, which moves funds from one type of plan to one in kind. 

IRA Rollovers 

A rollover is when you withdraw funds from one retirement account and deposit them into a new or existing IRA within 60 days. This usually happens when changing jobs or retiring. The main advantage of a rollover is that it allows you to avoid early withdrawal penalties and maintain the tax-advantaged status of your retirement savings.  

However, there are some important rules to remember. If you directly receive a distribution from your old retirement account, you must deposit it into your IRA within 60 days to avoid paying taxes on the distributed amount. Also, you can only do one rollover per year across all your IRAs. 

IRA Transfers 

On the other hand, a transfer is a direct movement of funds from one retirement account to another. In this case, the funds do not pass through your hands; instead, the financial institution holding your old account transfers the money directly to the institution holding your new IRA. 

Transfers are not subject to the same restrictions as rollovers. You are not limited to one transfer per year, and there is no 60-day rule because the money never leaves the tax-advantaged environment.  

Choosing between a rollover and a transfer depends on your circumstances and needs. It’s always a good idea to consult with a financial advisor or tax professional when making these decisions to ensure you understand all the rules and potential tax implications. 

How to Make a Gold IRA Transfer

When you work with Advantage Gold, we can help facilitate your Gold IRA transfer. But before you do that, you must apply for and open a Gold IRA. 

1. Open a Gold IRA 

Opening a Gold IRA or Silver IRA is a relatively simple process. You’ll need to complete a self-directed IRA application, which takes just minutes. First, you must decide what kind of IRA you want: traditional, simplified employee pension (SEP), or Roth. Each one has specific guidelines and tax benefits. Before you choose an IRA, speak with your financial advisor to find the best fit. 

2. Contact Your IRA Administrator 

With your new account open, it’s time to fund it. Contact your current or previous IRA administrator to request the transfer of funds and learn any requirements to have them moved. 

3. Fill Out Any Paperwork 

Transferring funds from one IRA to another always involves some form of paperwork. You’ll need to sign off on the transfers. In most cases, having the previous/current administrator transfer funds to your new Gold IRA administrator is best. This helps avoid complications, such as missing the 60-day rollover window and accidentally having those funds counted as withdrawals. 

4. Have Your Administrator Transfer Funds to Your Gold IRA 

When your administrator directly transfers funds to your Gold IRA, you don’t have to worry about tax penalties for early distributions if you forget to deposit the funds. As noted above, you also won’t need to concern yourself with the annual rollover limit.  

5. Select What Types of Precious Metals You Want in Your IRA 

Once your funds reach your account, you can select the gold or other precious metals you want for your investment. While many investors prefer to invest solely in gold coins and bullion, Advantage Gold allows you to purchase other precious metals such as silver, palladium, and platinum. 

6. Wait for Your Metals to Be Shipped to a Depository 

After you’ve made your selections, your purchased gold coins, bars, and other metals will be shipped to the depository. These assets will remain in this depository until you elect to sell them or convert them to a different type of IRA. 

Remember, you cannot physically possess the gold you purchase for a Gold IRA. It must remain in the hands of a trusted custodian until you take a distribution or move the assets out of your retirement account. 

Benefits of Transferring to a Gold IRA 

Transferring your retirement funds to a Gold IRA offers several benefits, many of which we’ve touched on elsewhere. They include: 

• A diversified investment portfolio beyond traditional stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. This helps safeguard against the volatility of conventional financial markets. 
• A hedge against inflation. Gold has historically been seen as a hedge against inflation; as the value of money decreases due to inflation, gold’s price tends to increase. This can protect the purchasing power of your retirement savings. 
• Tax advantages, including tax-deductible contributions and tax-deferred earnings prior to withdrawals. 

Disadvantages of Transferring to a Gold IRA 

Transferring funds from a traditional IRA to a Gold IRA has potential disadvantages. As an investor, you should be aware of them before making the switch. Possible drawbacks include, but aren’t limited to, the following: 

• Costs: Buying and storing physical gold can be expensive. You’ll need to pay for secure storage, insurance, and management fees, which you may not have anticipated. 
• Liquidity: While gold is considered a liquid asset, selling it quickly may not always be easy. Finding a buyer willing to pay the price you want could take time.  
• Volatility: Even though gold is insulated from many stock market fluctuations, the price of gold can be volatile at times. Dramatic price drops could affect your retirement savings. 
• Limited growth potential: Gold doesn’t offer dividends or interest. Its value only increases when the price of gold rises. It might not provide as much growth potential as other investments. 
• Regulatory risks: There are specific rules and regulations concerning Gold IRAs. Non-compliance can result in penalties and taxes. 

When you choose Advantage Gold to help facilitate your Gold IRA transfer, we do our best to minimize these disadvantages and additional costs. We’re also fully transparent throughout the process, so you won’t be surprised when the time comes to move your funds to your Gold IRA.

Are There Any Gold IRA Transfer Fees?

There are some fees associated with transferring your IRA to a Gold IRA. They can vary significantly depending on the custodian you choose, but some of the most common ones include the following: 

• Setup fees: One-time account setup fees can range from $50 to $150. This fee covers opening your new Gold IRA account. 
• Annual administrative or custodial fees: These annual fees cover the management and administrative work related to your Gold IRA. They can range from $50 to $150 yearly, or even more. 
• Storage fees: Gold IRAs require physical storage of the precious metals in a secure location. The cost for this is often calculated as a flat fee or percentage of your total account value. 
• Transaction fees: Some custodians may charge transaction fees whenever you buy or sell metals within your IRA. 
• Wire transfer fees: Custodians typically charge a fee of $25 or more for wire transfers. 

Ready to Make a Gold IRA Transfer? 

If having more control over your retirement investments excites you, Gold IRAs are a fantastic option. Whether you’re new to investing or wish to diversify your existing retirement portfolio, consider switching to a Gold IRA. The process is simple, and our team can help answer any questions or concerns. 

To learn more, download your free guide to Gold IRAs today.