Gold IRA Guides
Plain-English gold IRA guides - how a gold IRA works, rollovers, what it really costs, the IRS rules and how to spot a scam. Prefer numbers? Try our gold IRA fee calculator.
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What Is a Gold IRA? How It Works, Pros, Cons & Costs (2026)
A plain-English guide to gold IRAs - how they work, who holds the metal, what you can buy, the real costs, the 2026 limits and the pros and cons.
Read articleHow to Roll Over a 401(k) to a Gold IRA: Step by Step
Step-by-step guide to moving a 401(k) into a gold IRA - direct vs 60-day rollovers, the 20% withholding trap, timing and the questions to ask first.
Read articleTSP to Gold IRA Rollover: A Guide for Federal Employees
How federal employees and retirees can move Thrift Savings Plan money into a gold IRA - eligibility, direct vs indirect rollovers and what to watch for.
Read articleGold IRA Fees Explained: Setup, Storage, Markups & Spreads
Every gold IRA cost explained - setup, custodian and storage fees, dealer markups and buyback spreads - with real ranges and the questions to ask.
Read articleIRS-Approved Gold and Silver for an IRA: What Qualifies
Which gold, silver, platinum and palladium coins and bars can go in an IRA - the IRC 408(m) rules, purity standards and the coins that do not qualify.
Read articleCan You Store Gold IRA Metals at Home? (Short Answer: No)
Why IRA gold cannot be kept at home or in your own safe deposit box, what happened in McNulty v. Commissioner, and the legal ways to hold metal.
Read articleGold IRA Scams: 9 Red Flags and Real Cases to Learn From
How gold IRA scams work, 9 warning signs to watch for, and what regulators alleged in the Red Rock Secured, Safeguard Metals, Lear Capital and Goldline cases.
Read articleGold IRA Taxes and RMDs: What Retirees Need to Know
How a gold IRA is taxed, how required minimum distributions work with physical metal, and the rollover and storage mistakes that can trigger a tax bill.
Read articleRoth Gold IRA vs Traditional Gold IRA: Which Is Better?
How a Roth gold IRA differs from a traditional gold IRA on taxes, RMDs and conversions - and the questions to ask before choosing one for your metals.
Read articleGold IRA vs Gold ETF vs Physical Gold: Which Fits Your Retirement?
Compare three ways to own gold for retirement - a gold IRA, a gold ETF and coins you hold yourself - on cost, control, taxes, convenience and risk.
Read articleHow Much of Your Retirement Should Be in Gold?
What commentators commonly say about how much gold to hold in retirement, the factors that change the answer, and why gold is no sure thing.
Read articleSilver IRA Guide: Rules, Costs and Top Companies
How a silver IRA works: which silver coins and bars qualify, what storage and fees cost, the risks to know and companies that offer silver IRAs.
Read articleHead-to-Head Comparisons
Can't decide between two companies? See how they stack up side by side on minimums, fees, buyback terms and track record - and which one we'd pick.
American Hartford Gold vs Goldco
A $10,000 entry point vs a long-running brand with a bonus-silver offer
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold
A high-touch service for big accounts vs a $10,000 entry point
Augusta Precious Metals vs Goldco
The education-first specialist vs the long-running bonus-silver brand
American Hartford Gold vs American Gold and Silver Group
Similar guarantees - one with a public track record
Goldco vs American Gold and Silver Group
An established brand vs a newer name with a refund guarantee
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Gold and Silver Group
Education and personal service vs free silver and a refund window