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Gold is a safe haven for many people. They buy gold as it continues to rise in price and value. Historically, it has been the ultimate way to hedge against inflation; however, this asset is not without risks.
Gold is a tangible, almost indestructible asset with inherent use as a currency, and it does not need to be mined, stored or refined. Once you own gold, you can spend or store it.
The only thing you need to do to get gold is taking possession of it from the original owner and pay the shipping fee. You will have to wait a while because no one can make gold overnight.
Should I Invest in Gold?
Gold is a good retirement security plan because it is an allocated asset that can be passed down to your heirs, and the income it generates can cover living expenses. In other words, you buy gold that you would sell when you need cash. The inherent value of gold makes it a good investment tool for managing your risk exposure to the stock market and inflation.
Gold is a good savings method because it has limited supply and demand; there are only so many ounces of gold available today. It has a limited supply, but there is always demand for what we call "sweet yellow metal." Gold prices should continue to rise as the world consumes more of it for jewelry, medical, dental, industrial and cultured purposes.
Buying gold can be a part of a diversified retirement plan, but it is important to consider a range of factors before deciding if it is a good fit for you. Here are some things to consider:
Gold can help diversify your retirement portfolio because its price is not directly tied to the stock market or other financial assets. This means it can provide a hedge against market fluctuations. However, it is important to remember that gold is not a risk-free investment, and its value can still fluctuate.
Gold can be difficult to sell quickly, especially if you need to sell a large amount. It may be harder to find a buyer for gold than for more liquid assets such as stocks or bonds.
If you buy physical gold, you will need to pay for storage and insurance to protect it, and these costs can add up over time and eat into your investment returns.
The price of gold has fluctuated significantly over time and is not a reliable source of steady income. Its value is largely based on supply and demand, and it does not generate earnings like stocks or bonds.
It is a good idea to have a diversified retirement portfolio that includes a mix of different types of investments, such as stocks, bonds, and cash. When allocating your retirement savings, you should also consider your financial situation, investment goals, and risk tolerance. It is always a good idea to consult a financial advisor or professional before making investment decisions.
Ways to Invest in Gold for Retirement
There are several ways to invest in gold as part of a retirement portfolio.
You can invest in physical gold by buying gold coins or bars and storing them in a safe location, such as a safe deposit box or home safe. The advantage of this approach is that you have direct ownership of the gold and can sell it easily. However, storing and transporting physical gold can be inconvenient and may also be subject to theft.
A gold exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a type of investment vehicle that tracks the price of gold and allows you to buy and sell shares in the fund. Gold ETFs are traded on stock exchanges and can be easily bought and sold like other stocks. The advantage of gold ETFs is that they are easy to buy and sell and offer a convenient way to invest in gold without the need to store and insure physical gold.
Another method is the use of Gold mutual funds. A gold mutual fund is a type of investment that invests in gold mining companies or other companies with significant exposure to the gold market. Gold mutual funds offer the opportunity to invest in gold indirectly through a diversified portfolio of companies. Still, they may also carry additional risks associated with the performance of individual companies.
Another way to invest in gold is to buy stocks from gold mining companies. These companies explore for, extract, and produce gold, and the price of gold and other factors such as operational efficiency and management effectiveness may influence their stock prices. Gold mining stocks may offer the potential for higher returns, but they also carry additional risks and may not perform as well as the price of gold itself.
It's important to consider your investment objectives, risk tolerance, and financial situation before deciding how to invest in gold. Consider consulting a financial advisor or professional before making investment decisions.
Choosing a Custodian for Your Gold IRA
When choosing a custodian for your gold IRA, you must do your due diligence and consider several factors. You need to look for a custodian with a solid reputation and a track record of experience handling gold IRAs.
You also need to consider the fees charged by the custodian, including setup fees, annual fees, and transaction fees. Gold storage and protection are also important. Some custodians offer secure storage facilities, while others allow you to store the gold in a third-party depository.
The setup process for setting up and managing the account is also essential. This includes how you can make contributions, withdrawals, and other transactions. You will also need a custodian with good customer service and a willingness to answer questions and provide assistance.
To get the best deal, compare multiple custodians and read reviews before deciding. Choosing a custodian you trust and feel comfortable working with is important.
Top 3 Gold IRA Companies
After considering all the mentioned factors, this article recommends investing in the top three gold IRA companies.
#1. Goldco
Goldco is a precious metals company that sells gold, silver, and other precious metals. The company offers a range of products and services, including gold and silver coins, bars, and rounds, as well as storage solutions such as gold IRAs (individual retirement accounts).
Goldco is one of the largest and most respected precious metals companies in the United States, with over a decade of experience in the industry. It is headquartered in Woodland Hills, California and serves customers throughout the country.
Goldco sells a variety of gold, silver, and other precious metals products such as coins, bars, and rounds, as well as other investment options such as precious metal mining stocks. The company offers gold IRAs, which allow individuals to invest in gold and other precious metals as part of their retirement savings. These accounts are self-directed, meaning that the investor controls the investments in the account.
Clients benefit from secure storage solutions for precious metals, including storage in secure vaults. They are also provided with educational resources on the company website, and the customer service team helps them understand the precious metals market and make informed investment decisions.
For customers who want a physical address for their gold and other precious metals, Goldco offers an approved storage facility based in Phoenix, Arizona. The facility is secure and ensures that metals are insured and well-protected.
Goldco also provides free shipping to its storage facility, making it very convenient for clients to have their precious metals shipped and stored securely.
Goldco's gold IRA is one of the most popular options available through precious metals companies. It allows investors to diversify their portfolio with a hard asset that can be passed on to family members or friends in the event of death or retirement.
Pros & Cons of Goldco
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Augusta Precious Metals is a company that buys and sells precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. The company offers a range of products and services, including purchasing gold and silver coins and bars, storing precious metals in secure, third-party vaults, and selling precious metal products to investors and collectors.
Augusta Precious Metals also offers precious metal IRAs (individual retirement accounts), which allow investors to purchase gold and silver as a type of retirement savings.
Augusta Precious Metals owns and operates its precious metals vault, the Smoky Mountain Depository. The vault is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and is one of only a few self-owned vaults in the United States.
The company is accredited by the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) and certified by the Better Business Bureau. Augusta Precious Metals complies with industry regulations to ensure investors have full transparency in the process. Augusta Precious Metals is a member of the Precious Metals Dealers Association.
The company has been in business for over seven years and has earned a reputation as a trusted provider of precious metals, bullion products, and services. It serves clients throughout the country, including individuals, institutions, corporations, and government entities.
Pros & Cons of Augusta Precious Metals
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Cons
American Hartford Gold is a precious metals dealer based in Los Angeles, California. The company buys and sells precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
American Hartford Gold also offers products and services for storing precious metals at a third-party vault location. Products include coin IRA accounts and bullion IRA accounts. The company deals only in near-pure gold and silver, so investors benefit from the purity and quality of these assets.
American Hartford Gold has been in business since 2015, providing gold IRA services to customers around the country. The company is licensed by the U.S. Department of Treasury to deal in precious metals and conducts business with investors who meet its accreditation standards.
The company is accredited by the DTCC and has earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. American Hartford Gold also complies with industry regulations to ensure investors have full transparency in the process. The company is a member of the Gold Bullion Dealers Association.
American Hartford Gold provides customers free shipping on all purchases, a 24-hour phone line for customer service and support, and a variety of bullion products to choose from at competitive prices.
Pros & Cons of American Hartford Gold
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FAQs
Can I take money from my traditional IRA while working?
Yes, but the biggest decision you have to make is whether or not to convert your traditional IRA to a ROTH IRA. You may only do this if your taxable income is below certain amounts. A traditional IRA allows you to remove funds (up to $5,500 as of 2010) from your employment income on a tax-free basis.
Can I deduct the 10% additional early withdrawal tax as a penalty on early savings withdrawal?
The 10% early withdrawal tax is added to ordinary income taxes. If you pay the additional 10% early withdrawal penalty, you can look forward to a little extra security when you retire – because you will have to be a little older before it is time for that big party.
While it may be a good idea to include some gold in your retirement portfolio as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty, there are better ideas than relying on it as your sole source of retirement income. Diversifying your retirement savings across various assets, including stocks, bonds, real estate, and cash, is important.