Or maybe you’ve decided to rollover your 403b or 401k into a gold IRA? Choosing
the right precious metals IRA company to work with is the next step to take. Keep reading to learn about our favorite gold IRA companies that we’ve reviewed this year.
Do you plan to invest in
a gold IRA in 2023?
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Introduction
Are you considering investing in precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, or palladium in 2023? These assets have historically been a safe haven during times of economic uncertainty and volatility, making them an attractive option for investors looking to hedge against inflation and economic downturns. Precious metals have proven to retain their value even in poor economic conditions, making them a reliable long-term investment. Maybe you’re even considering adding cryptocurrency to your portfolio of alternative assets. If so, you’ve come to the right place!
If you’re interested in investing in precious metals through your IRA, there are two purchase options to choose from with the following precious metals IRA companies:
1. Gold IRA rollover: You can roll over funds from your existing retirement account (like your traditional or Roth IRA, a 401k, 403b, etc.) and invest them into a self-directed IRA account that lets you to invest in alternative assets like precious metals and cryptocurrency. Your metals will be stored in a secured vault (either segregated or non-segregated) with one of the company’s trusted depositories.
2. Non-IRA cash purchase: his option is much quicker but riskier. You purchase the metals, and they are delivered straight to your home. All of the top 10 companies offer free shipping. However, we advise storing these metals in a secure vault outside of your residence, such as a bank or post office. If you have a retirement account, rolling over the funds to a gold IRA account is a better option than going through this hassle.
Choosing the right precious metals IRA company is crucial. From my personal experience with investing in gold and observing my own customers’ buying patterns as an affiliate who promotes these companies, there are two extremely important factors to consider before investing in a gold IRA account.
Two Things You MUST Consider Before Choosing a Gold IRA Company
Consideration 1: What makes a great gold IRA company? As someone who invests in gold and crypto and promotes these companies as an affiliate, I’ve noticed seven critical factors that make a gold IRA company stand out:
- Ratings
- Precious metals options
- Buyback program
- Stockpiling program
- Account setup and delivery
- Customer support and salesmanship
- Company profile, including longevity, team staff, transparency, and compliance
These factors have proven to be crucial in my investing experience and observing the rollover and purchasing process.
Consideration 2: Are you planning to diversify your self-directed IRA by investing in precious metals and cryptocurrency? While this review focuses on gold and silver, it’s important to consider if a company offers cryptocurrency options if that’s part of your overall investment strategy. Keep in mind that not all gold IRA companies offer cryptocurrency options. However, it’s still worth considering as you create a diverse portfolio of alternative assets in a self-directed IRA. Regular retirement accounts like 401k or 403b don’t offer these options, so it’s important to do your research and choose the right company for your investment goals.
But First: My Gold IRA Triumvirate
I am beyond excited to share with you the seven critical factors that make a great gold IRA company, and my top picks that have blown me away with their exceptional service and dedication to their clients!
But I just can’t wait to tell you about my top three picks! They were so good that I couldn’t choose just one, so I created a gold IRA triumvirate of the best three companies on the market.
From ratings to customer support and salesmanship, these factors are absolutely essential when choosing a gold IRA company that can help secure your financial future and protect against economic uncertainty.
Let to the good stuff: my top three gold IRA companies are Augusta, Birch Gold Group, and Goldco. Each of these companies has impressed me with their extensive knowledge, commitment to transparency, and incredible track record.
So, are you ready to learn more about these top performers in the gold IRA industry? Check out my separate reviews for each of them and discover which one is the perfect fit for your investment goals!
With the help of a trustworthy gold IRA company, you can diversify your investment portfolio, protect your hard-earned assets, and ultimately achieve financial security. So why wait? Take the first step towards a brighter future and start investing in precious metals today!
Here is some more information about the top 3 gold IRA companies:
Triumvirate #1) Augusta Precious Metals:
Augusta’s $50,000 is steep for average retail investors, but the high bar to entry means the firm is tailor-made for high-net-worth-individuals who need a customized, bespoke Gold IRA investing experience. The elite concierge service at Augusta Precious Metals includes Harvard-trained economists on call to educate and inform investors, personally assigned investment agents to best serve your needs, and a robust back office that handles the hardest part of IRA management – the paperwork!
Triumvirate #2) Birch Gold:
Endorsed by Ron Paul and Ben Shapiro, Birch Gold Group offers a rare commodity to new clients: free gold, silver, platinum and palladium.
When you migrate your IRA or 401(k) to a Gold IRA with Birch Gold Group and meet their conditions, Birch will match up to $10,000 in free precious metals to further inflate your account. Furthermore, the free metals aren’t limited to silver and gold – you can also get free platinum and palladium to diversify your Gold IRA portfolio.
Triumvirate #3) Goldco
Goldco has won consecutive awards as the best gold IRA company for many reasons. They will not only give you back 10% of your precious metals back in gold or silver, up to $150,000, but they also offer free shipping for all cash purchases. Their minimum is also one of the lowest in the industry at $20,000 so they are a great choce for both beginners and veteran gold and precious metals investors.
Now, before we dive into the rest of my picks, let’s take a closer look at the seven critical factors that make a great gold IRA company. Each of these factors plays a crucial role in determining whether a gold IRA company is trustworthy, reliable, and ultimately the right choice for your investment goals.
From the company’s ratings to the precious metals options, buyback program, stockpiling program, account setup and delivery, customer support and salesmanship, and company profile, we’ll explore what to look for and why it matters. With a better understanding of these factors, you can make an informed decision and choose a gold IRA company that can help secure your financial future.
The Seven Critical Factors
Ratings
When it comes to researching a gold IRA company, it’s important to check their ratings, reviews, and customer complaints. The primary rating sites include the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the Business Consumer Alliance (BCA), and TrustLink. These sites provide valuable information about a company’s reputation, track record, and customer satisfaction.
In addition to the primary rating sites, there are also secondary review sites like Trustpilot, Yelp, Consumer Affairs, City Search, Facebook, Google, and SiteJabber. These sites mainly consist of customer reviews and the average rating among them.
Once you’ve done your due diligence on a company’s ratings and reviews, the next critical factor to consider is the type of precious metals they offer. This can range from gold and silver to platinum and palladium, and it’s important to choose a company that offers a variety of options to help you create a diversified investment portfolio.
Metals Options
Before looking at different metals options, I want to make it clear that I am a believer in Christ and a personal investor in precious metals. I have found that gold is my primary investment focus, although I am also interested in adding silver, platinum, and palladium to my portfolio in the future.
There are four precious metals that can potentially be added to a precious metals IRA, with gold and silver being the two primary metals. As a believer, I believe that gold and silver are always items of high value, as they have been since the beginning of the Bible. While gold is considered of higher worth than silver, both metals are valuable and reliable long-term investments.
The secondary precious metals are platinum and palladium, which many of the top 10 gold IRA companies also offer. All four precious metals must meet the IRS-requirements for minimum purity levels, which are 99.5% for gold, 99.9% for silver, and 99.95% for platinum and palladium.
So, why do I choose to invest in these precious metals? My personal convictions and investment preferences combine to make Gold IRAs and precious metals investing perfect for me (and for you?).
Why I Love Gold and Silver
Gold has been an item of high value since the beginning of the Bible, with numerous references to its worth throughout both the Old and New Testaments. In the Garden of Eden, the River Pison was said to have gold, which was described as “good” (Genesis 2:11-12). Throughout the Bible, there are endless depictions of gold as a valuable commodity, and it is even used to describe the glory of the heavenly city of New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation (21:18-21).
As a believer in Christ and an investor in precious metals, I find that gold is my primary focus due to its long-standing reputation as a reliable investment option. It is tried in the fire, according to the Book of Revelation, and is therefore considered a purer and more valuable form of currency (Revelation 3:18). In fact, gold is consistently associated with God’s glory and the heavenly kingdom throughout the Bible.
While gold may be considered the most valuable precious metal, silver is also a prevalent commodity in the Bible. In fact, it is often spoken of in conjunction with gold, such as in Psalm 119:72, which reads, “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” Additionally, silver was commonly used as a form of currency for goods and services, and it was weighed to determine the value of fields and other items throughout the Bible.
One example of silver’s use as currency can be found in Genesis 23, where Abraham purchases a field from a man named Ephron the Hittite for 400 shekels of silver. In 2 Samuel 24, King David angered God by counting the number of fighting men in Israel and had to repent by purchasing the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite for the full price of 50 shekels of silver and offering a sacrifice to the Lord. And in Matthew 27, Judas Iscariot received 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus, which were later used to buy a field known as the “field of blood” for his burial.
While silver may be considered a lesser form of currency than gold, it still holds significant value and is a worthwhile investment option for those looking to diversify their portfolio. The minimum purity level for IRA-approved silver, mandated by the IRS, is 99.9%, and every precious metals IRA company offers a silver IRA option. So, whether you’re looking to invest in gold or silver, both metals have a place in a well-rounded precious metals IRA.
Platinum and Palladium
Investing in IRA-approved platinum and palladium can be a great way to diversify your portfolio with precious metals. However, it’s important to understand the rules and regulations set by the IRS to ensure that your investment is eligible.
For platinum investments, the minimum purity level must be 99.95%, and the platinum must come from an IRS-accredited organization, such as ISO 9000 or LME. Proof coins must remain in their original packaging and have a certificate of authenticity. For small platinum bars, the weight must match the stamped weight exactly, except for 50-ounce bars. Non-proof platinum bullion coins must remain in brilliant uncirculated condition.
Similarly, for palladium investments, the minimum purity level must be 99.95%, and the investment must come from an IRS-accredited organization. Proof coins must be in perfect condition and have a certificate of authenticity, while small bullion bars must have the correct weight and the same goes for non-proof bullion coins that cannot be damaged. Be sure to follow these rules to ensure that your investment is eligible for a precious metals IRA.
Buyback Program
As an investor, it’s important to understand the current spot price of precious metals and how it affects the market price of the metals. The spot price is the current price for immediate delivery of a specific commodity, such as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. This price is determined by the supply and demand of the commodity in the global marketplace. The market price, on the other hand, is the price that an investor pays for a precious metal product such as coins or bars, which includes additional costs such as fabrication, shipping, and dealer markup.
When choosing a precious metals IRA company, it’s important to consider the buyback program they offer. A company’s buyback program quality can be judged by the value given back in return, the speed of the process, and the level of customer service provided. It’s recommended to look for companies with the best buyback programs in the industry to ensure that you can easily sell your precious metals at a fair price when the time comes.
Stockpiling (Segregated or Non-Segregated)
When it comes to precious metals storage, there are two types: segregated and non-segregated (also known as co-mingled storage). Non-segregated storage is offered by some companies but can pose a risk to investors. With non-segregated storage, your metals are stored alongside those of other investors, making it difficult to identify and retrieve your specific items if the company were to go bankrupt. In contrast, segregated storage means your metals are stored separately and can be easily identified as your own.
Companies such as Patriot Gold Group and Noble Gold offer segregated storage exclusively. While non-segregated storage typically costs around $100 with the best companies, segregated storage is generally around $50 more expensive on average.
Account Setup
One of the key factors I consider when evaluating the top gold IRA companies is their efficiency in account setup and delivery of products. A great example of a company that excels in this area is Augusta Precious Metals, which has a team of knowledgeable specialists ready to assist new customers through every step of the process. Speedy shipping is also a crucial factor, and most of the top companies are able to deliver precious metals orders within 7-10 days or less. It’s important to choose a company that offers quick account setup and delivery so that you can begin investing in precious metals as soon as possible.
Customer Support
Selecting a company with excellent customer support is crucial when choosing a gold IRA company. Augusta Precious Metals is a clear leader in customer service, with a team of expertly trained specialists on hand to assist new customers. Led by Harvard-trained economist Devlyn Steele, Augusta’s customer-focused approach makes it easy for customers to determine if investing in gold/silver is the right choice for them. The sales team is knowledgeable and never pushy, and the company goes out of its way to establish a lifetime partnership with customers for their retirement needs. Augusta’s exceptional customer service is one of the reasons why I chose them as one of my top 10 recommended companies for investing in precious metals.
Who’s In Charge: Management and Executive Profiles
From a management perspective, there are three important aspects to consider when choosing a company for your gold IRA investment:
- Company Longevity: It’s important to consider how long a company has been in business. Augusta Precious Metals has been in business for over a decade, making them a reliable and established company in the industry.
- Team Staff: The reputation of the CEO and key members of the staff is also important. Augusta Precious Metals has a team of expertly trained specialists, including Harvard-trained economist Devlyn Steele, who leads their team and educates their staff.
- Transparency and Compliance: Augusta Precious Metals stands out in the industry by having a department solely dedicated to transparency and compliance. They are fully transparent and compliant with industry regulations.
While these are important factors to consider, it’s always a good idea to request investment kits from multiple companies and speak with their representatives to ensure they meet your specific retirement needs.
The Rest of the Best
Each of these companies has its own unique strengths and offerings. Some companies may offer lower fees, while others have a larger selection of precious metals available for purchase. It’s important to review all options and find the company that best fits your individual investment goals and needs.
To learn more about each of these companies, I have dedicated review pages for each one on my website. You can find in-depth information on the company’s history, products, fees, customer service, and more. I highly recommend reviewing each company’s page and requesting an investment kit from each one to compare and make an informed decision. Remember, investing in a gold IRA can be a crucial part of securing your financial future, so it’s important to choose a reputable and trustworthy company.
Can I Include Crypto?
Yes. As previously mentioned, the inclusion of a cryptocurrency option in a company’s IRA offerings does not affect its ranking as a gold IRA company. However, for investors looking to diversify their retirement portfolio with alternative assets beyond precious metals, cryptocurrency is currently a popular choice.
Investing in both precious metals and cryptocurrency can be more complicated, as it may require working with two different representatives from different companies. However, some companies offer both precious metals and cryptocurrency options within the same IRA account, providing greater convenience for investors.
For those looking for a single account representative to handle all alternative assets in their IRA, these companies may be a good choice. It is important to note that the ranking of companies offering cryptocurrency IRA options may differ from their ranking as gold IRA companies.
Overall, the companies offering cryptocurrency options in their IRA accounts include sister companies of well-known precious metals IRA companies, as well as standalone cryptocurrency IRA companies.
Conclusion
Investing in a gold IRA can be a great option for diversifying your retirement portfolio and protecting your wealth from economic uncertainty. Choosing the right gold IRA company can be a daunting task, but by considering the 7 critical factors, you can make an informed decision that best suits your individual needs. Remember to take into account the investment amount, online ratings, storage options, buyback program, account setup and delivery, customer support, company profile, and any interest in cryptocurrency investments. The top 10 gold IRA companies discussed in this article are all reputable and trustworthy, and each has its own unique features and benefits. Be sure to request investment kits from multiple companies to compare and make an informed decision that best fits your retirement goals.