Click here to get this post in PDF

Investors choose Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) with tax benefits to save for retirement. A self-directed IRA is one that allows alternative investments. These include physical commodities, including precious metals such as gold, unlike traditional IRAs that focus on paper assets. 

The self-directed IRA combines the tax advantages of a conventional IRA with the benefits of alternative investments, with the owner/investor making primary decisions regarding the account while the dealer guides the process. 

Clients need to involve themselves in considerable research for reliable, trusted resources with whom to work. It’s very easy to become a victim of fraudulent behavior in the industry if a client is not careful. 
The behavior is rampant. But in paying attention and reviewing testimonials, checking authoritative and impartial sites, an investor can locate leading firms in the industry (learn more here) that can offer sage advice. Professionals with years in the industry have the expertise to guide their clients to meet their retirement goals.

Types Of Gold IRAs

Gold is a popular investment choice for investors who share the conventional mindset that precious metal is minimally volatile compared to other classes like paper assets, including stocks. Paper assets correlate with the stock market, having a turbulent history. Physical commodities like precious metals don’t. 

There are varied IRA types, each with different benefits for investors. Whatever your financial situation will determine the option that satisfies your needs for the better. These will include:

• Traditional Type Gold IRA: This IRA is common for Gold options. Investors can deduct contributions from income when filing taxes. Investors will experience tax reductions in the contribution year but need to pay that income tax on the entire withdrawal amount when taking a distribution from a traditional gold IRA.

• Roth Type Gold IRA:  These act in the opposite way of a traditional gold IRA. Taxes come out with contributions. Once the funds go into the account, the money accrues tax-free. Taxes don’t incur when withdrawing either. There are no penalties upon withdrawal as with other types of IRAs.

• SEP Type Gold IRA: The SEP is for the self-employed and small business owners. These function comparably to a traditional account but allow the business owner an opportunity to contribute to themselves and employees.

How Is A Gold IRA Account Funded

When creating a self-directed IRA backed by gold, investors need to fund the account. That is possible in a few ways.

• Cash funding: The most straightforward method of funding is contributing cash into the account. Once the funds are in the IRA, this money purchases gold or perhaps other precious metals.

• Transfer IRA: Those with an existing IRA, regardless of whether it’s holding securities, cash, or gold, can do the paperwork to convert those assets to the newly established IRA. Once received, the investor can liquidate these to fund the gold or other precious metals, as they choose.

• Rollover: Other retirement plans, including 401k plans, can rollover into a gold iRa for use to purchase gold or other precious metals. 

Despite the fact an investor is opening a gold IRA, these cannot have funding using gold coins or bullion currently owned. The IRS restricts what bars and coins individuals can buy.

That means funds need to come from assets in the IRA to buy precious metals. Investors also need to be of retirement age before taking possession of the assets. Until that point, these remain in an IRS-approved facility.

Storage Of Gold Or Precious Metals

IRS code dictates gold and other precious metals held in an IRA need appropriate storage in an IRS-approved facility until investors reach retirement age. That means holding the asset in a home safe is impermissible. Specialized companies need selecting meaning an approved depository to secure the gold. Two primary storage type facilities for precious metals are available:

• Commingled: This depository puts gold from each investor with others instead of separating them. Anyone who stores assets will have their metal noted by quality, type, and the amount placed. 

When withdrawing, you won’t necessarily receive the exact gold placed in storage, but it will equate to those bars or coins.

• Segregated: In this depository, investors’ specific pieces will store separately from the other clients’ metals. That particular gold will remain with the same person throughout the history of its storage until withdrawal.

The security in each is comparable, but the decision depends on preference. There are additional fees for storage needing consideration. Another factor is the segregated option requires higher costs since these need more space. 

Aside from security concerns, when choosing the ideal depository for gold storage, factors to consider are the necessary insurance and overall fees.

Withdrawals From A Gold IRA

An IRA means to save for retirement with tax benefits included, but regulations regarding how the funds are handled apply. Traditional accounts disallow withdrawals until 59.5. 

Once you reach retirement age, any withdrawals deem income and are at that point taxed. Those who choose to take money from the account before the appropriate age are responsible for a penalty on the funds taken.

For those over 70.5, the traditional IRA has minimum distributions, so the investor has to take out a specific minimum designation each year based on a particular formula. There are penalties for anyone choosing to ignore the withdrawal policy.

The Roth IRA allows withdrawals any time from the money contributed without penalties and with no taxes placed on these withdrawals after age 59.5. Early withdrawals involve income tax and penalties. 

Some exceptions apply, including the ability to make early withdrawals without fear of penalty for qualified medical costs, a first-time home, qualified education costs, or for a payment plan of “substantially equal” periodic payments for those taking early retirement.

Final Thought

There are a select few prominent companies that specialize in the precious metal IRA industry. Learn more about gold IRAs at https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-a-gold-ira/. It’s critical to take the time to do considerable research and compare firms in order to choose the option that will better serve your specific needs.

You may also like: The Pros and Cons of Using a Gold IRA for Your Retirement

Image source:Pixabay.com