Gold IRA & Precious Metals
Educational Resources
Free, research-based guides about Gold IRAs, rollovers, IRS rules, eligible metals, taxes, fees, and retirement account basics — written for US adults at every stage of research.
Educational information only. Not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice.
All Educational Topics
Each guide covers a specific Gold IRA topic in depth — from basics to rollovers, rules, taxes, fees, and precious metal comparisons. All information is for educational purposes only.
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Download our free educational Gold IRA guide to explore Gold IRA basics, rollovers, eligible metals, fees, taxes, and important considerations.
Download Free Gold IRA GuideWhat Is a Gold IRA?
A Gold IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is a type of self-directed IRA that holds physical precious metals — such as gold coins or bars — instead of the stocks and bonds found in conventional IRAs. Like other IRAs, it is subject to IRS rules on contributions, distributions, and storage.
The account requires an IRS-approved custodian and approved depository storage. Not all gold qualifies — the IRS sets purity standards for eligible metals.
Read the Full GuideQuick Overview: Gold IRA vs Traditional IRA
| Feature | Traditional IRA | Gold IRA |
|---|---|---|
| Asset type | Stocks, bonds, funds | Physical metals |
| Account type | Standard IRA | Self-directed IRA |
| Custodian required | Yes | Yes (specialized) |
| Storage | Brokerage account | Approved depository |
| IRS purity rules | No | Yes |
| Annual fees | Typically low | Generally higher |