Focus on the User
Gold IRA Research for U.S. Retirement InvestorsA Gold IRA research publication for the U.S. precious metals retirement market. Focus on the User researches companies, costs, custody, storage, funding, and account rules to help retirement investors consider available options.
Explore Gold IRA ResearchGet the Free Gold IRA GuideLearn About Gold IRAs
Explore how Gold IRAs work, including their trade-offs, funding methods, costs, rules, storage requirements, and eligible precious metals.
Pros and Cons
Research the advantages, limitations, and trade-offs of holding physical precious metals in a self-directed IRA.
Funding via Rollovers & Transfers
Review how rollovers and transfers are used to fund a Gold IRA from different retirement account types.
Fees and Costs
Review setup, administration, storage, and transaction fees, along with dealer spreads associated with a Gold IRA.
Rules, Regulations, and Prohibited Transactions
Learn contribution, custody, distribution, and prohibited-transaction rules that apply to Gold IRAs and precious metals IRAs.
Storage Options
Compare segregated and non-segregated storage, depository arrangements, and insurance terms, and review restrictions on personal possession.
IRA-Eligible Precious Metals
Review qualifying gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion coins and bars for a self-directed IRA.
Companies, Custodians and Depositories
A Gold IRA account involves multiple organizations with different roles. Focus on the User researches the companies that facilitate precious metal purchases, the custodians that administer self-directed IRAs, and the depositories used for physical storage.
Gold IRA Companies
Compare company fees, account minimums, services, and investor fit.
Gold IRA Custodians
Research custodians, fee structures, account administration, and company relationships.
Gold IRA Depositories
Evaluate storage facilities, locations, storage options, and custodian relationships.
Gold IRA Provider, Custodian and Depository Relationships
Gold IRA companies, custodians, and depositories work together — but not every provider works with every other. Focus on the User researches how these organizations work together so you can see which companies use which Gold IRA custodians, and which custodians connect with which depositories. These relationships make it easier to see which custody and storage arrangements are available through each company.
See All Gold IRA Organizations
Funding a Gold IRA From Existing Retirement Accounts
Focus on the User covers the different retirement accounts that can fund a Gold IRA. Based on your account type, review the rollover, transfer, and eligibility requirements that may apply.
Traditional IRA
Learn how Traditional IRA assets are rolled over or transferred to a self-directed IRA that can hold eligible gold and other precious metals.
Roth IRA
See how Roth IRA assets are moved to a self-directed Roth IRA while keeping the Roth tax treatment.
SEP IRA
Find out how SEP IRA assets are transferred or rolled over to a self-directed IRA to hold precious metals.
SIMPLE IRA
Review when SIMPLE IRA assets can be moved to a self-directed Gold IRA, including the special two-year restriction on tax-free transfers to non-SIMPLE IRAs.
401(k)
Review when 401(k) assets are eligible for rollover to a Gold IRA depending on the plan and distribution rules.
Solo 401(k)
Learn when Solo 401(k) assets are eligible for rollover to a self-directed precious metals IRA.
457(b)
Review Gold IRA rollover eligibility for governmental 457(b) plans and how the rules differ for non-governmental tax-exempt plans.
Precious Metals Held in a Self-Directed IRA
A self-directed IRA holding one or more eligible precious metals is known as a Precious Metals IRA. It can hold qualifying gold, silver, platinum, or palladium, alone or in combination. Each metal has specific eligibility standards and qualifying forms that can be held.
Gold IRAs
Learn how holding gold in a self-directed IRA works, including eligibility, account requirements, custody, and storage.
Silver IRAs
Review how silver is held in a self-directed IRA, including eligible products, account requirements, and market characteristics such as industrial demand.
Platinum IRAs
See how platinum is held in a self-directed IRA, including eligibility requirements, qualifying bullion and coin forms, and storage.
Palladium IRAs
Learn how palladium can be held in a self-directed IRA, including eligible products, requirements, and its distinct market characteristics.
Gold IRA Fee Calculator
Estimate Gold IRA costs based on setup, annual administration, storage, and optional fees over a selected holding period. The results from this Gold IRA tool are estimated based on adjustable fees to compare account-cost scenarios.
→ Estimate Gold IRA Account Costs
Gold IRA Comparisons
Explore investment, ownership, and retirement account comparisons involving Gold IRAs.
Vs Physical Gold
Compare holding physical gold inside and outside an IRA, including ownership, storage, taxes, and access.
Vs Gold ETFs
Compare holding bullion in an IRA with owning gold ETF shares, including custody, fees, and liquidity.
Traditional Vs Roth
Compare Traditional and Roth precious metals IRA account structures, tax treatments, and withdrawal rules.
Additional Gold IRA Research
Account Management
Risks and Decision Research
Additional Guides
About Focus on the User
Focus on the User is a specialized Gold IRA research publication for U.S. retirement investors. We've been publishing since 2014, organizing our research around investor decisions.
→ About Focus on the User→ How Our Research Works
Focus on the User Gold IRA Guide
Get the Focus on the User Gold IRA Guide for a practical overview of how these accounts work, what they cost, and what to consider before opening an account.
