401(k) Rollover Guide · 2026
How to avoid the 20% withholding trap, what the rollover actually costs over 10 years, the home-storage lie, and the Rule of 55 mistake that costs retirees thousands.
A 401k to Gold IRA rollover can be tax-free and penalty-free if the money moves by direct rollover from your 401(k) plan to a self-directed IRA custodian — and if pre-tax money stays pre-tax and Roth money stays Roth. That is the entire game in one sentence. A direct rollover skips the 20% mandatory withholding, removes the 60-day clock, and keeps your money fully invested. A pre-tax 401(k) routed to a Roth IRA is a taxable Roth conversion — same paperwork, very different tax bill.
A 401k to Gold IRA rollover makes sense if you are at least 59½, or have a former-employer 401(k) you can move freely; have at least $25,000 to move; want 5–15% of your retirement in physical gold, silver, platinum, or palladium; and understand you are paying roughly 10–14% of the starting balance over 10 years in total fees — most of it baked into the first purchase, not the annual statement.
It does not make sense if you are 55–58 and might need the Rule of 55 from your 401(k), if your only goal is gold price exposure (a gold ETF inside your existing IRA does that for a fraction of the cost), if you have under $10,000 to move, or if anyone is pushing you to put 50%+ of your retirement into metals.
| Your situation | Likely rollover path | What to do first |
|---|---|---|
| Old 401(k) from a former employer | Usually a clean direct-rollover candidate | Request rollover paperwork from plan administrator |
| Current employer, under 59½ | Plan-dependent; many plans don't allow it | Ask about in-service withdrawal rules |
| Current employer, age 59½+ | Possible if your plan allows it | Confirm in-service rollover availability |
| Age 55–58 after separation from service | Pause — review Rule of 55 first | Talk to a fiduciary before rolling to any IRA |
| Age 73+ or RMD already required | Take the RMD first; the rest can be rolled over | Confirm RMD amount with your CPA |
| Roth + after-tax + pre-tax money mixed | CPA-level tax-character routing | Get the destination of each piece in writing |
| Outstanding 401(k) loan | Ask plan administrator before any rollover | Get loan status and offset rules confirmed |
One thing this page will not do: rank gold IRA companies for you. That is a different job, covered in our Best Gold IRA Companies guide. This page is about whether you should even start, and how to do it right if you do.
Tax-Free Rollover
Short answer
Yes. An eligible 401(k) can be rolled into a self-directed IRA that holds IRS-approved physical precious metals. A properly executed direct rollover to the same tax type — pre-tax 401(k) to Traditional self-directed IRA, or Roth 401(k) to Roth self-directed IRA — generally triggers zero federal income tax and zero early-withdrawal penalty (IRS Publication 590-A; IRS Topic 413). A pre-tax 401(k) rolled into a Roth IRA is a taxable Roth conversion — same paperwork, very different tax bill.
The catch is not whether it is legal. The catch is whether you do it the right way.
Your 401(k) money has to be eligible to leave the plan
Old 401(k)s from previous employers are almost always eligible. Current-employer 401(k)s usually are not — unless your plan allows in-service withdrawals. Verify with your plan administrator before starting any paperwork.
The new account has to be a self-directed IRA set up to hold precious metals
A regular IRA at a brokerage cannot hold physical bullion. You need a self-directed IRA with a custodian approved to hold alternative assets, partnered with an IRS-approved precious-metals depository.
The money has to move directly from your 401(k) administrator to the new IRA custodian
It cannot be paid to you personally — even if you plan to deposit it within 60 days. That single mistake is the most common source of unnecessary taxes and penalties in this entire process. It triggers mandatory 20% withholding and starts a 60-day clock.
The 20% Trap
Use a direct rollover. A direct rollover moves your 401(k) money straight from your plan administrator to your new gold IRA custodian. You never touch the money. Nothing is withheld. There is no 60-day clock.
An indirect rollover sends the check to you first — and federal law requires your 401(k) administrator to withhold 20% for federal taxes even if you fully intend to put the money into a new IRA. You then have 60 days to redeposit the full original amount — not just the 80% you received.
Direct rollover ✓
Indirect rollover ✗
The 20% withholding rule exists because the IRS wants to make sure tax gets paid if the rollover fails. It does not care that you intended to redeposit. The clock starts the day you receive the distribution, and missing it by a single day is enough to trigger the full tax hit (IRS rollover rules).
The one-IRA-rollover-per-12-months rule applies only to IRA-to-IRA indirect rollovers. It does not apply to plan-to-IRA direct rollovers from a 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), or TSP (IRS Publication 590-A). Even if you have already done an IRA rollover this year, you can still do a direct rollover from your 401(k) to a gold IRA — no restriction.
If a salesperson ever suggests you “just take the distribution and we’ll handle it from there” — that is an indirect rollover.
Legitimate gold IRA companies handle the direct rollover paperwork for you. They send your 401(k) administrator a pre-filled transfer authorization form. You sign, they submit, the money moves trustee-to-trustee. There is almost never a legitimate reason to do it the indirect way.
Eligibility
Short answer
Most former-employer 401(k)s can be rolled over without restriction. Current-employer 401(k)s usually cannot, unless your specific plan allows in-service withdrawals (commonly available at age 59½, sometimes earlier). If you have already started required minimum distributions, the RMD portion cannot be rolled over. The plan document — not the gold IRA salesperson — is the final word on what is allowed.
| Your situation | Likely path | First call you need to make |
|---|---|---|
| Old 401(k) from a previous employer | Direct rollover, almost always allowed | Plan administrator to request rollover paperwork |
| Current-employer 401(k), age 59½+ | Possibly allowed via in-service rollover | HR or plan administrator to confirm in-service provision |
| Current-employer 401(k), under 59½ | Usually not allowed until you separate | Ask plan administrator — but expect a no |
| Already taking RMDs (age 73+) | RMD must be taken first; rest can be rolled over | Tax advisor or fiduciary to confirm RMD amount before any rollover |
The Rule of 55 is a qualified-plan exception, not an IRA exception. If you separate from service in the year you turn 55 or later (50 for certain public safety employees), you can take penalty-free withdrawals from that 401(k) before age 59½ — without the usual 10% early-withdrawal penalty (IRS Retirement Topics — Exceptions to Tax on Early Distributions).
The moment you roll that 401(k) into an IRA — gold or otherwise — you lose that protection. The IRA has no Rule of 55 equivalent. If you are 55, 56, 57, or 58 and there is any real chance you might need to tap that money before 59½, do not roll it over yet.
Real example
A 56-year-old who left their job rolls $300,000 from their 401(k) into a gold IRA. Six months later, an unexpected expense forces a $40,000 withdrawal. Because the money is now in an IRA, the Rule of 55 does not apply. That $40,000 withdrawal triggers a $4,000 penalty plus ordinary income tax. If they had left the money in the 401(k), the penalty would have been zero.
If you have borrowed against your 401(k), ask the plan administrator what happens to the loan before any rollover. Separating from service usually accelerates the loan: if you cannot repay it, the unpaid balance becomes a deemed distribution — taxable income, plus a 10% early-withdrawal penalty if you are under 59½ and no exception applies.
Some qualified-plan loan offset amounts can be rolled over by your tax-return due date (including extensions) per IRS guidance. This is a CPA-and-plan-administrator conversation, not a gold-dealer conversation.
| Money type in your 401(k) | Where it rolls (tax-free) | Where it goes wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-tax (Traditional) 401(k) | Traditional self-directed IRA | Pre-tax → Roth IRA = taxable Roth conversion |
| Roth 401(k) | Roth self-directed IRA | Roth 401(k) → Traditional IRA = taxable error |
| After-tax (non-Roth) contributions | Can sometimes go to Roth IRA in a clean split | Mixed-character distribution without planning |
Source: IRS guidance on rollovers of after-tax contributions. Get the tax-character routing of each dollar in writing before any rollover paperwork is filed.
If a meaningful portion of your 401(k) is in appreciated employer stock, you may qualify for Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) tax treatment — taking the stock as an in-kind distribution and paying long-term capital gains rates on the appreciation instead of ordinary income. NUA is an IRS Code §402(e)(4) feature, and rolling the stock into any IRA (gold or otherwise) forfeits it permanently. Call a CPA before proceeding.
RMDs generally begin at age 73 for traditional IRAs and most retirement plan accounts (IRS RMD FAQs). Participants in a workplace plan may delay RMDs until they actually retire — unless they own 5% or more of the business. RMDs are not eligible rollover distributions, so if you owe an RMD this year, take it first. The remaining balance can then be rolled over.
IRS Rules 2026
Short answer
The IRS treats most coins and metals as “collectibles” that cannot be held in an IRA. There are specific exceptions: bullion meeting purity standards (99.5% for gold, 99.9% for silver, 99.95% for platinum and palladium), held in the physical possession of a bank or IRS-approved nonbank trustee. A handful of specific coins — most notably the American Gold Eagle — qualify under their own statutory carve-out (IRS Code §408(m)(3); IRS Investments in Collectibles).
Your gold must be at least 99.5% pure (.995 fineness) to qualify for an IRA. The major exception is the American Gold Eagle, which is 91.67% pure but is specifically allowed by statute. Silver must be 99.9%. Platinum and palladium must be 99.95%.
Bullion coins commonly accepted in Gold IRAs
Not eligible (or treat as a red flag)
Anyone pushing collectible or numismatic positioning is steering you toward higher markup. That is a conversation worth ending.
Foreign coins: For products like the Chinese Gold Panda and other foreign coins, the answer can depend on the specific year, size, and product. Require written custodian confirmation that the exact item is IRA-eligible before the IRA buys it.
Your metals cannot be held by you personally. They must be in the physical possession of a bank or an IRS-approved nonbank trustee/custodian (IRS Retirement Plans FAQs Regarding IRAs). The standard setup involves three separate parties:
The Dealer
Sells you the metals. Examples: Augusta, Goldco, Birch Gold, American Hartford Gold. Does not store your gold.
The Custodian
IRA trustee that holds your account. Examples: Equity Trust, STRATA Trust, Kingdom Trust, GoldStar Trust. Reports to the IRS. Does not sell metals.
The Depository
Secure vault where metals are physically stored. Examples: Delaware Depository, Brink's, IDS Group. Does not manage your IRA.
Note from Investor.gov (SEC): self-directed IRA custodians do not evaluate the investment for you. They administer the account; they do not verify quality, legitimacy, or accuracy of financial information presented. That verification is your job — or your fiduciary’s job.
You cannot store IRA-owned gold at home. Not in a personal safe. Not in a safe-deposit box. Not through an LLC the IRA owns.
The Tax Court ruling in McNulty v. Commissioner, 157 T.C. No. 10 (2021), made this clear: a couple who used an LLC-controlled IRA to store gold coins at home was hit with a full taxable distribution on the value of the metals, plus penalties. The court rejected the LLC argument outright.
If any salesperson, ad, or “free gold IRA kit” tells you that you can legally keep your IRA gold in a safe at home — walk away. That is not a difference of opinion. It is a position the IRS and Tax Court have both rejected.
| Storage type | What it means | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Segregated | Your specific bars and coins sit in a labeled space for your account only. You get back the exact same items. | $150–$300/year | Most retirees — peace of mind that your specific bars are in the vault with your name on them |
| Commingled (non-segregated) | Your metals are pooled with other accounts holding identical products. You get back the same type and weight, not the exact pieces. | $100–$150/year | Investors focused purely on cost minimization with standard bullion holdings |
Not sure your 401(k) qualifies for a clean rollover?
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Find My Retirement Path →Real Costs
Short answer
A typical $50,000 gold IRA rollover costs about $6,000 to $7,400 in total fees over 10 years — roughly 12–15% of the starting balance. The single biggest piece is not the annual custodian fee. It is the dealer markup over spot priceon your first metal purchase, which usually runs 3–8% on standard bullion (much higher on “exclusive” coins). Most pages on this topic hide that number. We are going to put it on the table.
| Fee | Typical range | When you pay | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account setup | $50–$250 | Once, at opening | Custodian establishes your self-directed IRA |
| Annual custodian / admin fee | $75–$300 | Every year | IRA recordkeeping and reporting |
| Annual storage fee | $100–$300 | Every year | Depository holds your metals (segregated costs more) |
| Dealer markup over spot | 3–8% on standard bullion | Once, at initial purchase | Dealer profit on the metals you buy — the largest hidden cost |
| Buyback spread | 1–5% | Once, when you sell | Difference between bid/ask when you liquidate |
The first three fees are visible on most fee schedules. The last two are not. That is by design.
Gold has a published “spot price” — the wholesale market price for one troy ounce. When you buy a 1-oz American Gold Eagle from a dealer through an IRA, you do not pay spot. You pay spot plus a premium— the dealer’s margin plus the mint’s premium. For standard bullion at retail through an IRA dealer, that typically runs 5–8%. For “exclusive,” “limited,” or “semi-numismatic” coins, markups of 15–30% are not unheard of, and the CFTC has documented cases that went much higher.
On a $50,000 rollover with a 5% dealer markup, you are paying $2,500 in markup the day you buy. Gold would need to appreciate 5% just for you to break even on the metal itself, before counting any annual fees.
Segregated storage, no additional contributions, held for 10 years. Midpoint fee schedules from Augusta, Birch, Goldco, Noble, and AHG as published May 2026.
| Cost component | Year 1 | Years 2–10 (each) | 10-yr total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account setup (one-time) | $50–$150 | $0 | $50–$150 |
| Annual custodian fee | $80–$125 | $80–$125 | $800–$1,250 |
| Annual storage (segregated) | $150–$200 | $150–$200 | $1,500–$2,000 |
| Dealer markup on initial purchase (5% midpoint) | $2,500 | $0 | $2,500 |
| Estimated buyback spread (~3%) | — | — | ~$1,500 |
| 10-year all-in fee drag on $50K | — | — | ~$6,350–$7,400 |
| As % of starting balance | — | — | ~12.7%–14.8% |
If your annual fees total roughly $250/year, here is what that means as a percentage of your account balance:
| Account size | $250/yr as % of balance | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | 2.50% | Punishing — heavier than most actively managed funds |
| $25,000 | 1.00% | Manageable — minimum threshold where economics improve |
| $50,000 | 0.50% | Reasonable |
| $100,000 | 0.25% | Fees barely register |
| $250,000 | 0.10% | Very cost-efficient at scale |
Step-by-Step Process
A clean direct rollover typically takes 2–4 weeks from start to depository confirmation. Most reputable Gold IRA companies handle steps 3 through 6 on your behalf — that is a large part of what you are paying them for.
Confirm your 401(k) is eligible to leave the plan
Call your plan administrator and ask: Is my account eligible for a direct rollover? Is there an outstanding loan? Are there any employer match vesting restrictions? Get the confirmation in writing. If you are 55–58 and just separated from service, review the Rule of 55 implications first.
Choose a Gold IRA company and confirm the custodian behind it
The Gold IRA company (Augusta, Goldco, Birch, AHG, etc.) is the sales and service face. The custodian (Equity Trust, STRATA Trust, Kingdom Trust) is the trust company that actually holds your IRA. They are different entities. Ask for both names in writing before opening anything.
Open the new self-directed IRA
Same tax type as your source account. Pre-tax 401(k) opens a Traditional self-directed IRA. Roth 401(k) opens a Roth self-directed IRA. Most companies complete account setup in 24–48 hours. Fund with zero dollars at this stage — the rollover fills it.
Complete the direct rollover request
Your new custodian or Gold IRA company sends a direct rollover request to your 401(k) plan administrator. The form says: pay the funds to [New Custodian Name] FBO [Your Name]. The check is made out to the new custodian, not you. This is what makes it a direct rollover. Timeline: the 401(k) administrator processes in 1–2 weeks; some wire same-day.
Select IRS-eligible metals
Once the cash lands in the new IRA, you choose what to buy. Ask for the current spot price, the per-ounce price of the specific product, and the premium over spot — all three, in writing, before confirming the purchase. The premium is the dealer markup. Standard bullion: 5–8% premium is normal. Premium or proof coins: question it hard.
Metals ship to an approved depository
The dealer ships the metals directly to the assigned depository vault (Delaware Depository, Brink's, IDS, etc.). You receive a confirmation, a custodian statement, and portal access showing what you own. Physical possession by you is not allowed while the metals are inside the IRA.
If it has been more than 6 weeks since you submitted rollover paperwork with no depository confirmation, escalate directly to the 401(k) plan administrator by phone and confirm the funds were actually transferred.
Red Flags
These are the patterns the CFTC, SEC, FINRA, and FTC have documented in enforcement actions against precious-metals operations. The CFTC has charged over $500 million in alleged fraudulent precious-metals sales over the past decade; the FTC has brought multiple cases including a 2012 action alleging nearly $9 million in consumer losses from telemarketing operations targeting seniors.
Home storage IRA pitch
Any salesperson who tells you that you can keep IRA gold at home, in your own safe deposit box, or through an LLC you control is describing something the Tax Court and IRS have both rejected. McNulty v. Commissioner (2021) resulted in a deemed distribution on the full coin value. Walk away immediately.
McNulty v. Commissioner, 157 T.C. No. 10 (2021)
Urgency pressure — act today or miss out
The IRS does not care whether your rollover takes one week or four. Gold has been around 5,000 years. Any sales rep citing dollar collapse, imminent price spikes, or today-only promotions is using documented pressure tactics the CFTC flagged specifically in its precious-metals fraud advisory. Hang up. Reputable providers will let you take a week.
CFTC Customer Advisory: 10 Things to Ask Before Buying Precious Metals
Rare, proof, numismatic, semi-numismatic, or graded coins pushed for your IRA
Most numismatic coins are not IRS-eligible. The ones that are eligible carry far higher markups than standard bullion with no corresponding IRS benefit. This is the category where the largest documented markup fraud occurs. Stick to standard government-minted bullion coins and require written custodian confirmation before any purchase.
IRS Code §408(m)(3); CFTC precious-metals fraud advisory
Markup bait-and-switch
The CFTC has documented cases where dealers told customers markups were 1–3% while charging 30–130%. The only protection: demand the current spot price, the per-ounce product price, and the premium over spot in writing — before you confirm any purchase. If that information arrives only verbally, that is the answer.
CFTC and SEC enforcement pattern; documented in multiple regulatory actions
Refusing to provide fee schedule in writing
Setup fee, annual custodian fee, storage fee (segregated vs. commingled), wire fee, buyback spread — on email or company letterhead. Any company that insists on a phone call instead of sending a fee schedule in writing is a company that does not want its fee structure documented. That is a warning sign, not a transparency preference.
FINRA Investor Alert: Self-Directed IRAs and the Risk of Fraud
Who Should Not Do This
Most pages on this topic try to sell you on starting. Here is the honest list of situations where you should not.
× You are 55–58 and recently separated from the employer
You may qualify for the Rule of 55 exception — penalty-free withdrawals from the 401(k) before 59½. The moment you roll it into any IRA, that protection disappears. Do not roll until you are certain you will not need that money before 59½.
× You have under $10,000 to move
At $10,000, the flat annual fee structure (typically $250/year) costs 2.5% of your balance every single year — before counting the dealer markup. A low-cost gold ETF inside your existing IRA does the job for 0.10%–0.25% annual expense ratio.
× Your only goal is gold price exposure
Physical gold in an IRA earns the same return as a gold ETF but costs dramatically more. ETFs like GLDM (0.10%), SGOL (0.17%), or IAU (0.25%) inside your existing IRA provide gold price exposure at a fraction of the cost, with no dealer markup, no depository fees, and no custody chain to manage.
× Anyone is pushing you toward 50%+ allocation
There is no credible financial planning rationale for putting half of your retirement savings into a single non-income-producing commodity. If a salesperson recommends a large percentage of your retirement into gold — especially on a first call — you are receiving a sales pitch, not financial advice. Verify any allocation recommendation with a fee-only fiduciary.
× You have a mixed Roth / pre-tax 401(k) and have not gotten routing in writing
Misrouting Roth money into a Traditional IRA (or vice versa) creates tax problems that are difficult and expensive to unwind. If your 401(k) has any complexity — Roth contributions, after-tax contributions, employer NUA stock — talk to a CPA before you move anything.
× You are buying under pressure from a sales call
Any purchase made in response to urgency pressure is statistically more likely to involve unfavorable terms. The CFTC specifically lists high-pressure sales calls targeting seniors as a documented fraud vector. The right provider will let you take a week — or a month — and will send everything in writing first.
Honest Alternatives
A physical Gold IRA is not the only way to add gold exposure to a retirement portfolio. Here is the honest comparison of the three main options.
| Option | Annual cost | Physical delivery? | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Gold IRA | ~$250–$450/yr fixed fees + dealer markup at purchase | Yes — in-kind distribution after 59½ | Investors who want IRS-eligible physical gold inside a tax-advantaged account and can hold 5–10+ years | Flat fee drag below $25K; dealer markup at purchase; home-storage lies |
| Gold ETF (IAU, SGOL, GLDM) inside existing IRA | 0.10%–0.25% expense ratio — about $50–$125/yr on $50K | No — cash settlement only | Investors who want gold price exposure at minimal cost without changing custodians | No physical delivery; counterparty risk on the trust structure |
| Leave 401(k) alone | Plan expense ratios (varies — often 0.3%–1.0%+) | No gold exposure | Investors near 55–58 who want to preserve the Rule of 55 exception; investors without a strong gold thesis | Limited investment options; no physical gold; plan fees can be high |
ETF expense ratios: IAU 0.25% (iShares); SGOL 0.17% (Aberdeen Standard); GLDM 0.10% (World Gold Council / SPDR) — verified from official ETF issuer pages. The IRA wrapper neutralizes the 28% collectibles capital gains rate that applies to gold held outside an IRA for both physical Gold IRA and gold ETF IRA holdings.
Allocation
The most commonly cited planning range among financial professionals is 5–10% of total retirement assets. Some planners go higher for clients with strong inflation concerns. Some recommend zero for clients who are already well-diversified. There is no objectively correct percentage. What follows is educational allocation math — not a recommendation.
| Total retirement balance | 5% in gold | 10% in gold | 15% in gold | 25% in gold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $12,500 | $25,000 | $37,500 | $62,500 |
| $500,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $125,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $50,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | $250,000 |
| $2,000,000 | $100,000 | $200,000 | $300,000 | $500,000 |
If your total is $500K and you are thinking about a $200K rollover, you are at 40% concentration. That is a conversation for a fiduciary, not a gold dealer.
Would I still be okay if gold fell 30% over the next three years? Gold can and has dropped that much. From 2011 to 2015 it lost roughly 45% of its dollar value.
Do I need income from this portion of my retirement? Gold pays nothing — no dividends, no interest. If you need yield, gold is not yield.
Can I pay the annual fees from outside the IRA? Or will fees come from selling metals at whatever price the market offers that day?
Do I understand how RMDs will work at age 73? Selling physical metals to meet RMDs takes time and incurs spreads.
Is a salesperson driving the percentage? Or am I the one deciding based on my own research and a fiduciary's input?
If you cannot answer all five with confidence, the allocation needs more thought. Our matching tool can connect you with a fiduciary in your state at no cost:
FAQ
Not if you do it as a direct rollover to the same tax type -- pre-tax 401(k) to Traditional self-directed IRA, or Roth 401(k) to Roth self-directed IRA. The 401(k) administrator sends the money straight to your new gold IRA custodian, nothing is withheld, and the transaction is reported on Form 1099-R with distribution code G (direct rollover, non-taxable). The rollover becomes taxable if you do an indirect rollover and miss the 60-day redeposit deadline, redeposit less than the full original amount, or route pre-tax money to a Roth IRA (which is a taxable Roth conversion). Sources: IRS Publication 590-A; IRS Topic 413.
Sometimes, but it depends on your specific plan. Most current-employer 401(k)s do not allow rollovers until you separate from service, unless the plan allows in-service withdrawals -- commonly available at age 59 and a half. Your plan administrator, not your gold IRA salesperson, is the only authoritative source. Ask before you start any paperwork.
For indirect rollovers, you have 60 calendar days from the date you receive the distribution to deposit the full amount into the new IRA. Miss it by even one day and the IRS treats the full distribution as taxable income, plus a 10% early-withdrawal penalty if you are under 59 and a half and no exception applies (IRS Topic 558). This rule does not apply to direct rollovers -- which is the entire reason we recommend the direct method.
No. The 2026 IRA contribution limit ($7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older with the $1,100 catch-up) applies only to new cash contributions. Rollover amounts are separate and have no dollar cap. You can roll over $1 million from a 401(k) in a single direct rollover, then still make a $7,500 cash contribution that same year if you have earned income. Source: IRS Publication 590-A; IRS 2026 cost-of-living adjustments.
No. IRA-owned gold must be in the physical possession of a bank or IRS-approved nonbank trustee. Home storage is treated as a taxable distribution, plus a 10% early-withdrawal penalty if you are under 59 and a half and no exception applies (IRS Investments in Collectibles). The Tax Court ruled against home storage gold IRA structures in McNulty v. Commissioner, 157 T.C. No. 10 (2021). The IRS has also confirmed that the rule applies to indirect acquisition through an IRA-owned LLC. Any salesperson who tells you otherwise is misrepresenting the law.
American Gold Eagle (the statutory exception at 91.67% purity), American Gold Buffalo, Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, Austrian Gold Philharmonic, Australian Gold Kangaroo, British Gold Britannia (current series), and other government-minted coins meeting the 99.5% purity standard. Do not assume proof, graded, rare, limited-mintage, semi-numismatic, or collectible coins are IRA-eligible. Require written custodian confirmation that the exact product qualifies under IRC Section 408(m)(3) before the IRA buys it.
Typically 2 to 4 weeks from start to depository confirmation. The 401(k) administrator transferring funds is usually the slowest step (1 to 2 weeks). If it has been more than 6 weeks with no progress, escalate to the plan administrator.
Traditional gold IRAs follow the same RMD rules as any traditional IRA: required minimum distributions generally begin at age 73 (rising to 75 in 2033 under SECURE 2.0). Roth gold IRAs have no RMDs during the owner's lifetime (IRS RMD FAQs). You can satisfy RMDs from a gold IRA by selling metals inside the IRA and distributing cash, or by taking an in-kind distribution of physical metals. The taxable value of an in-kind distribution is the fair market value of the metals at the time of distribution.
Yes -- after age 59 and a half, you can take an in-kind distribution. The metals ship from the depository to you. For a Traditional gold IRA, the fair market value of the metals on the distribution date is taxed as ordinary income. For a qualified Roth gold IRA distribution (account at least five years old and you are 59 and a half or older), the distribution is tax-free.
Yes. Roth 401(k) money rolls to a Roth gold IRA and preserves its tax-free character. Pre-tax 401(k) money rolls to a Traditional gold IRA. If you have a mix of Roth and pre-tax in the same 401(k), make sure your provider sets up the right destination accounts before any rollover happens -- fixing a misrouted Roth conversion after the fact is complicated and potentially expensive.
Not legally required. For accounts under $100,000 with a simple situation (former-employer 401(k), no employer stock, no Roth basis mixing), the provider's rollover specialist usually handles the mechanics. For accounts over $250,000, or situations with complexity flags such as net unrealized appreciation stock, after-tax contributions, near-RMD age, or recent life change, a fee-only fiduciary consultation is worth considering.
The IRA passes to your named beneficiaries. They can take an in-kind distribution (physical metals shipped to them with appropriate tax reporting) or have the metals liquidated and receive cash. The SECURE Act's 10-year distribution rule applies to most non-spouse beneficiaries. Beneficiary designations override wills -- make sure they are current, especially after a marriage, divorce, or death in the family.
Generally no. Under current federal rules, gold IRA custodian and investment-management fees are not separately deductible as miscellaneous investment expenses for most individual taxpayers (IRS Instructions for Form 8960). Fees paid from inside the IRA reduce the account balance. Fees paid from outside the IRA should be reviewed with a CPA before assuming any deduction -- tax laws change, and individual situations vary.
Verification Log
Last verified: · Next scheduled re-verification: August 2026
Verified against IRS primary sources
Verified against regulator sources
Verified against provider primary documentation (publicly stated, May 2026)
| Provider | Verified data points | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta Precious Metals | $50,000 minimum order; states it does not provide investment, financial, or tax advice and does not recommend a specific portfolio percentage | augustapreciousmetals.com/faq |
| Birch Gold Group | $5,000 minimum initial purchase; $50 setup; $30 wire; $110 storage/insurance; $125 management; $235 annual fee on the common custodian/depository combination | birchgold.com/precious-metals-ira |
| Goldco | $25,000 minimum; $50 setup; $125 annual admin; $100 non-segregated or $150 segregated storage; ~$275–$325 first-year all-in; ~$225 ongoing annual total | goldco.com/how-much-does-a-gold-ira-cost |
| American Hartford Gold | $10,000 self-directed Gold IRA minimum | americanhartfordgold.com/faqs-about-gold-iras |
| Lear Capital | $10,000 Gold IRA minimum; first-year all-in $315 non-seg or $365 seg; recurring annual $235 non-seg or $285 seg | learcapital.com/fee-and-transparency |
| Noble Gold Investments | $80 setup fee; $150 annual segregated storage; $125 annual custodian maintenance. Minimum investment: verify with provider before any decision. | noblegoldinvestments.com |
What we did not verify (and what you should before funding)
Most pages on this topic try to scare you into action. We tried to do the opposite.
A 401k to Gold IRA rollover is a real, legal, often reasonable decision — for the right person, in the right amount, with the right provider. It is also a decision that does not get more correct by being made faster. Gold has been around for 5,000 years. It will still be here next month, after you have verified the fee schedule, confirmed your eligibility with your plan administrator, and decided whether the higher cost of physical metal is buying you something you actually want.
If you have decided this is right for you: compare the legitimate providers, request quotes, and get everything in writing. If you are not sure: do not sign anything yet. Talk to a fiduciary first. Sixty seconds, no cost, no sales pressure.
Take our free 60-second matching tool to get a personalized retirement action plan. Match with a retirement advisor in your state — and verify fiduciary status and compensation model before hiring anyone.
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