State Guide · All-In Cost · June 2026
The company does not have to be physically in Pennsylvania. What matters is the IRS eligibility of the metal, the custodian and depository compliance, and the true all-in cost. The Retirement Index focuses on fees, compliance, and transparency — not ZIP codes.
IRS explains that when an individually directed qualified account acquires a collectible, it is treated as an immediate distribution equal to cost, with exceptions. That means a bad product choice can create a tax event even if the sales pitch sounds official.
Phrases like “IRA-approved,” “retirement-safe gold,” or “qualified gold” should never replace a real review of the specific product.
Ask the company to document:
FINRA and the CFTC have both warned investors about physical metals and self-directed IRA fraud risks.
On February 7, 2023, FINRA published an investor alert on the risk of fraud in self-directed IRAs. On March 20, 2024, FINRA published guidance titled “10 Things to Ask Before Buying Physical Gold, Silver or Other Metals.” The CFTC also warns about precious-metals fraud and urges buyers to ask detailed questions before purchasing.
Ask every provider for an itemized quote with effective dates that includes:
| Cost component | Ask for this exact line item |
|---|---|
| Dealer pricing | Premium over spot, buyback spread, and effective date |
| Account setup | One-time setup or onboarding fee |
| Annual administration | Custodian annual fee |
| Storage | Segregated or non-segregated storage cost |
| Transfers | Wire, ACH, or incoming transfer fees |
| Exit cost | Liquidation or termination fee |
A published 2024 precious-metals fee schedule from Equity Trust shows:
| Storage type | Annual fee (Equity Trust example) |
|---|---|
| Segregated storage | $160 per year |
| Non-segregated storage | $110 per year |
That $50 yearly difference becomes $250 over five years before counting dealer pricing or custodian admin fees. Segregated storagemeans your metals are stored separately from other clients’ metals. Non-segregated storage means metals may be stored in a pooled arrangement.
A low-fee account can become expensive when you close it. In Equity Trust’s published fee schedule, an example full termination fee of $250 is shown. That is a line item that should be read alongside any other liquidation, handling, or transfer-related fees that may apply.
Exit questions to ask:
No. In most cases, the key issue is whether the IRA uses a self-directed custodian, IRS-eligible metals, and compliant storage. The company's physical location is usually not the deciding factor.
Often it is not just the annual custodian fee. Dealer premium, storage tier, and exit fees can all be major parts of the total cost. Compare each category separately with written quotes.
The IRS says a collectible acquired in an individually directed qualified account can be treated as an immediate distribution equal to cost, with exceptions. That can trigger taxes and possibly penalties.
Not always. Segregated storage usually costs more, but the right choice depends on your priorities and total cost. One custodian fee schedule shows $160 yearly for segregated storage and $110 yearly for non-segregated storage — verify current rates.
Use written quotes, verify the custodian and dealer, confirm the exact product, and be cautious with high-pressure sales. FINRA and the CFTC specifically warn investors to ask detailed questions before buying physical metals.
Ask for the exact product list, custodian name, depository name, full fee schedule, storage type and price, liquidation terms, and termination fees. If any of those are missing, you do not have enough information yet.