Published Fee Disclosure · Verified · June 2026
Lear Capital’s published IRA pricing: $315 for year 1 and $235 each subsequent year, with a typical annual range of $235–$285. Lear describes the fee as covering storage, insurance, and account administration. Your all-in cost is still higher once you factor in dealer pricing, shipping, and any transfer or liquidation charges. The signed fee disclosure is the source of truth — not the marketing summary.
As of 2026-06-13, Lear Capital publishes two closely related fee statements:
| Lear Capital published figure | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First-year fee | $315 | Lear IRA FAQ |
| Each subsequent year | $235 | Lear IRA FAQ |
| Typical annual range | $235–$285 | Lear fee transparency page |
Lear states the annual fee covers three main items:
Storage
The cost of keeping IRA metals at an approved depository rather than at your home. This is required under IRS custody rules.
Insurance
Coverage for the metals while they are held in custody.
Account administration
IRA servicing such as recordkeeping and administration.
The most common mistake is assuming the annual fee is the only cost. Charges that are common in the precious-metals IRA industry can still appear outside the annual fee. Confirm in Lear’s written fee schedule or account agreement whether any of the following apply:
Fee comparisons only matter if the IRA itself is structured properly. The IRS has special rules for precious metals in retirement accounts. Under IRS collectibles guidance and IRS Publication 590-B, precious metals must be eligible under IRS standards and must be held under the proper custodian/trustee structure.
A fee that covers storage only has value if the storage arrangement also fits IRS custody rules. Before comparing, confirm: the metals are IRA-eligible, the custody structure is correct, the depository arrangement is appropriate, and the account agreement matches IRS requirements.
Common misconceptions to avoid:
For a 5- or 10-year hold, the recurring annual fee becomes more important. But even then, metal pricing and exit costs can still matter more than the annual fee alone.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What is my exact first-year fee breakdown in writing? | Prevents first-year cost surprise |
| What is my exact recurring annual fee tier? | Confirms the ongoing cost after year 1 |
| Does the annual fee include storage, insurance, and admin exactly as stated? | Validates what is actually covered |
| Are there separate shipping, transfer, or liquidation fees? | Reveals costs outside the annual fee |
| What dealer premiums or spreads should I expect? | The largest variable cost |
| Is my storage segregated or non-segregated? | Affects cost and recordkeeping |
| Which metals in my proposed purchase are IRA-eligible? | Prevents deemed distribution tax problem |
| Can I see the signed fee schedule before I fund? | The signed version is the source of truth |
As of 2026-06-13, Lear Capital publishes two closely related fee statements: (1) its fee transparency page says annual IRA fees typically range from $235 to $285, and (2) its IRA FAQ says the fee for the first year is $315 and $235 each subsequent year. Lear describes the annual fee as covering storage, insurance, and account administration. These are Lear's published figures — your actual cost also depends on dealer premium, shipping, and any transfer fees.
Lear states its annual fee covers three items: storage (the cost of keeping IRA metals at an approved depository), insurance (coverage for the metals in custody), and account administration (IRA servicing, recordkeeping). You should still confirm in writing what is excluded, since charges for dealer premiums, sale spreads, shipping, transfer-out fees, and liquidation handling may still appear outside the annual fee.
Lear's published IRA FAQ states the first-year fee is $315 and $235 each subsequent year. The most likely explanation is that a first-year enrollment or processing component is built into year one. The source of truth is your signed fee disclosure — not a marketing summary. Ask for the exact written breakdown of first-year charges before funding.
The IRS has special rules for precious metals in retirement accounts. Under IRC §408(m), IRAs generally cannot hold collectibles, but certain eligible bullion is excepted when held through the proper custodian/trustee structure with physical possession. If the account or metals are not handled correctly, favorable IRA tax treatment may be at risk. Confirm the metals are IRA-eligible, the custody structure is correct, and the depository arrangement is appropriate before funding.
Ask: (1) What is my exact first-year fee breakdown in writing? (2) What is my exact recurring annual fee tier? (3) Does the annual fee include storage, insurance, and administration exactly as stated? (4) Are there separate shipping, transfer, or liquidation fees? (5) What dealer premiums or spreads should I expect? (6) Is storage segregated or non-segregated? (7) Which metals in my proposed purchase are IRA-eligible? (8) Can I see the signed fee schedule before I fund?