Disclosure: The owners of this website may receive a compensation from companies featured in this article. Our analysis is independent but this is not a financial advice article. Refer to our Advertising Disclosure for more information.
Investing in gold with a gold ira is a popular option for investors wanting to diversify their portfolio, or for people approaching retirement. It is still seen as a good hedge against inflation by many as it often increases in value, while the purchasing power of the the dollar declines. Many investors are slowly having to face the fact that the current economy is having a huge impact on their investment and retirement portfolios.
How to Buy Gold?
Should you continue to take more investment risks, or look at additional options to diversify your current investment or retirement portfolio? If gold is used as a hedge against inflation, or as part of a diversification strategy, many experts have suggested that investing in gold is an important investment strategy in the current economy. In fact, Investment Banker, Former CIA and Pentagon Advisor, and author of the book, The New Case for Gold, James Rickards, has recommended that investors should invest in gold to diversify their portfolio.
There are numerous providers offering gold IRA services to help investors purchase gold. We have analyzed and selected of four of the leading companies on the market based on criteria such as price transparency and fees; their experience with precious metals and gold IRAs; customer support and satisfaction; educational resources; and the ease of opening an account to purchase gold.
Our Top Gold IRA Company Recommendations
- Lear Capital: Best for Beginners
- Noble Gold Investments: Best for Education
- Birch Gold Group: Best for Hard Asset IRAs
Lear Capital
Best for Transparent Pricing
Lear Capital deals in precious metals with a mission to assist in diversifying investment portfolios using gold and silver. The company is particularly suitable for individuals seeking market stability.
The company is ideal for investors aiming to include physical assets in their financial strategies. and for investors who want to use precious metals to protect against market fluctuations.
With more than two decades of experience, there is no doubt that Lear Capital is a prominent company in the industry. It is dedicated to empowering its customers on the advantages of investing in precious metals as a way to diversify portfolios and safeguard wealth.
With a special focus on personal service, Lear Capital provides an extensive variety of products, including bullion bars and coins, precious metals IRAs, and numismatic coins.
What does Lear Capital Metals offer?
Lear Capital is a well-established company with a strong reputation in the precious metals industry. They offer a variety of services, including:
The company offerings include:
Physical Gold and Silver IRA
* Gold IRAs: Lear Capital enables investors to invest in gold and other precious metals inside their precious metal IRAs.
* Coins and Bullion: The company has an extensive catalog of coins and bullion products, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
* Cash Investment of Gold: Lear Capital allows individuals to invest in gold and other precious metals with cash.
Lear Capital’s Gold IRA program is designed to help individuals invest in precious metals within their individual retirement accounts. This is a tax-advantaged way to grow your wealth over time. With a Gold IRA, you can invest in a different types of precious metals you like, provided they meet the IRS purity standards.
Lear Capital Coins and Bullion
Lear Capital has a very diverse range of coins and bullion products; some of the popular offerings include:
- American Gold Eagle
- Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.
Their selection includes different weights and denominations, making it easy to find the perfect investment for your portfolio.
How to setup a gold IRA with Lear Capital?
Investing with Lear Capital is a straightforward process. Lear Capital will handle the storage and insurance of your investments.
To get started, a dedicated account representative walks you through the entire application process; which normally takes around 10 minutes to complete. After your application is confirmed, your account is ready within just one day.
A representative then reaches out to your IRA custodian on your behalf to facilitate the tax-free rollover of your funds. The money can be transferred through bank wire and deposited into your new gold IRA.
Once everything is set, you can plan on how to purchase precious metals for your new gold IRA account.
A point to note is that Lear Capital provides a three-step Price Advantage Guarantee for all transactions. This offers customers with a written account agreement, a written confirmation, as well as a phone confirmation.
All IRA assets are stored in an IRS-certified facility courtesy of Delaware Depository. Your precious metal is then insured by Lloyd’s of London.
How to Buy and Invest in Lear Capital?
To invest with Lear Capital, simply visit their website, browse their selection of coins and bullion, and place an order. Here are simple steps to follow;
- Initial interest: Visit the official website of Lear Capital and fill out the simple form to express your interest in a precious metal IRA.
- Consultation: A member of Lear Capital IRA department gets in touch to talk about your investment objectives and available options.
- Application: Fill out an application form, which takes just 10 minutes, and Lear Capital creates your IRA account within 24 hours of receiving your application.
- Fund your account: A representative from Lear Capital will contact your IRA custodian on your behalf to arrange for fund transfers to your precious metals IRA.
- Choose metals: Select from a wide collection of IRA-eligible precious metals such as gold and silver. Buy these metals through Lear Capital or any other suitable source that meets IRS standards.
- Finalize your account: Review and complete your metal choices and Lear Capital will arrange for the purchase, shipment, and storage of your assets in an IRS-approved storage facility.
Cash Investment of Gold
You can buy precious metals with cash without requiring to open a precious metal IRA account. This removes the hassle of opening up a new precious metal IRA and transferring funds to it. Investors can purchase the following premium coins with cash outside their normal IRA:
- $10 Liberty Gold Coin
- American Gold Eagle
- French 20 Franc
- $20 Gold Liberty
- $5 Liberty Gold Coin
- Canadian Maple Leaf Gold Coins
- Gold Buffalo
- Gold Australian Kangaroo
Bars
- Gold 10 ounce Bar
- 1 ounce Gold Bar
- Gold American Eagle Proof
- Gold Kilo Bar
Gold IRA Investments of Gold
In addition to cash purchases, Lear Capital also lets you use an IRA to invest in precious metals of your choice. This is a tax-advantaged way to grow your wealth over time.
In addition to bullions and coins, Lear Capital also allows you to invest in gold IRA while providing you thorough assistance for rolling over or funds transfer from your existing IRA. Representatives from the company will assist you from start to finish, including in setting up your IRA account to funds rollover and transporting your assets to a safe storage.
On top of that, Lear Capital’s gold IRA options provide similar tax benefits as a traditional IRA.
Lear Capital Gold IRA Storage
As far as storage is concerned, Lear Capital store client’s investment at Delaware Depository. If this is the first time you are hearing of them, Delaware Depository is a trusted name in precious metals industry.
Additionally, all the physical assets shipments delivered to the above depository are insured. This simply means that once the payment is confirmed, Lear Capital is responsible for secure shipment of the gold or silver to the storage facility.
It is important to keep in mind that Delaware depository has been in operation since 1999 and is a top IRS-approved facility for storing gold, silver and other precious metals.
Not mention the storage facility is also insured by DDSC, one of the oldest insurance providers in the world.
Pros and Cons of Lear Capital
Understanding the pros and cons of choosing to work with Lear Capital can help you take the right action.
Pros and Cons of Augusta Precious Metals
Pros
- Wide selection investment assets: The company offer broad collection of precious metals; which is a good thing for investors as you have options including silver, gold, and other metals to diversify your portfolio.
- Educational resources: Each client of Lear Capital benefits from the company’s extensive educational resources that provide guidance in decision-making.
- Solid track record: The company has a very strong track record in offering smart investment guidance for clients.
- Personalized service: One thing that makes Lear Capital stand out is its personalized service that ensures that their customer service team work closely with you to ensure that you make wise investment decisions.
Cons
- Fees: The company charges one percent crypto trading fee. For silver and gold purchases, Lear Capital charges $2.50/ounce over the spot price and $50/ounce over the spot price respectively. These fees are comparatively higher in the market.
- Mixed customer reviews: Although Lear Capital has numerous positive reviews, some customers reported issues that the company should consider.
Lear Capital Fees and Costs
The fees and costs are structured to accommodate different investment tiers. Setting up and maintain your IRA is $280 for the first year, and then $200 every year.
While they seem steep, these fees covers account set-up, maintenance, access to financial reporting and other tools as well as storage.
Some investors report that they appreciate the fee structure since it is based on the investment amount. For instance, the fees for investment between $25,000 and $50,000 are covered. But the subsequent tiers provide even more waivers.
Let’s breakdown the Lear Capital’s fees and structure:
- Set up and maintenance fee is $280 for the first year and then $200 thereafter.
- Investment between $25,000 and $50,000 attracts $0 fees.
- Investment between $50,000 and $75,000 fees are waived for the first two years.
- Investment over $75,000 fees are waived for the first three years.
Lear Capital Customer Reviews
Lear Capital has generally positive customer reviews, with many satisfied customers praising their expertise and customer service.
When looking for company to invest in precious metals with, it is important to check out customer reviews and ratings from all possible platforms.
In the case of Lear Capital, here is how the company fares on some of the trusted websites:
- The company scored 1.76 rating and claimed a –B accreditation from Better Business Bureau.
- Trustpilot on the other hand awarded the company a 4.8 rating aggregation from hundreds of customers.
- Lear Capital has a 5-star rating in Consumer Affairs from verified customer reviews.
- TrustLink gave the company a 4.5-star rating based on numerous customer reviews.
- org provided Lear Capital a 4.8 rating.
- Business Consumer Alliance (BCA) awarded the company an AAA rating, which illustrates the strong reputation of the company.
These reviews illustrates the company’s helpful customer service as well as strong business practices.
Lear Capital Complaints
A section of the company’s disgruntled clients have expressed concerns about delayed shipping and poor communication. However, Lear Capital has taken necessary actions to deal with these issues and improve their customer service.
Nonetheless, it is important to also check out the moderate to negative review. For example, Lear Capital’s –B accreditation and 1.76 rating show that there are areas for improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the minimum investment required to start investing with Lear Capital?
A: The minimum investment is $10,000.
Q: Can I invest in Lear Capital with a Roth IRA?
A: Lear Capital accepts Roth IRA contributions.
Conclusion
Lear Capital is a dependable precious metals dealer that offers a very good range of services, including Gold IRAs, coins, and bullion. While they have some drawbacks, their expertise and customer service make them a popular choice for investors looking to diversify their portfolios.
With a wide selection of coins and bullion, competitive pricing, and secure storage options, Lear Capital is a solid choice for anyone looking to invest in precious metals.
Noble Gold Investments
Best for Education
Noble Gold Investments specializes in providing investors and people reviewing their retirement savings options with a secure and trusted platform to purchase gold and other precious metals. Their approach to investing is unique as they focus on educating their clients about the benefits of including precious metals in their investment portfolio. In this review, we will take a closer look at Noble Gold Investments and see why they are a top choice for many investors.
What Does Noble Gold Investments offer?
Noble Gold Investments provides a variety of services to meet the different demands of its clientele.
The company offerings include:
Physical Gold and Silver IRA
Noble help clients set up self-directed Individual Retirement Accounts or IRAs, that specialize in precious metals. Investors can now add physical precious metals in their retirement portfolios.
Noble Gold and Silver coins:
The company provides a platform for individuals to purchase gold and silver coins. These coins are often sourced from reputable mints and can be a tangible asset for investors. They include but not limited to:
- 1oz Highland Mint Silver Round
- American Silver Eagle Coins
- Australian Silver Kangaroo Coin
- 1kg Australian Silver Coin
- Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
- American Gold Eagle Proof Coins
- Austrian Gold Philharmonic Coins
Precious Metals Bullion:
Noble Gold Investments may offer various forms of precious metals bullion, including gold bars and silver bars. Bullion means when silver or gold is in bulk before it is coined or valued by its weight.
Educational Resources:
The company provides educational materials and information to assist investors in making educated decisions about precious metals investments. This may include articles, guides, and other materials related to the precious metals market.
Storage Options:
Noble Gold Investments provides safe storage for precious metals obtained from them. This is particularly relevant for investors who prefer not to store physical metals at home.
Physical Gold and Silver Cash Purchases:
Noble Gold Investments presents clients with a variety of investment options for both gold and silver. They have traditional options like IRAs and 401(k)s, as well as the option to purchase physical gold and silver directly from them. This means that you can buy actual coins or bars made of gold and silver, instead of just investing in their value on paper.
By paying cash, you have more control over your purchase and can tailor it to fit your financial goals and needs.
It is important to note that physical purchases may incur additional charges such as storage and insurance. However, Noble Gold Investments prides itself on transparency and will work with you to find the best option for your individual situation.
How to Set Up a Gold IRA with Noble Gold Investments?
The process of setting up a gold IRA with Noble Gold Investments is straightforward and hassle-free. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step #1: Contact Noble Gold
The first step is to request a gold guide or get in touch with their team through their website or by phone. Someone from the company will be assigned to you as an assistant throughout the process.
Step #2: Discuss Your Goals
During the initial consultation, your account executive will ask about your financial goals and objectives. This is important as it allows the company to provide you with a personalized investment package according to your needs.
Step #3: Review Eligibility
Before proceeding, they will also review your eligibility for a gold IRA. This will depend on your age, employment status, and type of retirement account.
Step #4: Fund Your Account
The next step is to fund your IRA using a direct transfer or rollover from another retirement account. Noble Gold will handle all the paperwork and ensure a smooth process.
Step #5: Choose Your Metals
An area that clients like about Noble Gold Investments is their broad range of precious metals to choose from, which includes palladium and platinum in addition to the usual gold and silver. Your account executive can provide guidance on which metals may be best for your portfolio.
Step #6: Storage
Noble Gold works with only the most trusted and secure storage facilities to ensure your precious metals are always safe.
Step #7: Manage Your Account
Once everything is completed, you will receive regular updates from Noble Gold regarding the performance of your portfolio. Noble Gold’s team is always accessible to answer inquiries and offer continuing assistance.
What Can You Buy with Noble Gold Investments?
Noble Gold Investments has a wide selection of precious metal coins that can be purchased with your Metals IRA. These are some examples:
Gold Coins:
• American Gold Eagle
• Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
• South African Gold Krugerrand
Silver Coins:
• American Silver Eagle
• Austrian Silver Philharmonic
• Canadian Silver Maple Leaf
Pros and Cons of Noble Gold Investments
Pros
- Strong reputation
- Variety of options
- Low investment minimum
- Easy process
- Safe and secure Storage options
Cons
- Limited investment options
- Potential risks
- Limited availability
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Noble Gold?
A: Noble Gold is a precious metals investment company that specializes in the buying and selling of precious metals in the form of coins and bars. They specialize in assisting clients in diversifying their retirement portfolios using precious metals.
Q: How long has Augusta been in operation?
A: Noble Gold provides IRA rollovers and transfers, allowing clients to invest in gold and other precious metals through their retirement funds. This can add security and consistency to a retirement plan, especially during uncertain economic times.Augusta was founded in January 2012 with the aim of educating and empowering Americans to diversify their retirement portfolio.
Q: Why should I choose Noble Gold?
A: Noble Gold is well known for its outstanding customer service and knowledge of the precious metals market. They have a team of skilled professionals who can walk you through the process of investing in gold and other precious metals and ensure you make informed decisions. Noble Gold also provides competitive pricing and secure storage alternatives for your precious metal assets.
Q: Fees including minimum investment
A: Noble Gold provides IRA rollovers and transfers, allowing clients to invest in gold and other precious metals through their retirement funds. This can add security and consistency to a retirement plan, especially during uncertain economic times.Augusta was founded in January 2012 with the aim of educating and empowering Americans to diversify their retirement portfolio.
Fees including minimum investment
To initiate a gold IRA with Noble Gold, a minimum investment of $10,000 is necessary, accompanied by an $80 annual fee for maintaining the gold IRA. Additionally, there is an extra annual charge of $150 for the storage of your precious metals, utilizing one of the recommended depositories endorsed by the company.
Conclusion
Noble Gold Investments has established itself in the precious metals sector as a trustworthy and renowned organization. With a strong focus on education and personalized services, they have gained the trust of many investors looking to diversify their portfolios.
Birch Gold
Best for Hard Asset IRAs
Birch Gold Group was created in 2003 and is headquartered in Burbank, California. The company is known for its array of services, mainly related to gold IRAs.
Customers can open a brand new retirement account or roll over their existing one. Birch Gold is a precious metal dealer and offers bullion and coins in silver, gold, palladium, and platinum.
The company offers both IRA and non-IRA purchases. In the case of IRA purchases, you will have a range of secure depositories to store your precious metals while in the case of non-IRA, Birch Gold will offer you a completely insured shipping option to ensure your metal arrives safely.
If in the future you would like to sell your precious metal, the company may be willing to buy back your gold, thus saving you the trouble of finding a buyer.
What Does Birch Gold Offer?
Birch Gold can address all sorts of concerns you may have. The company offers a wide range of invaluable services such as storage of gold and other precious metals, assistance with retirement planning as well as bullion brokerage.
This company is known primarily for its gold and silver Ira and allows customers to benefit from tax-advantaged investment in gold as well as other precious metals.
Birch Gold allows for both IRA and non-IRA purchases and you can choose from the four main precious metals:
- Gold
- Silver
- Palladium
- Platinum
These metals IRAs are self-directed and allow you to invest in gold, which is impossible to do with other retirement accounts like 401(k).
How to Set up a Gold IRA with Birch Gold?
Setting up your gold IRA with Birch Gold is very simple, especially if you have an existing retirement account.
Here are steps to follow:
- Rollover your current IRA or 401(k): If you have an existing eligible IRA or 401(k), you can simply roll over the funds into your new investments in precious metals. Birch Gold gives you an option to transfer all or a portion of your investment into a gold IRA account. Birch Gold experts will guide you through and help you with the required paperwork.
- Create a new account: In case you don’t have an existing retirement account, you can create a new account with Birch Gold. A specialist from the company will help you create a new account.
- Choose your precious metal: Next, choose the precious metal you want to purchase. In addition to gold, you can also purchase silver, palladium, and platinum to diversify your portfolio.
What Can You Buy With Birch Gold?
You can buy a range of bullion and coins with your Birch Gold IRA account, including but not limited to the following:
- American Gold Buffaloes
- American Gold Eagles
- Canadian Gold Maple Leaves
- Silver Twin Maples
- American Silver Eagles
- Platinum Bars and Rounds
- American Platinum Eagles
- Palladium Bars and Rounds
- Canadian Palladium Maple Leaves
Storage Facilities
Finding secured storage for your physical gold IRA is important. Thankfully, Birch Gold has collaborated with some of the most reliable depositories to offer their customers secured storage solutions.
Birch Gold customers can store their precious metals with:
- Brink’s Global Services
- Delaware Depository
Pros and Cons of Birch Gold
Pros
- You have access to a wide range of precious metals
- Hard asset IRAs are also available
- A trusted company with many years of history
- Incredible customer service
- Comparatively lower minimum investment
- Lower fees
Cons
- Pricing structure not transparent
- Investing in a hard asset IRA can be risky
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will my investment with Birch Gold be tax-deferred?
A: Yes, you should expect this option if you choose to work with Birch Gold since all self-directed retirement accounts are generally eligible for tax deferral.
Q: Are my precious metals stored by Birch Gold?
A: No, Birch Gold has partnered with third-party storage depositories to offer their customers secure storage for their precious metals.
Q: Can I have an option to store physical gold myself?
A: If you invest in IRA, you are required to store your precious metal with a third-party depository. However, if you invest in non-IRA, you are at liberty to decide where to store your metals.
Fees Including Minimum Investment
Birch Gold has one of the lower minimum investments required, with $10,000. However, there are a number of fees to look out for including:
- Annual fees: $200 – $100 for management fees, $100 for insurance/storage
- Account setup fee: one-time $50 fee
- Wire transfer fee of $30
Additionally, Birch Gold also give a waiver for your first year’s fees for purchases over $50,000.
Conclusion
When you choose Birch Gold as your gold IRA company, you will get specialized help when investing in precious metals. The company has some of the lowest minimum required investments – $10,000.