FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain answers about Silver IRA rollovers, physical silver purchases, the market, and how we work.
Silver IRA Basics
What is a Silver IRA?
A Silver IRA is a self-directed individual retirement account that holds physical silver bullion instead of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. The metal is held by an IRS-approved depository in your account's name.
How is a Silver IRA different from a regular IRA?
The tax treatment is identical. The difference is what the account holds: a self-directed IRA permits physical precious metals, which a standard brokerage IRA generally does not.
Can I roll over my 401k into a Silver IRA without penalty?
Yes. A direct rollover or trustee-to-trustee transfer from a qualified plan into a self-directed Precious Metals IRA is not a taxable event and carries no early withdrawal penalty.
Do I qualify for a Silver IRA?
A former employer 401k, traditional or Roth IRA, or annuity of $25,000 or more qualifies at any age. A current employer 401k generally requires age 59½ or older for an in-service distribution.
How long does the rollover process take?
Account setup takes roughly 15-20 minutes online. Funding typically takes 10-21 business days, depending on your existing plan administrator.
What silver products are IRA-eligible?
Silver must be .999 fine or better. American Silver Eagles, Canadian Silver Maple Leafs, Australian Silver Kangaroos, and .999 fine bars from approved refiners qualify.
Physical Silver Purchase
What is the minimum purchase?
$5,000 for physical silver delivered to your door. $10,000 for a cash purchase held in storage, and $25,000 for an IRA rollover.
What products do you sell?
American Silver Eagles, Morgan and Peace silver dollars, Canadian Maple Leafs, 10 oz and 100 oz bars, pre-1964 junk silver, and generic .999 rounds.
How is silver shipped?
Fully insured via Brinks, Loomis, or USPS Registered Mail, in discreet packaging. Signature confirmation is required on orders over $5,000.
Can I store my silver at a depository instead of at home?
Yes. We can arrange allocated storage at Delaware Depository — your specific bars or coins held in your name, fully insured, with online access.
What is a premium over spot?
Spot is the price of raw metal. The premium covers minting, distribution, and dealer margin. We quote the all-in price — metal, premium, and shipping — before you commit.
The Silver Market
Why is silver up so much recently?
Historically, the move has been attributed to sustained industrial demand, a multi-year supply deficit, and investor demand for hard assets. We do not predict future prices.
What is the gold-to-silver ratio?
It is how many ounces of silver it takes to buy one ounce of gold. The long-run historical average sits around 60:1.
Why does silver have a supply deficit?
Mine output has been roughly flat for a decade while industrial demand climbed. About 70% of silver is a byproduct of copper, zinc, and lead mining, so supply does not respond quickly to silver's price.
Is silver a good inflation hedge?
Historically, hard assets have tended to retain purchasing power better than currency over long periods. Silver is also more volatile than gold. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Working With Us
How do I get started?
Request a callback or call (866) 818-7243. A specialist reviews your situation and explains your options in about ten minutes.
Do you charge for consultations?
No. Consultations are free and carry no obligation.
Are you a licensed precious metals dealer?
Anchor Silver Capital LLC is a California-registered precious metals dealer. We are not a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer.
What are your fees?
Equity Trust account fee is $80-100 per year. Delaware Depository storage runs approximately 0.10-0.15% of metal value annually with a $100-150 minimum. Dealer premium varies by product and volume and is always quoted before purchase.
What is your buyback policy?
We will quote to repurchase metals we sold you at the prevailing market bid, with no buyback fee. You are never obligated to sell back to us.