A precious metals IRA is an ordinary IRA with an unusual asset inside it.
There is no separate tax category for a gold or silver IRA. It follows the same contribution, distribution, and tax rules as any IRA. The difference is that it holds physical gold and silver bullion instead of funds, so it needs a self-directed custodian and an approved depository.
Find out what you have
Ask your plan administrator for your balance and whether a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer is available.
Free consultation
A short conversation about where your money sits and what you want to protect. We tell you honestly whether this fits.
Open the account
You open a self-directed IRA with American Estate & Trust. The custodian coordinates the transfer with your current provider, usually in a few weeks.
Choose your metal
You get a written proposal with products, quantities, and the all-in cost. When you approve, the custodian buys it and it ships to the depository in your name.
What the IRS permits you to hold.
Metal must meet a minimum purity and be held by the trustee, not at home. Collectible and rare coins generally do not qualify, however they are marketed.
| Metal | Minimum fineness | Common qualifying products |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | .995 (American Gold Eagle qualifies by statute) | American Gold Eagle, American Gold Buffalo, Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, approved refiner bars |
| Silver | .999 | American Silver Eagle, Canadian Silver Maple Leaf, Australian Silver Kangaroo, approved refiner bars |
Based on the Internal Revenue Code. Rules change and exceptions exist. Confirm your situation with a tax professional.
The difference that decides whether you owe tax.
The two terms get used as if they mean the same thing. They do not.
Direct transfer
- Money moves custodian to custodian and never touches your hands
- Generally not treated as a distribution
- No deadline, no withholding, no frequency limit
Indirect rollover
- A check is made out to you and a 60-day clock starts
- Employer plans generally withhold 20%
- Only one IRA-to-IRA rollover per 12 months
We recommend a direct transfer unless there is a specific reason not to.
Four costs. All of them in writing.
Any dealer unwilling to itemize every cost before you commit is telling you something important.
Account setup
One time, when the account is opened.
Annual custodian fee
Yearly, for administration and IRS reporting.
Storage and insurance
Annual, usually based on the value of the metal.
Dealer premium
What you pay above spot. Capped at 15% over spot, all in, quoted in writing before you commit.
What the premium costs on a $100,000 purchase
Simple arithmetic for illustration. Your actual quote is given in writing.
Three separate parties, on purpose.
No single party controls both the metal and the record of it.
American Estate & Trust
Holds the account, processes your instructions, files the IRS reporting, and coordinates the transfer. It does not give advice or vet a dealer.
IDS of Delaware
Receives, verifies, stores, and insures the metal, and reports holdings to the custodian. Your metal is never kept at home.
Anchor Silver Capital
Sources the metal, quotes the price in writing, ships to the depository in your name, and explains the process.
American Estate & Trust and IDS of Delaware are independent companies, not owned or controlled by Anchor Silver Capital.
Answers before you call.
Can I hold gold and silver in the same IRA?
Yes. Both are eligible, and many people hold both. They behave differently in price, volatility, and premium, so the mix is your decision with your own advisors.
Do I have to move my whole account?
No. A partial transfer leaves your existing account open and moves only the portion you choose, in any proportion. We are not licensed to tell you what share belongs in metal, and most people treat it as one part of a broader portfolio.
Can I keep the metal at home?
Not inside an IRA. The tax code requires the trustee to hold it, so it is stored at an approved depository. Metal you want in your own hands is bought outside an IRA, without the IRA's tax treatment.
What are the minimums?
IRA rollovers typically start at $25,000. Cash purchases for delivery to you start at $10,000.
How long does a transfer take?
Typically two to three weeks, depending on your current provider. The custodian coordinates it and you receive updates.
Is the consultation really free?
Yes. It is free and carries no obligation. We will tell you honestly whether a precious metals IRA fits your situation, including when it does not.
Is this tax advice?
No. We are a precious metals dealer, not a tax advisor or investment advisor. Confirm the treatment of your situation with a qualified tax professional before you move retirement money.
Get the handbook, then decide.
Read it first. Talk to a specialist when you are ready.
Send me the free handbookOr call (866) 818-7243