- A cornerstone asset metals IRA (IRA) is an IRA in which the account holder’s investments are in precious metals such as gold, silver, palladium, and platinum.
- The account holder’s IRA custodian buys the metals for him or her.
- Cornerstone IRAs can be purchased from a number of companies.
A cornerstone asset metals IRA (ira) is an IRA in which the account holder’s investments are in precious metals such as gold, silver, palladium, and platinum. The account holder’s IRA custodian buys the metals for him or her. Cornerstone IRAs can be purchased from a number of companies.
Types of Metals in a Cornerstone Metals IRA
Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium are the four metals that can be purchased in a Cornerstone Metals IRA. The other types of investments within a Cornerstone Metals IRA include:
Precious stones
Precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium
Energy
Collectibles
Non-precious and rare metals
Traditional IRAs
A precious metals IRA is similar to a traditional IRA in that contributions are tax-deductible and the distributions are usually tax-deferred. A precious metals IRA is self-directed, meaning that you are ultimately in control of choosing your investments, including precious metals.
There are two types of precious metals IRAs:
A self-directed precious metals IRA (a gold IRA) allows you to invest in physical precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium.
A self-directed real estate IRA allows you to invest in real estate, precious metals, and alternative investments.
A traditional IRA allows you to contribute up to $6,000 per year.
A Roth IRA allows you to contribute up to $6,000 per year.
401(k)/IRA Rollover Plan
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans) allow employees to contribute a portion of their pre-tax income to their accounts. Once an employee is eligible to roll over their account to a self-directed IRA, they will have the ability to invest in a variety of assets, including precious metals, real estate, and alternative investments.
Roth IRAs and 401(k)s
If you’re considering investing in precious metals, a Roth IRA or 401(k) account may be your best bet.
In a Roth IRA, contributions are made with after-tax money, but qualified distributions in retirement are tax free. On the other hand, 401(k) contributions are made with pre-tax money, and qualified distributions in retirement are tax deferred.
Special Considerations
Because of recent regulatory changes, you are no longer able to use 401(k) funds from your former employer to invest in precious metals. These funds have traditionally provided safe depository for precious metals investments. But the IRS, which oversees 401(k) plans, recently mandated that the funds be invested only in “traditional” securities, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and cash.
However, there is another option: Invest in precious metals through an IRA.
A precious metals IRA is simply an IRA that includes precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. A custodian like Gold IRA Guide LLC (GIG) oversee the account, and you can purchase precious metals, mutual funds, or ETFs, which are held in a vault.
Gold IRA Guide LLC offers several IRA options, including:
Gold IRA: The custodian purchases and holds physical gold, silver, platinum, or palladium in a gold, silver, platinum, or palladium depository.
Gold Bullion IRA: The custodian purchases and holds gold bullion (bars), which are stored at a third-party depository.
Gold Bullion Direct: The custodian purchases and holds gold bullion (bars), which are stored at a third-party depository.
Equity-Indexed Gold IRA: The custodian offers equity-indexed gold that tracks the S&P 500.