Find the Best Gold IRA Custodian for you or your loved one

• Investors can purchase gold through an IRA custodian when placing their gold IRA.
• Investing in gold through an IRA can be a safe-haven investment.
• A self-directed gold IRA allows investors to invest directly in physical gold, rather than investing in traditional assets such as stocks and bonds. Self-directed gold IRAs require investors to work directly with a custodian, either on their own or through a specialized firm.

Investing for retirement can be risky. Many investors choose to invest in gold, particularly in a self-directed gold IRA, as a hedge against market risk. Gold is considered a safe-haven asset, which means its value tends to rise when markets fall.
Investors purchase gold through an IRA custodian when placing their gold IRA. There are two types of IRA custodians: full-service and self directed.

Gold IRA Providers and Their Services

Gold IRA companies, such as Bullion Management Group Inc. (BMSG), specialize in helping investors protect their retirement assets.

Gold IRA custodians are also known as "trustees" – they are the financial institutions that hold the precious metals, stocks, and other investments in an IRA account.

Types of Gold IRAs

There is a dizzying array of gold IRAs on the market. It can be confusing to decide which one is best for you or your loved one.
Some custodians offer precious metals IRAs (which simply refers to an IRA that holds physical gold), but there are also other gold IRAs that hold other types of precious metals such as silver, palladium, or platinum.

Gold IRAs vs. Other Investment Accounts

Gold IRAs are popular among investors who are concerned about the stability of their retirement accounts. In a gold IRA, investors buy gold or gold coins and physically store them in an IRA account.
Investors can have their gold IRAs sold on an exchange or redeemed. The gold or coins are held in a depository account.

Gold IRAs versus Gold Bullion

Gold bullion consists solely of gold. The coin or bar does not have the backing of any financial institution, and it's value can vary greatly depending on supply and demand.
Gold IRAs are retirement accounts that allow citizens to invest in physical gold. The gold is housed in a trustee or custodian bank that backs the value of the gold.

1. Do They Provide a Free Evaluation?

One of the first and most important steps that must be taken before opening or buying an IRA or 401(k) is finding a reputable gold IRA custodian.
A free evaluation enables you to personally interview the custodian and ask them all of the questions that you may have.

2. Do They Give You a Free Account?
Many gold IRA custodians offer a free account.

3. Do They Have an Outstanding Reputation?
Find out if the gold IRA custodian you choose has an excellent reputation and has received awards from their peers or customers.

4. Do They Have Reputable References?
Ask the custodian you are considering if they have any references. Check their references and make sure they are legitimate.

5. Do They Guarantee the Value of Your Gold?
Be wary of any company that offers you a guarantee that the value of your gold will never go down. While no company can predict the future, reputable custodians should be able to give you a realistic estimate as to the likely future value of your gold.

6. Do They Help Find Tax Advisors?
Many gold IRA custodians will help you locate trustworthy tax accountants who understand gold IRAs.

2. Is Low Cost Gold Available?

Gold is an expensive metal, and it can be even more costly when it's stored or traded.
The price per ounce of gold, when stored or traded, can fluctuate a great deal. A gold IRA custodian, like Regal Assets, offers clients several ways to buy gold at a much lower cost.
Regal Assets offers clients several options for buying and selling gold, including:
Gold certificates

Gold ETFs

Gold bars

Gold coins

3. Are They Open 24/7?

A gold IRA custodian should be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each day of the week, there are 24 hours. For example, if you (the account holder) would like to rollover funds from your 401(k) to a traditional IRA, you need to find an IRA custodian who is available during traditional 401(k) business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday).

4. Do They Understand Gold and IRAs?

Gold IRAs, like other IRAs, are complicated. The best gold IRA companies understand that.
To be a good custodian, you must have a good grasp of how precious metals rollovers work, what it means when a company charges storage fees, and, most importantly, how to minimize taxes.

5. What Are Their Customer Service Ratings?

You want a custodian you can trust. That's why it's essential to find a gold IRA company that has an excellent track record for customer service.
How to find the best gold IRA custodian? Look for companies that get high ratings for customer service from customers on independent review websites like TrustLink and the Better Business Bureau. If the company gets high ratings, it's likely to provide top-notch service. You should avoid companies that get low ratings.

6. Are They Transparent?

Transparency is a key concern when it comes to any retirement account, either traditional or gold.
Making sure you're working with a gold IRA custodian that keeps you in the loop and provides you with clear, concise answers to your questions is crucial. There's no point in working with a gold ira custodian that doesn't answer questions, or doesn't do so in a timely manner.

7. Do They Offer a Physical Gold Storage Program?

Most gold IRA providers offer a physical gold storage program. The gold is stored in a secure vaulting facility, and available when you need it. This type of gold storage program is known as allocated gold.
9. Do They Offer a Paper Gold Storage Program?
9. Do They Offer a Paper Gold Storage Program?
Not all gold IRA providers offer a physical gold storage program. Some offer only paper gold storage, also known as unallocated gold.
Paper gold is gold that has been allocated to your account, but stored in another location. It's considered less valuable than physical gold because it can be sold, and the bullion's value may never be recovered.

8. Are There Any Hidden Fees?

A reputable precious metals IRA custodian will never charge hidden fees. In fact, they will provide you with all the information you need up front. One of the reasons that precious metals investing is so popular is because of how transparent and upfront this process is. You shouldn't have to worry about hidden fees or unexpected costs when investing in a precious metal IRA.

9. Does Their Website Have Good Security?

Don't be fooled by gold IRA companies peddling their brand name and shiny advertisements.
First and foremost, a reputable gold IRA company should be certified by the NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors).
Second, this kind of gold IRA company will have a solid, secure website that is free of errors and malware.
Third, look for two-factor authentication for logging into an account and two-factor authentication for adding funds to your account.
Fourth, look up the company's accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). A gold IRA company should have an "A+" rating or equivalent.
Fifth, review the company's privacy and security policies.

Gold IRA: Should You Open One To Save For Retirement?

The Bottom Line

A gold IRA can be an excellent investment opportunity as well as a solid retirement vehicle. However, it's important to consider that there aren't many gold IRA providers to choose from, and many Americans can face obstacles opening a gold IRA, like traditional IRA providers that aren't open to their age group.