What Is a Self-Directed Gold IRA? How to Buy Gold and Silver for Your Retirement Fund

Using a Self-Directed IRA for Gold and Silver: How to Invest in Precious Metals

Key Points

A Gold IRA is a type of Self-Directed IRA that you can use to invest in gold or other precious metals.

There are many benefits of investing in gold, including that it’s a hedge against inflation, it has consistently held value throughout history, and it’s a great portfolio diversifier.

Are you looking to invest in something tangible, like gold, silver, or other precious metals? Madison Trust's Self-Directed Gold IRA gives you the freedom to do just that!

It’s important to note that there are minimum fineness requirements and specific metals that you are able to invest in with a Self-Directed Gold IRA.

You can set up a Self-Directed IRA for gold and silver investments with Madison Trust in six simple and secure steps.

Are you looking to invest in something tangible, like gold, silver, or other precious metals? Madison Trust's Self-Directed Gold IRA gives you the freedom to do just that!

But what is a Self-Directed Gold IRA, and how is it different? Let us walk you through this great investment option.

What Is a Self-Directed Gold IRA?

A “Gold IRA” (sometimes also called a Precious Metals IRA) is a type of Self-Directed IRA, or Individual Retirement Account, that you can use to invest your retirement funds. While you would receive the same tax advantages as a standard IRA, the big difference is what you can invest in. With a standard IRA, you can invest in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. With a Self-Directed Gold IRA, you can expand beyond the traditional Wall Street assets and invest in gold or other precious metals.

Why Should I Invest in Gold?

There are several benefits to using a Self-Directed IRA for gold and silver investing:

Hedge Against Inflation

Throughout history, when the dollar's buying power decreases, gold's value tends to increase in response. This is why many investors flock to gold during periods of inflation.

Value Throughout History

Taking a look back in time, gold has historically kept its value. In addition, many see gold as a way they can pass on their family wealth to the next generation.

Diversify, Diversify, Diversify!

Gold can be an excellent asset to invest in to diversify your retirement portfolio because it tends to increase in value when stocks' and bonds' value falls and vice versa.

What Types of Precious Metals Can I Invest in?

With Madison Trust's Self-Directed Gold IRA, you can invest in several types of metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. It’s important to note that each of these metals has certain fineness requirements as per the Internal Revenue Code:

Gold: 99.5% pure

Silver: 99.9% pure

Platinum: 99.95% pure

Palladium: 99.95% pure

It’s important to note that if your precious metals investment is minted by the government (e.g. American Eagle coins), it does not need to meet the fineness requirements for a Self-Directed IRA for gold, silver, and other metals. But if your precious metals are not government-issued, then they need to be accredited and meet the fineness requirements.

How Do I Invest in Precious Metals With a Self-Directed IRA

Now that you know what types of metals you can invest in, you may be wondering how to buy gold in a Self-Directed IRA. Madison Trust has a secure and simple six-step process, and we work directly with FideliTrade and Delaware Depository on all gold IRA trades. This ensures that you are getting a fair price and gives you peace of mind, knowing that your metals are securely stored in Delaware Depository's vault.

Here's how to buy gold in a Self-Directed IRA and invest in other precious metals with us:

Open a Self-Directed IRA account with Madison Trust, and fund your account.

Open an account online with FideliTrade, a Delaware Depository Company.

Visit Fidelitrade's Products & Prices page to pick what you'd like to invest in and call to lock in your price.

Fill out the Trade Confirmation from FideliTrade & Investment Authorization Form from Madison Trust.

Madison Trust wires your funds to Delaware Depository.

Delaware Depository securely stores your precious metals.

Take this info on the go!

Download a PDF version of our Self-Directed Gold IRA investment process for your future reference.

Download Flowchart

Why Madison Trust?

Step-by-Step Guidance

If you're unsure where to get started with investing in gold, a knowledgeable member of our team will help you through the process, from opening your account to placing your investment.

Secure Investing

Madison Trust works with FideliTrade and Delaware Depository for all self-directedSelf-Directed IRA gold and silver investments. We want to ensure that our clients have the best investing experience possible.

Straightforward Fees

As your Self-Directed IRA gold and silver investments grow, your fees will stay the same. Among the lowest in the industry, our flat rates help ensure you will never pay more for investing in your future.

It's time to give your retirement funds the golden opportunity to grow with Madison's Self-Directed Gold IRA. If you'd like to get the investing process started or have more questions, our dedicated client support team is here to help! Contact us to learn more.

I’d Like to Learn More

Investing in Precious Metals with a
Self-Directed Gold IRA: FAQs

Can You Store Gold or Other Precious Metals at Home?

The safest approach to holding IRS-compliant precious metals is at an approved depository, such as Delaware Depository.

How Can I Withdraw Precious Metals?

Besides investing in precious metals, you can also withdraw your bullion and take direct physical possession of it. If you take a distribution before age 59½, you will have to pay tax and early distribution penalties. The type of metal you receive at distribution depends on how you select to store your metals (segregated or non-segregated).

Segregated Storage – the exact metal you purchased is what you will receive if you sell them or do an in-kind distribution.

Non-Segregated Storage – When you sell metals or complete an in-kind distribution, you may receive "like" metals, which are not the exact metals you purchased. For example, you may purchase 2018 silver American eagles. When you take a distribution, you may receive different 2018 silver American eagles or silver American eagles from a different year.

How Can I Transfer My 401(k) to Invest in Gold or Other Precious Metals Without Any Penalties?

First, you'll open a Self-Directed Gold IRA by filling out our online application.

If your 401(k) is from a former employer's plan, you will reach out to the employer or current plan administrator to request rollover paperwork.

Once the paperwork is processed, they will then issue a check or send a wire to your new Madison Trust Self-Directed Gold IRA.

When the funds are in your new Gold IRA, you can instruct Madison Trust to invest in the precious metals of your choice by following steps two through six in our six-step process.

How Is Gold Taxed in an IRA?

Just like an IRA for investing in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, you can open a Self-Directed Gold IRA as a Traditional or Roth IRA, and which one you choose affects how it's taxed.

With a traditional Self-Directed Gold IRA, you'd be saving on taxes now while contributing and paying taxes (based on your income rate) on the withdrawals that you take out later.

With a Roth Gold IRA, you'd be paying taxes on your contributions now (based on your current income), resulting in withdrawals that are tax-free later.

Ready to start investing in your future?

Reach out to our team, and we’ll answer any questions you may have.