Perhaps you've heard about precious metals investments several times in recent years. They are making a loud noise in the investment industry due to their ability to retain value even during economic problems.
The world faces many issues concerning inflation and the dollar's weakening. This leads more people to protect their hard-earned funds and invest them in assets that will keep their value for the next decades.
What is a better way than to invest them in precious metals? Based on our first-hand experience, listed below are the best gold investment companies in the country today.
Top 5 Gold IRA Companies of 2023 At A Glance
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1. Goldco: Editor's Choice - Best and Most Trusted Gold IRA Company Overall (4.9/5)
2. American Hartford Gold: Runner up - Best Price for Bullion (4.8/5)
3. Augusta Precious Metals: Great Buyback Program (4.6/5)
#1 Goldco: Editor's Choice - Best and Most Trusted Gold IRA Company Overall (4.9/5)
Why We Chose It:
Goldco has been in the precious metals industry for so long, so it's not a surprise to see them among the top gold IRA investment companies in the United States.
Suppose you are considering investing in a self-directed gold IRA or any other tax-advantaged savings account. In that case, you can speak with a Goldco Specialist to learn more about setting up your precious metal IRAs.
We have found from using this product that Goldco allows its customers to purchase precious metals directly from them. Their gold and silver professionals can help you determine what kind of precious metals would work best for you. You can customize your account based on your preferences and risk tolerance.
This company has thousands of positive reviews online from platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which gave them an A+ rating, and the Business Consumer Alliance (BCA), with an AAA rating. Many people have praised them for handling their clients and their ethical business conduct, and there is a dependable IRA company in the industry.
Some of the gold coins they have available:
- Gold Wright Flyer
- Gold Washington Monument
- Gold Australian Sea Turtle
- Gold Australian Sea Turtle
- Gold American Bald Eagle
- Gold Phoenix
- Gold Liberty
- Gold Valor
- more...
Silver coins available
- Silver Columbus
- Silver Remembrance Day
- Silver Littoral Battleship
- Silver Liberty Bell
- Silver Mighty Mo
- Silver Wright Flyer
- Silver The Grand Canyon
- and many more...
In addition to that, Goldco earned the Stevie Company of the Year Award during the 19th Annual American Business Awards in 2021. They were recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the country by the Inc. 5000 review in the last few years.
We discovered that Goldco also offers platinum and palladium bullion, but most of their products are IRS-approved gold and silver coins. If you choose to work with them, you can get access to their educational materials, including books and videos, that could help you create an excellent precious metals IRA strategy to ensure your funds' value.
Goldco offers two primary services to their clients: physical precious metals and precious metals IRA.
For the precious metals IRA, they can help you set up a gold IRA account to diversify your retirement portfolio. This can be pretty overwhelming for some people, but don't worry because they will be with you throughout the process.
You can transfer your funds from an existing IRA into your gold individual retirement accounts. Our findings show that you can also do a gold IRA rollover for the tax advantages.
Once the self-directed IRA account is funded, you can start selecting the IRS-approved precious metals you'd want to invest in. Remember that not all physical gold and silver coins and bars are available for an IRA because the IRS provides a standard you must follow.
Gold coins and bars must have at least .995 purity before being invested in a self-directed IRA. Goldco works with mints worldwide to ensure the quality of its products.
If you prefer investing in precious metals by purchasing physical gold and silver investments for your safekeeping, Goldco also provides that service. You can have these precious metals delivered to your front doors or shipped to an insured depository near you. If you qualify for their requirements, you may even get free storage.
Goldco has almost every type of precious metal that you would want. If you ever decide to liquidate your precious metals, they also have a buyback program that offers the highest price for your precious metals with their Goldco Buyback Guarantee.
Goldco's minimum investment cost starts at $25,000. This is relatively lower than Augusta Precious Metals, but some people may still find this steep. If you want to know more about their offerings, it's best to contact them directly.
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#2 American Hartford Gold: Runner up - Best Price for Bullion (4.8/5)
Why We Chose It:
One reason American Hartford Gold remains among the leading gold IRA company in the country is their valuable and unique service to their clients. They make investing in precious metals easy and hassle-free, making it a better experience for people interested in investing in various physical precious metals assets. They also offer options for their commodities, storage, and insurance alternatives.
Many people recognize this company for their excellent customer service. If you are a beginner in the precious metals industry, you should consider working with American Hartford Gold. Although they do not have platinum IRA and palladium IRA, they have many product options for gold and silver.
When we trialed this product, we surely loved their relatively lower minimum investment cost, which starts at $10,000. This allows more people to begin their journey with precious metals investment at such a considerable price. American Hartford Gold has a great reputation in the precious metals industry, so you can ensure your retirement savings will be in good hands.
Our analysis of this product revealed that the company charges a fixed cost of 1% per transaction. This includes buying or selling gold and silver, and they would add that percentage to the total amount of the transaction. For example, if you purchase gold and silver for $10,000, there would be a fee of $100. That also applies when you sell the same $10,000 worth of gold and silver.
American Hartford Gold provides immediate deliveries on all orders with no additional charges. They also offer accessible storage options for all their clients, ensuring overall customer satisfaction.
Their live chat is always available for contact if you have questions or concerns that need to be addressed. You can even send emails and letters if that is your preferred contact.
The company currently offers precious metal coins and bars minted in America, Australia, Canada, China, and England.
>>> Click here for Free Gold IRA Kit <<<
#3 Augusta Precious Metals: Great Buyback Program (4.6/5)
Why We Chose It:
Augusta Precious Metals has consistently proven to be perhaps the country's best gold IRA investment company. They genuinely understand financial preparation's importance and want to help their clients build a good portfolio for their retirement funds.
One of the many things clients love about this company is their commitment to educating clients. Not everyone has enough knowledge of precious metals, even those with years of investing experience. That is why Augusta Precious Metals need to spread its cause and get more people to have a secured backup plan for their savings.
If you choose to work with Augusta Precious Metals, you can attend their exclusive web conference to teach you everything that there is to know about gold IRA. This includes their costs, gold IRA fees, current inflation, how they are affected by the economy, and ways you can avoid fraud from high-pressure tactic sales.
Augusta Precious Metals refer to their company representatives as customer success agents, who all have admirable skills and knowledge regarding precious metal IRAs. Unlike most gold IRA companies, our investigation demonstrated that they keep up with the latest trends surrounding gold IRAs, silver IRAs, and other alternative investment assets.
Drawing from our experience, this company treats its customers as more than just for the transactions. They truly want you to succeed, so they offer continuous service to help people know and fully understand how precious metals portfolio diversification works. Their approach is never meant to scare you but to build a lasting relationship founded on loyalty, trust, and peace of mind.
Setting up an account with Augusta Precious Metals is easy and fast. They work with a gold IRA custodian to help start your self-directed gold IRA. Once it's done, you can now begin transferring or rolling over your funds from a traditional IRA to your new one before you can start choosing your precious metals bullion.
The good thing about working with this company to set up your precious metals IRA is that you will never be alone. You can get a dedicated customer success agent to guide you with everything and satisfy whatever your account needs.
Augusta Precious Metals wants you to succeed. Their team will always be by your side, helping you with the paperwork, custodian conversations, fund transfers, and storage facility. They will also answer all your inquiries regarding physical gold and silver investment prices.
At every transaction, there will be a confirmation team that will wrap it up. They will verify your gold bullion orders and details on a recorded voice call so you and the company can ensure nothing will be left out.
The company has some of the best prices on gold bullion, silver bullion, premium gold coins and bars, and more. Keep in mind that they don't include a commission on their listed gold prices, and that is something that you should talk about with your order desk quote. The prices of precious metals can also fluctuate, so you will have to wait for the confirmation call to finalize the price of your orders.
Augusta Precious Metals require a minimum investment of $50,000 on their IRA products before you can open an account with them. Many investors find this steep, especially if there are just starting with precious metals. However, you can always ensure that your money invested in the company will remain secure until your retirement.
They have an excellent buyback program that you can take advantage of and lifetime support for your account. If unsure, you can also look for reviews from their verified customers on platforms like the Business Consumer Alliance and Better Business Bureau.
>>> Click here for Free Gold IRA Kit <<<
#4 Birch Gold Corporation: Great Staff Overall (4.5/5)
Why We Chose It:
Birch Gold Group has been in the industry for almost twenty years, which gives them an edge against other gold IRA investment companies. They make sure to deliver the best possible service to their clients. You will also find it valuable that this company offers all four precious metals: gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
This company is known for its expertise in the field. Based on our observations, their skills are backed by the depth of knowledge throughout the years of their service and their commitment to providing stellar customer service in the world of precious metals investment.
Birch Gold Group sets a standard for education, ethics, empathy, efficiency, transparency, and customer empowerment. They believe that responsiveness cultivates trust and lasting relationships, so you can expect them to always be at your reach whenever you have questions or concerns about your account. In this way, you can also make informed decisions instead of just pursuing things based on what seems right.
After trying out this product, you can expect Birch Gold Group to work by your side and keep you updated with all the risks and benefits of precious metals investments. They can also give you tips on avoiding schemes and scams that might compromise the retirement savings you've worked on for years.
The good thing about self-directed IRAs is that you can always move at your speed. After putting it to the test, you can browse all you want on their website before picking up the phone to talk with one of their specialists. Birch Gold Group will support you in your decisions and would like you to feel empowered when diversifying your retirement portfolio.
One thing you will love about Birch Gold Group is that you are more than just a spreadsheet for them. They see you as a unique individual with goals and plans for the future. If your investment journey encounters bumps, there will be a specialist you can trust to help you achieve that peace of mind once again.
Birch Gold Group's client ratings are proof of how good of a service this company provides. They have excellent ratings from different platforms, including BBB, TrustLink, and BCA.
If you value knowledge and education more than everything, you can experience all that with Birch Gold. Each person has unique qualities that should be considered when curating a diversified portfolio, and they understand that.
Our team discovered through using this product that starting a gold IRA account with this company is so much easier. Their custodial fees may vary based on your purchased assets. However, you can still benefit from their promotions that involve free products and zero gold IRA fees, depending on the amount of your transfer or investment.
Birch Gold requires a minimum investment of $10,000 on your initial account setup. This is within the considerable price of precious metals investments and relatively lower compared to other gold IRA companies. Your dedicated specialist can provide you with a buyback quote on your assets.
This company built its reputation way up from its customer service. Their goal is to provide satisfaction with every transaction, and they were able to make that happen.
Today, Birch Gold Group remains among the most trusted gold IRA investment companies in the United States.
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#5 Red Rock Secured: Best at Home Gold IRA (4.2/5)
Why We Chose It:
Red Rock Secured is a trustworthy and reliable investment partner. With a focus on exceptional customer service, secure solutions, and educating investors, this firm has been helping individuals diversify their retirement portfolios for over a decade. Founded on solid morals and ethics, Red Rock Secured is the perfect choice to help secure your retirement future.
>>> Click here for Free Gold IRA Kit <<<
Why You Should Invest in a Gold Investment Company
Gold IRA investments have many benefits to a retirement portfolio, which is why they continue to become more popular these days. Through our trial and error, these are some of the advantages that you can get if you choose to invest in gold and other precious metals:
The Rising Price of Gold
Gold is a relatively safe investment compared to most assets. They are not as volatile as stocks and mutual funds, making them good assets for long-term investments.
You need to know that if the value of dollars plunges, the price of gold is more likely to increase. The continued inflation may cause the value of precious metals to skyrocket in the coming years, and it is something that you should consider.
Also, always go with a reputable gold IRA company to buy precious metals at a reasonable price. They are also highly likely to provide a buyback program to help you with the liquidation later.
Long-Term Safeguarding and Protection
The good thing about precious metals is that they will always be significant in any economy. They have been used as currency and a symbol of wealth for hundreds of years. Nowadays, their primary purpose lies in industrial applications.
Innovations in technology require gold, silver, platinum, and palladium to progress. This makes them an essential component no matter what happens to the world.
Most experts suggest that gold investing and other precious metals will provide long-term stability to any retirement portfolio. Having a backup plan while you build your wealth is always better.
Diversification
Investing in precious metals is an effective way to diversify your portfolio. It is essential to have several types of assets in your retirement portfolio, which includes alternative investments, so you always have a backup plan in case one market crashes.
Precious metals are rarely affected by major economic downturns, so you can expect them to be around the initial value you invested even after years in storage. They are relatively low risk compared to other types of investment assets.
Tax Benefits
Do you know that precious metals IRAs also have unique tax advantages? You can choose to earn from your gold IRA either tax-free or tax-deferred, which is based on the type of IRA you choose.
You can learn more about this upon a discussion with your gold IRA custodian. You have to follow rules to benefit from this advantage, such as contribution limits and more. You can delay the payment of the taxes from your money or not pay for them at all.
Things You Should Be Aware Of Before Opening A Gold Investment
Many factors come with opening a gold investment. Although most of the rules covering this alternative investment asset are the same as a traditional IRA, it still comes with limitations and rules you must know about. They are as follows:
Fees and Expenses
Gold IRA investments have a different fee structure than other assets, which may vary depending on the company you are working with. Many gold IRA providers offer competitive pricing in the market, and it's all up to you on which one of them you want to pursue your precious metals investments with.
Some even offer special deals, like waived setup fees, free products when you reach a certain amount of investment, and discounts on annual fees. Before working with them, you should research the available fees and expenses you can expect even from the best gold IRA companies.
No Yield, No Dividends, No Interest
One important thing you should know about precious metals is that they will have no income. The primary purpose of investing in this type of asset is to secure your retirement funds. Even though some markets may crash because of inflation and other economic downturns, precious metals will never have zero value because their value is not tied to any currencies.
Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium are better for long-term investments. In some cases, their value can grow depending on their current demand in the market and other industries. These precious metals are rare and finite, so even if you leave them in your account for a few decades, you can expect to get something from them once it's liquidated.
Fraud and Theft
Many fraudulent activities surround investments, and scammers would do anything to get a hold of your money. You must be careful when buying precious metals and only transact with a legal company and custodian. If you deal with non-reputable dealers, you can risk your money to fraud and theft.
Always keep track of all receipts and records as you go. In this way, you always have proof of all your transactions.
Buyer's Guide to Investing in a Gold Investment
Precious metals are one of the best ways to diversify your retirement portfolio because it provides stability in the long run. If you look at the long-term, gold, silver, platinum, and palladium are less volatile than traditional assets.
The good thing about them is that they will always have intrinsic value. Precious metals are rare and finite, and their demand from different industries and applications has secured their deal for hundreds of years.
If you allocate some of your retirement savings to precious metals, you can know that they will always be there. It may still change in value based on market fluctuations, but it is a good idea for an alternative investment asset.
To give you a better understanding of gold investment as per our expertise, here's a quick guide that you can check out:
Speak with a Financial Advisor or Lawyer
If you're interested in precious metals, you should first speak with a lawyer or financial advisor.
Why? Well, investments can be pretty risky, especially for beginners. You need to know first which investment vehicles would work best for you.
Each account has certain limitations that you should know, and it's best to know them before gold investing. This way, you can avoid getting into trouble if you encounter something unfamiliar.
Talking to a lawyer or a trusted financial advisor can ensure you can work with top gold IRA companies. Keep in mind that there would be relevant tax implications that come with these investments.
Review Current News for Fraud Alerts
Where money is concerned, know there would be a lot of fraud and scams that would entice you to give them all of your money. That is why it is essential to do your responsibility as an investor to stay up to date with the current fraud tactics in finance.
You can stay aware of these activities with the Better Business Bureau and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. You must keep watch of these organizations when you're starting your investment journey with precious metals.
If you are already on your retirement, be careful about who you will sell your assets to. In some cases, even the best gold IRA companies do not offer buyback programs, which would force you to find buyers on your own. If your precious metals IRA dealer provided you with educational materials that include fraud, remember those signs when doing unregulated transactions.
For example: If someone offers to buy your asset quickly for more than they are worth, that's a sign not to pursue the transaction. You should always be careful when it's savings that are concerned.
Find a Gold Investment Custodian and Establish the IRA
Self-directed IRAs require a custodian that will help you with the management of the account. There are also specific laws that control how you can navigate an IRA, and your custodian will help you with all the transactions and paperwork needed to meet the standards provided by the IRS.
Your custodian will ensure you are always on track with your IRA contributions. There are yearly limits that vary depending if you are over or under 50 years old.
In some cases, many gold IRA companies offer custodial services. If you invest in precious metals with these companies, you can get them to be your custodian. However, they come from banks, mutual fund companies, trust companies, and brokerage firms.
The primary duty of your custodian is to send you the necessary paperwork to have them signed.
Remember that you'll need to pay a separate annual fee to your custodian. This covers all their work for the transaction and the management of your IRA account.
Establish and Fund the IRA
Once you are set with your custodian, you can decide how to fund the account. You can make a single full payment to your gold IRA provider or make a regular contribution. Some companies will allow you to do both, and you'll have to inquire with them to know more about it.
You should discuss what would work best for you with your custodian or a trusted financial advisor. It also depends on where your money is located.
It's good to have the money you need that you can pay for immediately. If the funds are in an existing IRA, you can transfer or rollover to fund your precious metals IRA account. You just have to note the rules and regulations surrounding these funding methods.
Invest in Precious Metals via the IRA
If the IRA is already funded, it is ready to acquire precious metals. There are many companies where you can invest in different kinds of precious metals, mainly focusing on gold and silver bullion.
The precious metals they offer are mostly IRS-approved, meaning that they meet the standard provided by the Internal Revenue Service. However, you can still purchase non-IRA products from them.
You should know that home storage for IRA purchases is strictly prohibited, but you can keep non-IRA precious metals in your home. They also work as a strong hedge against inflation but are not as protected, insured, and regulated by an IRA purchase.
Gold Investment Rollovers
A gold IRA rollover is among the basic concepts of the alternative investment process. This happens when your funds to purchase the precious metals are in another traditional IRA, typically 401(k)s and 403(b)s.
You must add a transfer request form when applying for a specific gold IRA company account. Gold IRA rollovers usually take up to two weeks, and there will be a 60-day duration when you are required to complete the transaction.
For the direct transfer, your custodian can send a check to your chosen top gold IRA companies so they can assist you with your purchase. On the other hand, the check will arrive to you in your name when using indirect transfer. To avoid penalties, you must forward the check to your precious metals IRA provider within 60 days.
If you somehow go beyond the deadline without completing the transfer, you will be subject to a 10% tax penalty, which will be considered an early withdrawal.
401k Gold Investment Rollovers
People who have an existing 401(k) can use their funds in the accounts to acquire precious metals through gold IRA rollovers. This makes it easy for some people to have money for their gold IRAs.
5 Things You Must Look For When Choosing A Gold Investment Company
Choosing gold IRA providers can be challenging because most offer great features and excellent reputations. Thus, these are the essential factors that you should look out for when choosing a gold investment company:
Ratings
The ratings and reviews that are available online can help you get an idea of how they treat their clients. The internet forums will tell you if you can trust a particular company for its products.
The most reliable platforms you can dive into include the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This site is trusted for its unbiased ratings and shows customers if they can trust particular companies. They also allow people to lay down their comments and complaints.
IRA Fee Structure
The fee structure varies per company; you must choose one that provides transparency. The fees often include an initial setup fee, insurance fees, maintenance fees, and more.
Before signing up, you should first inquire with many gold IRA companies about their pricing structure to ensure no hidden fees. In this way, you can also know what you will pay if you continue with the account and prepare for it.
Efficiency and Delivery Time
Another thing that you should consider is how quick is their delivery time, as this factor will show you how efficient they are as a company. It's best if their transactions and processing are quick because you don't want to waste your time.
Most large and reliable gold IRA companies are known for being efficient and quick with their services. You can transport your precious metals in an armored truck or pick them up at a nearby branch if you have non-IRA orders from a gold investment company.
Pushy Salesmen or Unfriendly Customer Support
You should watch for people who use high-pressure tactics to push to invest in their company. This can indicate that it's just your money that they are after. Even if their sales tactics are intimidating and scary, it is essential to take the time to consider their service.
When it is your money concerned, avoid making rash and impulsive decisions. They would want to pressure you, so you won't have time to think about your actions. You should leave if you notice even the first sign of high-pressure tactics.
They do this because they earn money from commissions. The more products you buy with their help and reference, the greater their earnings will be.
Go with a company that is pleasant to talk with. It would be better to talk about your financial status with people who are easy to talk with and clear any misconceptions you might have in mind.
Other Alternative Investment Options Available
It is good if a gold IRA investment company has other alternative investment options besides precious metals. This includes cryptocurrency, stocks from mining companies, and more.
Final Thoughts - Best Gold Investment Companies
Among the companies listed above, there's no doubt that Augusta Precious Metals is the best gold IRA company to consider. They have a good reputation in the industry, and all of their clients love their service and high-quality products.
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We determined through our tests that a good gold IRA company provides transparency and honesty in its service, and Augusta Precious Metals embody that. The only thing that makes people think twice when investing in this company is its high minimum initial investment cost. Aside from that, there's no reason you should not choose Augusta Precious Metals as your gold IRA provider.
If you are still unsure how to decide which of the best gold IRA companies is the one for you, read the whole article! Through our practical knowledge, we discussed everything you should know before investing in precious metals.
