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Former U.S. Congressman Ron Paul is stepping back into the spotlight.

Earlier this year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote on X, “Would be great to have Ron Paul as part of the Department of Government Efficiency!”

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Musk, along with former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, are leading President-elect Donald Trump the new Department of Government Efficiency.

Paul, a longtime advocate for smaller government, appears eager to contribute. He recently announced on X, “Elon Musk asked me to advise the new Dept. of Government Efficiency. I’d love to help bring sanity back!”

Musk has set ambitious goals for reducing the federal budget with this new entity. Speaking at a Trump campaign event, Musk claimed he could cut “at least $2 trillion” from the federal budget, though he did not specify which areas he would target for these reductions.

Paul, who has spent decades championing limited government and fiscal responsibility, seems like a natural fit for the initiative.

But the 89-year-old isn’t just focused on this new venture. He’s also sounding the alarm about what he sees as an urgent risk.

“However, I still think Americans need to shield their retirement funds ASAP from this much bigger threat,” Paul warned in a post that linked to a letter addressed to his audience.

‘This can save your 401(k)’

In the letter, titled “My New Partnership With Elon Musk (This Can Save Your 401k),” Paul delved into Musk’s invitation while shining a spotlight on what he calls a ‘more urgent threat’ than Washington’s notorious wasteful spending: inflation.

“Yes, government waste is stealing your tax dollars. But inflation is stealing something far more precious — your life savings,” Paul wrote.

Inflation impacts everyone by eroding the purchasing power of money. For savers, this erosion can be particularly damaging, as it diminishes the real value of their accumulated funds over time, making it harder to achieve long-term goals like retirement.

Paul underscored how this problem has already taken a toll. “Government inefficiency may cost taxpayers billions. But inflation has already stolen 18% of your purchasing power since 2021,” he explained.

Indeed, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the U.S. Consumer Price Index has risen by 20% since the beginning of 2021, reflecting how inflation continues to drive up the cost of goods and services.

To combat this threat, Paul suggests diversifying savings into physical gold.

“Gold has been the ultimate protection against both government mismanagement and currency devaluation for thousands of years,” he wrote.

Gold is widely regarded as a hedge against inflation. Unlike fiat currency, the precious metal cannot be printed in unlimited quantities by central banks, and its value is not tied to a single economy or currency. These traits make gold a favored “safe haven” asset, particularly during times of economic uncertainty.

Investors seem to be taking note. So far in 2024, gold prices have surged by 28%, surpassing $2,600 per ounce.

When you open a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold, you get access to IRS-approved gold and silver bars and coins through your self-directed gold IRA account. You can also roll over existing 401(k) or IRA accounts into the precious metals IRA without any penalties.

If you’d like to convert an existing IRA into a gold IRA, Priority Gold offers 100% free rollover, as well as free shipping, and free storage for up to five years. Qualifying purchases will also receive up to $10,000 in free silver.

To learn more about how Priority Gold can help you save for your retirement, download their free 2024 guide on how to invest in precious metals or book a free consultation with one of their specialists.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Protect purchasing power

Paul isn’t alone in sounding the alarm about inflation. Experts across the political spectrum view it as a significant threat to America’s economic stability.

Larry Summers, former Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton, recently highlighted the issue on CNN, warning that “I am fearful that the Fed is going to be more like once burned, twice burned, rather than once burned, twice shy, on inflationary risks.”

If you share these concerns, it’s worth noting that gold isn’t the only asset investors use to shield themselves from inflation’s corrosive effects. Many have also turned to real estate.

In March 2022, just before U.S. inflation reached a decades-high peak, Musk advised: “It is generally better to own physical things like a home or stock in companies you think make good products, than dollars when inflation is high.”

Real estate offers a unique combination of stability and growth potential. During periods of inflation, property values often rise as the cost of materials and labor increase.

Additionally, rental income can provide a steady cash flow that adjusts to inflationary pressures, offering a hedge against the declining value of fiat currency.

You can tap into this market by investing in shares of vacation homes or rental properties through Arrived.

Backed by world-class investors including Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of vacation and rental properties, earning a passive income stream without the extra work that comes with being a landlord of your own rental property.

To get started, simply browse through their selection of vetted properties, each picked for their potential appreciation and income generation. Once you choose a property, you can start investing with as little as $100, potentially earning quarterly dividends.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.