A hedge that has kept its footing
Gold has held purchasing power across centuries of currencies, wars, and crashes. It moves on its own terms — often when paper assets falter — which is precisely why it steadies a portfolio.
Protected Retirement · Since Forever, Gold
One door tolasting wealth.
A calm, considered way to protect what you've built. Step through to physical gold, a gold IRA, and the alternative assets that have safeguarded wealth across every market — and every century.
IRS-approved
metals & storage
BBB A+
top-rated partner
$50,000
minimum to start
Editorial
ratings only
Why diversify with gold
Quiet, durable, and entirely yours.
Protecting wealth doesn't require noise. It requires owning something that endures. Four reasons thoughtful retirees place a portion of their savings in gold.
Diversification that isn't correlated
Stocks and bonds tend to move together when markets turn. A measured allocation to physical gold sits apart from that, smoothing the ride without abandoning growth.
Real assets, in your own name
A gold IRA holds IRS-approved metals you own outright, stored in an insured depository. Not a promise on a screen — bullion with a serial number, allocated to your account.
The same tax advantages you already have
Roll over an existing IRA or 401(k) without taxes or penalties when done correctly, and keep the tax-advantaged growth — only now diversified into a different kind of asset.
How it works
Four steps through the door.
The process is more straightforward than most expect. A specialist handles the paperwork; you make the decisions.
- 1
Open your account
Request the free guide and a specialist helps you open a self-directed IRA built to hold precious metals — typically in a single short call.
- 2
Fund or roll over
Transfer from an existing IRA or roll over a 401(k). Done as a direct, custodian-to-custodian move, it stays tax- and penalty-free.
- 3
Choose your metals
Select from IRS-approved gold and silver at transparent, spot-based pricing. No guesswork, no pressure, no hidden markups.
- 4
Store with a depository
Your metals ship to an insured, IRS-approved depository — Delaware Depository, Brink's, or Loomis — fully allocated in your name.
Real assets, in your name
Not a promise on a screen — bullion with a serial number, allocated to your account.
Every ounce is held in an insured, IRS-approved depository and owned within the tax-advantaged structure of your IRA.
2026 Editorial Rankings
The best gold IRA companies, ranked.
Our independent assessment of the dealers worth a place in your retirement — weighed on fees, transparency, storage, reputation, and buyback terms.
- 1
Editor's Choice · Featured Partner
Newmont Capital Group
Our top-rated featured partner: BBB A+ rated, transparent spot-based pricing, IRS-approved depository partners, and a no-obligation buyback commitment. Full details on newmontcapitalgroup.com.
Editorial score
4.9/ 5Account minimum
$50,000
- BBB A+ rating
- Transparent, spot-based pricing
- Delaware Depository, Brinks & Loomis storage
- No-obligation buyback commitment
- No-Fees-For-Life program on qualifying accounts
Sponsored link. We may be compensated if you open an account.
- 2
Augusta Precious Metals
Well-known brand with a strong educational focus; notably high account minimum.
4.5/ 5min $50,000
Details → - 3
Goldco
Large, established gold IRA provider with broad brand recognition.
4.3/ 5min $25,000
Details → - 4
American Hartford Gold
High-volume dealer with a low entry point and frequent promotions.
4.1/ 5min $10,000
Details → - 5
Birch Gold Group
Long-running dealer with a wide range of IRS-approved metals.
3.9/ 5min $10,000
Details →
Compare all companies →
Ratings are our independent editorial opinion, not user reviews.
Questions
Before you step through.
Straight answers to what people ask most. Still unsure? The free guide goes deeper, with no obligation.
What is a gold IRA?
A gold IRA is a self-directed individual retirement account that holds physical, IRS-approved precious metals instead of (or alongside) paper assets. The metals are stored on your behalf in an insured, IRS-approved depository and owned within the tax-advantaged structure of an IRA.
Can I roll over my 401(k) or existing IRA without penalties?
Yes. A direct, custodian-to-custodian rollover or transfer from an eligible 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or IRA into a gold IRA is generally not a taxable event and carries no early-withdrawal penalty when completed correctly. A specialist handles the paperwork to keep it compliant.
How much do I need to get started?
Account minimums vary by company. Our featured partner, Newmont Capital Group, has a $50,000 minimum. Other companies in our rankings start lower. The right minimum depends on your goals — the free guide explains how to think about allocation.
Where are the metals stored?
IRS rules require gold IRA metals to be held by an approved custodian at an approved depository — not at home. Common depositories include the Delaware Depository, Brink's, and Loomis, where your metals are insured and allocated in your name.
Are your rankings paid placements?
Our rankings reflect our own editorial judgment based on publicly available information. We do earn referral compensation from some companies, including our featured partner, as set out in our advertiser disclosure. Compensation can influence placement, but it does not change our editorial assessments.
Is gold a good fit for everyone?
No single asset suits everyone. Gold is a diversifier, not a guarantee, and precious metals carry risk including loss of principal. This site is educational and not personalized financial advice — consult a licensed professional before making decisions.
Free · No obligation
Your free guide to a gold-backed retirement.
A plain-English guide to protecting retirement savings with physical metals — plus a no-pressure consultation with our top-rated partner. Your information stays private.
- ✓How a gold IRA rollover actually works
- ✓IRS-approved metals & storage, explained
- ✓What fees to expect — and what to avoid