Gold IRA How-to: Who are the parties I need to work with to invest my IRA in gold?

Most people don't know that their Individual Retirement Account can be legally invested in almost any type of asset except collectibles and life insurance.  That means you can invest your retirement funds in precious metals like gold, silver, platinum and palladium—and it's a relatively easy process. 

There are four players involved when using your IRA to purchase precious metals:  The IRS, a Self-Directed IRA Provider like New Direction IRA, a Precious Metals Dealer and a Precious Metals Depository.

1. The IRS. In return for the special tax status that retirement accounts receive, the IRS sets some parameters that need to be followed.  First, your IRA is allowed to purchase metals as a commodity but cannot purchase collectible coins.  Therefore, graded coins cannot be purchased.  However, the IRS does specifically allow U.S. minted American Eagles that have not undergone grading. 

Second, there is requirement for the fineness or purity of the metals (note that these requirements do not apply to American Eagle coins):

.995 for Gold

.999 for Silver

.9995 for Platinum and Palladium

Third, your IRA cannot buy or sell your metals from a disqualified person. Disqualified persons include you, your spouse, your ascendants, descendants and their spouses.

2. Self-Directed IRA Provider. A self-directed IRA provider that allows assets like precious metals will help make you aware of IRS requirements as well as perform record keeping for your account.  If your retirement funds are not currently with an IRA provider that allows precious metal investing, you will likely be able to move your funds without a tax penalty to a provider that does allow precious metals.  It is a good idea to set up your self-directed IRA and fund it before negotiating your purchase with a metals dealer. The prices of metals are volatile and brokers are not likely to lock in a price for a long period of time.

3. Precious Metals Dealer/Broker. Self-direction of your retirement account means that you get to select a precious metals dealer with whom you are comfortable.  Due diligence is your responsibility, but once you’re satisfied with your selection, you agree on the deal and direct the IRA provider to fund your purchase. 

4. Precious Metals Depository. The IRS restricts you from keeping your IRA-owned metals in your physical possession.  They must be held in a depository for safe-keeping but the selection of this storage site is up to you.  Factors that you might consider include fees, segregated vs. non-segregated storage, facility location and insurance levels.

Now that we’ve identified the four players involved and established some expectations about their roles, it is time to start putting together your new Precious Metals IRA.  For more detailed information, please visit www.newdirectionira.com or call us toll free at (877) 742-1270.

Financial Planners: How to help your client's IRAs invest in gold and precious metals

Self-directed IRAs allow control of one’s retirement investments. Clients can benefit from self-directed IRAs by reducing their taxes while enhancing their asset protection and estate planning. With this insight, your clients can unlock their own investment expertise, making tax-free or tax-deferred investments in assets they may know and understand personally.

Many financial professionals have concerns about their clients holding precious metals in an IRA. Part of what we do at New Direction is simplify and clarify the process so investors can make smart decisions about their IRAs.

There are three parties an investor needs to choose in order to hold a gold IRA: a self-directed IRA provider, a precious metals dealer and a depository.

A self-directed IRA provider like New Direction IRA will set up an IRA for your client that allows precious metals, provide education on IRS requirements and perform record keeping for the account. Investors can move their funds without a tax penalty to a provider that does allow precious metals if they currently have an IRA.

With a truly self-directed retirement account, your client can select a precious metals broker with whom they are comfortable. Due diligence is your client’s responsibility. Dealer fees, shipping and handling charges are also likely to be incurred.

Your client must choose a depository in which to store his metals. Clients should consider fees, segregated storage, facility location and/or insurance levels. The depository will charge for their storage services.

There are also strict regulations about which metals an IRA may hold. IRAs may only purchase gold, silver, platinum and palladium products approved by the IRS. You can view the full list of allowed and disallowed metals here and share that list with clients.

Financial professionals also may be concerned about their clients self-dealing assets. Indeed, an investor who’s IRA owns precious metals does not personally own the metals and cannot physically handle those assets. New Direction provides education to investors so that they know what constitutes self-dealing and how to stay within IRS code.

After our client decides to invest his IRA in precious metals, it’s simple to get started. The investor will open and fund the account via contribution, transfer or rollover. Then he’ll select his dealer and depository. Then, he’ll direct the provider to fund the purchase and the metals will be sent to the chosen depository.