By Mark Sandulli · Founder & editor · Updated October 13, 2026 · Not financial advice
A Gold IRA rollover moves money from an existing 401(k) or IRA into a self-directed IRA that holds physical gold. Done as a direct transfer between custodians, no tax is withheld and nothing is owed. Done wrong, it can trigger taxes and penalties.
The steps
- Pick a Gold IRA company to help buy the metal. Compare fees, minimums and buyback terms first: see our rankings.
- Open a self-directed IRA with a custodian. The company usually sets this up for you.
- Move the money by direct transfer. Your old plan sends funds straight to the new custodian. Never have the check made out to you.
- Choose your metal. Only IRS-eligible bullion is allowed (see below).
- The metal goes to an approved depository. You can't keep IRA gold at home.
Direct transfer vs. 60-day rollover
| Direct transfer | 60-day (indirect) rollover | |
|---|---|---|
| Who gets the money | Your new custodian | You, by check |
| Tax withheld | None | 20% from a 401(k); usually 10% from an IRA |
| Deadline | None | Must redeposit within 60 days |
| Limit | No limit | One IRA-to-IRA rollover per 12 months |
With a 60-day rollover from a 401(k), 20% is withheld, so you must make up that amount from your own pocket to roll over the full balance. Miss the deadline and the money is generally taxed, plus a possible 10% early-withdrawal penalty. Use a direct transfer.
What gold is allowed
- Gold must be at least 99.5% pure. The American Gold Eagle is a special exception.
- Collectible and rare coins are not allowed.
- Home storage is not allowed. In one court case, keeping IRA coins at home was treated as cashing out the whole account.
Costs to ask about, in writing: setup fee, yearly custodian fee, yearly storage fee, and the markup on the metal. The markup is usually the biggest cost and the least advertised. See Gold IRA fees explained.
Is it right for you? A Gold IRA costs more each year than simply buying coins, and gold can lose value. If you're moving a large share of your retirement savings, talk to a licensed financial or tax professional first.
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Top-rated Gold IRA companies
- 1. Augusta Precious MetalsScore 8.1/10 · $50,000 minimum · 1 BBB complaint in 3 yearsGet free guide
- 2. Noble Gold InvestmentsScore 7.4/10 · $20,000 minimum · 3 BBB complaints in 3 yearsGet free guide
- 3. GoldcoScore 6.4/10 · $25,000 minimum · buys back at market rateGet free guide
Scores from our published formula: fees, minimums, complaints, buyback and transparency. We may earn a commission from these links; it never changes a score.
This is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Sources: IRS: Rollovers of retirement plan and IRA distributions · IRA Financial: IRS-approved precious metals, 2026
About this guide
Written by Mark Sandulli, founder of BestGoldPrice.com. Mark is not a financial advisor, tax professional, attorney or precious-metals dealer. This guide is general information based on public sources, not financial, tax or legal advice, and it may contain errors or be out of date. Precious metals can lose value. Confirm prices, fees and rules with the company and a licensed professional before you buy. We may earn a commission from some links. Read our full disclaimer.
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