By Mark Sandulli · Founder & editor · Updated October 14, 2026 · Not financial advice
Our score · #4 of 5 Gold IRA companies
Low published fees and a $10,000 minimum, but the highest complaint rate we track and a recent regulatory settlement over fees.
Score includes a 2.0-point deduction for regulatory action; without it, 7.7. We may earn a commission from this link; it never changes our review. How we make money.
Short answer: Lear Capital has the lowest published fees of the companies we rank and a $10,000 minimum. It ranks #4 because of the highest complaint rate we track and a regulatory record: state regulators said it didn’t fully disclose fees, and its 2023 bankruptcy plan paid $5.5 million to investors.
How we reviewed it: we scored this company with our published Gold IRA formula using its published fees, minimum, Better Business Bureau record (checked October 14, 2026) and buyback terms, plus independent reviews listed under Sources. We have not opened an account with this company ourselves.
Key facts
| Our score | 5.7 / 10 (#4 of 5); 7.7 before the regulatory deduction |
| In business since | 1997 |
| Minimum | $10,000 |
| First-year fees | $235 ($50 setup, often waived; $235 yearly) |
| Yearly fees | $235 shared storage, or $285 segregated |
| Metals | Gold, silver, platinum and palladium |
| Buyback | At market rate, no fees |
| BBB | A+ · 32 complaints in 3 years (21.3 per 100 reviews) |
What we like
- Lowest published fees we rank
- $10,000 minimum
- Fees posted online
- Buyback at market rate with no fees
- All four IRS-approved metals
What to watch
- Highest complaint rate we track
- Regulators said it didn’t fully disclose fees (see below)
- Fee waivers are tied to buying limited-mintage coins, which usually carry bigger markups
- No live chat
Fees
Lear posts its fees online: a $50 setup fee and about $235 a year ($285 with segregated storage). Fee waivers, including up to three years free on larger accounts, are tied to buying limited-mintage coins. Those coins typically cost much more over spot than plain bullion, so a “free” year can cost you more overall.
These fees don’t include the markup on the metal itself, which is usually the biggest cost of a Gold IRA and is rarely itemized. Ask for the price over spot in writing before you sign. Gold IRA fees explained →
Regulatory record
State regulators said Lear Capital urged investors to cash out retirement savings without fully disclosing its fees. Its 2023 bankruptcy plan paid $5.5 million to investors who bought between January 2016 and March 2022, and Lear agreed to stop misrepresenting its fees (California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation). Under our formula, that costs it 2.0 points.
Complaint record
Lear had 32 BBB complaints in three years against 150 BBB reviews, about 21.3 per 100. That’s the highest rate of the six companies we track. It holds an A+ BBB rating, which mostly reflects whether complaints get a response.
Who it’s for, and who should skip it
A good fit if you have $10,000 to $20,000, want low published fees, and will buy plain bullion rather than limited-mintage coins.
Look elsewhere if its regulatory history concerns you. Noble Gold and Augusta have far fewer complaints.
Alternatives to compare
- Augusta Precious Metals review · score 8.1, $50,000 minimum
- Noble Gold Investments review · score 7.4, $20,000 minimum
- Goldco review · score 6.4, $25,000 minimum
- American Hartford Gold review · score 5.6, $10,000 minimum
- Birch Gold Group review · pending, about $10,000 minimum
Or see every company side by side: Gold IRA companies ranked on what they actually charge →
Gold IRA
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.
Sources: BBB profile for Lear Capital, checked October 14, 2026 · California DFPI press release on the multistate Lear Capital settlement · Yahoo Finance, best gold IRA companies, May 2026 · Finder, Lear Capital review, May 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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