Precious Metal IRAs
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Precious Metals IRAs
There have always been savers and investors want to hold a portion of their assets in precious metals. U. S. government regulations now allow a considerable range of gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion and coins to be held as IRA investments.
Why GoldStar Trust?
Holding precious metals not as straightforward as other investments. If you want to invest in precious metals, there are special steps you will need to take. The custodian of precious metal assets must have highly specialized knowledge as well.
GoldStar Trust Company is one of America’s leading custodians for self-directed IRAs specializing in precious metals. Our depth of experience and proven expertise in precious metals investments make it easy to own these assets as part of your retirement.
Important information you’ll need to know.
Due to the highly specialized nature of Precious Metals IRAs, we’ve provided resources below that should answer many of your questions and provide assistance. Of course, you can always contact us directly with any questions about a GoldStar account.
DIVERSIFY YOUR PORTFOLIO WITH PRECIOUS METALS
GoldStar Trust is a leading custodian for gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion. Through a self-directed IRA, diversifying your portfolio is easier than ever.
Minimum Fineness Requirements
An IRA may hold investments in certain precious metals allowed by the Internal Revenue Code. Coin or bullion that is not specifically permitted are considered to be collectibles and are disallowed for IRAs. The allowable exceptions were broadened by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, effective January 1, 1998.
The specific precious metals permitted are: silver, gold and platinum American Eagle coins, a coin issued under the laws of any State, and gold, silver platinum or palladium bullion that meets the minimum fineness requirements.
Currently, gold must be .9950 pure, silver must be .9990 pure, and both platinum and palladium must be .9995 pure to qualify.
Bars, rounds and coins must be produced by a refiner, assayer or manufacturer that is accredited/certified by NYMEX, COMEX, NYSE/Liffe, LME, LBMA, LPPM, TOCOM, ISO 9000, or national government mint in order to be accepted by GoldStar Trust.
Proof coins must be ungraded, complete with certificate of authenticity and in original mint packaging. Bullion coins must be uncirculated in excellent condition.
Examples of Allowable Precious Metals
Gold
- American Eagle coins
- Australian Kangaroo/Nugget coins
- Australian Lunar Series coins
- Austrian Philharmonic coins
- British Britannia (2013 and newer)
- British Lunar Series bullion coins
- Canadian Maple Leaf coins
- Chinese Panda coins
- Credit Suisse – PAMP Suisse bars
- U.S. Buffalo bullion coins
- Various bars and rounds .995
Silver
- America The Beautiful coins
- American Eagle coins
- Australian Kookaburra coins
- Austrian Vienna Philharmonic coins
- British Britannia (2013 and newer)
- British Lunar Series bullion coins
- Canadian Maple Leaf coins
- Chinese Panda coins
- Mexican Libertad coins
- Various bars and rounds .999
Platinum
- American Eagle coins
- Australian Koala coins
- Canadian Maple Leaf coins
- Various bars .9995
Palladium
- Canadian Maple Leaf coins
- Various bars .9995
Examples of Unacceptable Precious Metals
- Rare or collectible coins, including certified or “graded” coins
- Austrian Corona
- Belgian 20 Franc
- British Britannia (pre-2013)
- Chilean 100 Peso
- Dutch 10 Guilder
- French 20 Franc
- Hungarian 100 Korona
- Italian 20 Lira
- Mexican 50 Peso
- South African Krugerrand
- Swiss 20 Franc
- U.S. Buffalo Proof
- U.S. Liberty
Precious Metal IRA Fees
Annual Maintenance, Asset Holding and Depository Storage Fees are due when the account is established and billed annually thereafter on the account opening anniversary date. Annual Fees are not prorated.
Account Fees:
A Precious Metals IRA requires special handling to set up and manage. Please see the fee schedule for specific details. Contact our Investor Services team for an estimation of annual fees. Your Precious Metals IRA maintenance and/or storage fees may vary in the years to come according to changes in account value. These fees are based on the market value of your account prior to the billing period. Maintenance fees are assessed annually on the anniversary date in which your account is opened. Storage fees are assessed annually in the month the depository first received the metals.
You will need to choose a precious metals’ dealer, negotiate the price and initiate your purchase. GoldStar is not affiliated with any precious metal dealers and receives no compensation from investments made for your account.
Getting Started
Choose your precious metals’ dealer, negotiate the price and initiate your purchase by submitting an Precious Metals Investment Direction to GoldStar. Our precious metals department will notify the specified dealer when your account is funded. After we receive purchase details, the metals are shipped and payment is made from the IRA. This entire process typically takes 2-4 weeks or longer depending on how quickly GoldStar receives funds from your resigning custodian(s).
Research Before You Buy
We encourage you to do your own research and educate yourself before making any investment. Be an informed consumer!
- Precious metals terms: Be aware of different terms used and what they mean such as spot, bid, and ask pricing.
- Dealer affiliations: Is your dealer a member of the Professional Numismatists Guild or the American Numismatic Association? If so, they must abide by a code of conduct and resolve legitimate disputes or lose their membership.
- Dealer history: Find out any information you can about a company’s history and reputation from their own website as well as a number of different unbiased sources. Beware of dealers you cannot find information about.
- Better Business Bureau rating: To find a company’s BBB accreditation and rating, type the name into the BBB’s national search tool.
IRA assets must remain in the custody of the IRA custodian until distribution, which means that you can’t hold them yourself while in the IRA or determine your own storage facility. Precious metals for GoldStar IRAs are held within one of the depositories below. The dealer you buy precious metals from usually determines which depository will be used.
GoldStar Trust Company makes no recommendations or value judgments.
Delaware Depository-Delaware (Depository Trust Company of Delaware, LLC)
Located in Wilmington, Delaware
Provides Commingled Storage for all metal types, and Segregated Storage for all Gold, Platinum, Palladium and 1000 oz. silver bars. Segregated storage is not available for Silver products smaller than 1000 oz. bars
https://www.delawaredepository.com
IDS of Delaware (International Depository Services Group)
Located in New Castle, Delaware
Provides Commingled and Segregated Storage for Gold. Silver, Platinum and Palladium
https://internationaldepositoryservices.com/
TPMD of Texas (Texas Precious Metals Depository)
Located in Shiner, Texas
Provides Segregated Storage for Gold. Silver, Platinum and Palladium
AMGL of Nevada (A-M Global Logistics, LLC)
Located in Las Vegas, Nevada
Provides Commingled and Segregated Storage for Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium
Please see each depository’s website for specifics on facility and insurance coverage by selecting the appropriate link(s) above.
Ready to Start Investing?
Download our Precious Metals Investment Kit that includes all of the forms you will need, brief instructions on how to get started and a checklist for new accounts.
