Short answer: yes, in the United States you can hold approved physical gold inside a self-directed IRA (SDIRA). It must sit with an IRS-approved trustee or custodian, not in your home safe. There are also non-IRA paths that give you direct ownership outside tax wrappers. Here’s a clear, no-nonsense guide so you can pick the right route and avoid costly mistakes.
What is a self-directed IRA
A self-directed IRA is an IRA that lets you hold alternative assets, including eligible gold bars and coins, under IRS rules. A bank, trust company, credit union, or other IRS-approved entity acts as custodian and arranges storage with a qualified vault. You control what to buy and when, the custodian handles the paperwork and reporting.
- IRS overview on IRAs: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/individual-retirement-arrangements-iras
What gold is eligible
- Fineness: generally 99.5%+ (0.995) for bullion bars and most coins.
- Notable exception: American Gold Eagle coins are permitted in IRAs even though they are 22K.
- Packaging: prefer recognized refiners and standard sizes for clean pricing and liquidity.
- Storage: assets must stay with a qualified trustee/custodian in an approved depository. Personal storage is not allowed for IRA assets.
How the process works
- Open an SDIRA with a custodian that supports physical metals.
- Fund it by contribution or by a rollover/transfer from an existing IRA or eligible 401(k).
- Place a buy order through your dealer, referencing the custodian and depository.
- Custodian settles and stores the metal at the vault. You receive statements and bar lists as applicable.
- Keep records for contributions, rollovers, fair-market values, and distributions.
Costs to expect
- Custodian setup: often a one-time fee.
- Annual admin: flat fee or tiered.
- Storage: usually a small percent of value per year, or a flat fee by bracket.
- Shipping/insurance: applies when moving metal between vaults or taking distributions in kind.
Pros and cons at a glance
| Option | Tax treatment | Where it’s stored | Access & control | Typical costs | Common mistakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-directed IRA (physical gold) | Tax-deferred or Roth tax-free growth | Qualified depository via custodian | You choose assets; no personal possession | Setup + annual admin + storage + shipping | Personal storage, collectible coins that do not meet rules, prohibited transactions |
| Rollover 401(k) → SDIRA | Preserve tax benefits, keep compounding | As above | Lets you add physical metal to old workplace money | Same as SDIRA | Withholding or timing errors during rollover |
| Direct ownership outside IRA | Taxable on sale (capital gains) | Your vault, bank box, or home safe | Full control and immediate access | Storage or home security; no IRA admin | No tax shelter; discipline required for rebalancing |
What a high-quality setup looks like
- Allocated and segregated storage with a serial-numbered bar list.
- Insurance that names your custodian or IRA trust.
- Independent audits and clear release procedures.
- Simple unit mix for liquidity: 1 oz coins and 100–250 g bars for flexibility, 1 kg bars for lowest premium per gram.
Can I store IRA gold at home
No. Storing IRA metals in your home safe or a non-qualified facility can disqualify the IRA and trigger taxes and penalties. Use the custodian’s approved depository.
Distributions and selling
- Sell for cash inside the IRA: proceeds return to the IRA as cash.
- In-kind distribution: you can take delivery of coins or bars. The value at distribution is taxable for traditional IRAs and potentially tax-free for qualified Roth distributions.
- RMDs: traditional IRAs require minimum distributions at set ages. You can sell metal to raise cash or distribute metal in kind.
Outside the United States
Rules differ by country. Some jurisdictions allow pension wrappers to hold bullion through approved trustees. Others do not. If you are outside the US, speak with a licensed adviser in your country before using a retirement account for metals. You can always buy direct outside a pension and hold in a professional vault.
How Congo Rare Minerals supports retirement buyers
- Product sizing: 1 oz coins, 100 g, 250 g, and 1 kg bars to match both IRA storage and eventual resale.
- Verification: third-party testing on request, with assay and bar-list support.
- Paperwork: clean invoices, shipping, insurance, and certificates to keep records tidy.
- Export: insured delivery to approved vaults and depositories.
Explore products and services:
- Shop bullion: https://congorareminerals.com/shop/
- Lab testing and verification: https://congorareminerals.com/lab-testing/
- Refining and documentation: https://congorareminerals.com/service/refining/
- Talk to sales: https://congorareminerals.com/contact-us/
This article is for education only. For tax or legal advice, consult a qualified professional.
FAQ
Can I buy any gold coin for my IRA
No. Only approved bullion and certain coins qualify. Many collectible or numismatic coins do not.
Do I have to use a special depository
Yes. The custodian will direct metals to an approved depository that meets regulatory standards and insurance requirements.
What if I want both IRA and non-IRA gold
You can. Many buyers hold a core position in an SDIRA for tax advantages and keep a separate direct holding for emergency access and flexibility.