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Gold IRA Guide 2026: Fees, Rules & Rollovers | Allegiance Gold
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Gold IRA: understand the rules, fees and rollover process before you decide.

A Gold IRA can hold qualifying physical precious metals inside a self-directed retirement account. This guide explains the 2026 rules, typical costs, 401(k) rollover options, storage, spreads, RMDs, risks and exit choices in plain English—with primary IRS sources linked.

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One-ounce Gold American Eagle coin One-ounce Credit Suisse gold bar
Typical current admin cost ≈ $225–$275/yr Custodial + storage fees with current partners. Product premium and resale spread are separate.
Truth before transaction.
Understand the costs, risks and exit before moving retirement money.
Best OverallMoney, September 2026 · read ranking
4.9 / 5Trustpilot rating, September 2026 · verify
Inc. 5000Multi-year honoree
Published feesTypical current custodian + storage schedule shown on this page
Last reviewedSeptember 8, 2026
Prepared byAllegiance Gold Editorial & Compliance Team
Quick answer

What is a Gold IRA?

A Gold IRA is generally a self-directed traditional or Roth IRA that can hold qualifying physical gold and other precious metals. It is not a separate tax category: the account follows applicable IRA contribution and distribution rules, while the metals must meet Internal Revenue Code §408(m) requirements and remain in the possession of the IRA trustee or an approved nonbank trustee.

Primary source: IRS — Investments in collectibles in individually directed qualified plan accounts.

2026 Gold IRA at a glance

$7,5002026 IRA contribution limit
$8,6002026 limit if age 50+ including catch-up
≈ $225–$275Typical current annual custodian + storage fees
$10,000Current Allegiance minimum reported by Money
Trustee-heldQualifying IRA metals cannot be personally possessed while inside the IRA

Rollovers and transfers of existing eligible retirement funds are not counted toward the annual IRA contribution limit. Fees, minimums and partner terms can change; the written documents provided at account opening control.

Truth before transaction

Who a Gold IRA may fit—and who should think twice.

A good Gold IRA page should help you decide against opening one when it is not appropriate. Precious metals can diversify certain risks, but they also introduce their own costs and tradeoffs.

A Gold IRA may be worth considering if you…

  • Want part of your retirement savings in physical precious metals rather than only securities.
  • Are deliberately diversifying across asset types rather than making a short-term trade.
  • Have an eligible IRA, former-employer plan, TSP, 403(b) or other account that can be transferred or rolled over under its rules.
  • Understand that purchase premiums, resale spreads and annual administration costs favor a longer holding horizon.
  • Want an asset that does not depend on a corporate issuer to pay interest or dividends—while accepting that it pays no income itself.

The appropriate allocation, if any, depends on your broader finances, risk tolerance, tax situation and objectives.

A Gold IRA may not be a good fit if you…

  • Need current income: physical gold does not pay dividends or interest.
  • May need immediate liquidity: selling physical metals is not the same as clicking “sell” in a brokerage account.
  • Plan to place most or all retirement assets into one asset class.
  • Expect guaranteed gains, a guaranteed hedge or guaranteed preservation of purchasing power.
  • Are uncomfortable with the fact that gold can decline or underperform other assets for extended periods.

Allegiance Gold does not guarantee performance, future profits or that precious metals will retain purchase value.

The process

How a Gold IRA works in three clear steps.

The dealer, custodian and depository are separate roles. Understanding who does what is part of understanding what you own.

Opening a self-directed Gold IRA account
Step 1

Open the self-directed IRA

An independent IRA custodian establishes and administers the account. Allegiance Gold acts as the precious-metals dealer, not the IRA custodian.

Funding a Gold IRA by transfer, rollover or contribution
Step 2

Fund the account

Depending on the account, funds may move by trustee-to-trustee transfer, direct rollover, 60-day rollover or new contribution. The tax mechanics differ, so the method matters.

Selecting qualifying precious metals for a Gold IRA
Step 3

Select qualifying metals

After the custodian receives funds, you select qualifying products. The custodian directs settlement and the metals are sent to the storage facility used for the IRA.

Custodian, dealer, depository

Where the gold is held—and why the roles are separate.

The dealer sells the metals. The IRA custodian administers the retirement account. The storage facility physically safeguards the metal. Those are distinct functions, and the separation matters.

Map showing precious-metals storage locations used by Allegiance Gold partners across the United States, including Delaware Depository, Brinks and IDS facilities
National storage footprintAllegiance Gold works with established third-party storage providers including Delaware Depository, Brink's and IDS. Confirm the location and insurance terms selected for your account in the written documents.

Partner depository locations including Boulder City & Las Vegas NV, Los Angeles CA, Salt Lake City UT, Shiner & Dallas TX, New Castle & Wilmington DE, Aston PA, and New York NY.

Know who holds what.

Allegiance Gold currently works with nationally recognized third-party storage providers including Delaware Depository, Brink's and IDS. Allegiance's current site states these partners are safeguarded by substantial all-risk insurance coverage. Your actual storage agreement and custodian records govern the location, allocation method and insurance applicable to your holdings.

DealerAllegiance Gold facilitates the precious-metal transaction and discloses product pricing.
CustodianThe independent IRA trustee/custodian handles account administration, reporting, transfers and distributions.
StorageThe third-party storage provider physically safeguards metals in accordance with the IRA arrangement.

See IRA forms and account documents →

IRC §408(m)

What precious metals can go in a Gold IRA?

The IRS treats many metals and coins as collectibles, but the law provides exceptions for certain coins and qualifying bullion. Eligibility depends on the specific product—not the marketing name a dealer gives it.

Core custody rule

Under IRC §408(m), qualifying gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion can be held in an IRA when the bullion meets the statutory fineness requirement and a bank or approved nonbank trustee keeps physical possession.

  • Do not treat “home storage IRA” marketing as equivalent to conventional trustee-held storage.
  • Taking personal possession can create distribution and tax consequences.
  • American Gold Eagles have a statutory coin exception despite being below .995 fineness.

Read the IRS rule →

Common fineness thresholds

MetalMinimum fineness*Common qualifying examples
Gold.995American Buffalo, Canadian Maple Leaf, qualifying bars; American Gold Eagle is a statutory coin exception
Silver.999Silver American Eagle, qualifying bars and rounds
Platinum.9995Qualifying sovereign coins and bars
Palladium.9995Qualifying sovereign coins and bars

*Product eligibility is specific. Confirm the exact item with the IRA custodian before purchase.

Cost transparency

Gold IRA fees are only half the cost story. The spread matters too.

Annual custody and storage fees are easy to compare. The harder number—and often the more economically important one—is the difference between the price you pay and the price at which the same product could be sold back.

CostCurrent typical amount*When it applies
Dealer premiumVaries by product and market conditionsAt purchase
IRA custodial fee≈ $125 / yearAnnual
Commingled storage≈ $100 / yearAnnual
Segregated storage≈ $175 / yearAnnual
Typical annual total≈ $225–$275 / yearCustodian + storage
Resale / buyback spreadVaries by product and marketEconomic difference between purchase and resale prices

*Based on Allegiance Gold's current published fee discussion and current partners. Actual fees vary by custodian, depository, storage method, account size and other terms. The custodian's written fee schedule and transaction documents control.

Useful, not ornamental

Run the numbers before you talk to a salesperson.

These tools are educational estimates, not tax or investment advice. They are designed to expose the questions that matter before money moves.

Annual fee estimator

See the current typical custody + storage cost over your intended holding period.

$1,125 estimated over 5 yearsThat equals 1.13% of a $100,000 starting amount over the selected period, before product premium and spread.

Assumes today's typical annual fee stays unchanged. Does not model metal prices, account growth or product transaction costs.

Spread calculator

Enter any dealer's purchase and same-day buyback prices for the same product.

Enter both pricesWe'll show the dollar spread and the percentage of your purchase price.

A spread is not a prediction of loss or future performance. It is a snapshot comparison of two prices at the time entered.

Rollover readiness checker

Select the account you have now to see the path that commonly applies and the issue to verify.

Common path: trustee-to-trustee transferThe IRA trustee sends eligible funds directly to the receiving IRA trustee. Confirm tax character and any account-specific restrictions before moving funds.

Roth conversions can be taxable. SIMPLE IRAs have special two-year rules. Employer plans must allow a distribution before a rollover can occur.

Balanced comparison

Gold IRA pros, cons and alternatives.

“Gold IRA vs. regular IRA” is not really a choice between two tax systems. It is a choice about what the retirement account owns, how it is stored, what it costs and how liquid it is.

Potential advantages

  • Physical precious-metal exposure inside a retirement account structure.
  • Asset-type diversification beyond stocks and bonds.
  • Physical precious-metal ownership held through the IRA structure rather than merely a dealer promise.
  • Flat custody/storage fees can be predictable when the provider uses a flat schedule.
  • Ability to liquidate to cash or coordinate a property distribution when appropriate.

Important disadvantages

  • No dividends or interest from the physical metal.
  • Purchase premium and resale spread create a break-even hurdle.
  • Annual custody and storage costs continue regardless of performance.
  • Physical-metal transactions are less immediate than exchange-traded securities.
  • Prices can fall and long periods of underperformance are possible.
FeaturePhysical Gold IRAConventional IRA securitiesPhysical gold outside an IRAGold ETF in brokerage/IRA
What you ownQualifying physical metals through the IRAStocks, bonds, funds and other allowed securitiesPhysical coins/bars personally ownedShares of a fund or trust
CustodyIRA trustee/custodian + storage facilityBrokerage/custodianYou choose storage and insuranceBrokerage + fund/trust structure
IncomeNone from metalDividends/interest may be availableNone from metalGenerally no metal income; fund expenses apply
LiquidityDealer/custodian processTypically market-hours executionDepends on buyer/dealerTypically market-hours execution
Typical ongoing costCustody + storage, plus transaction spreadFund expenses, trading costs and/or advisory feesStorage/insurance chosen by owner + trading spreadFund expense ratio + market spread
Tax treatmentDepends on IRA type and distributionsDepends on IRA type and distributionsTaxable-account rules applyDepends on account and fund structure

This comparison is general and does not capture every product, tax rule, fee schedule or account feature.

401(k) to Gold IRA rollover rules

Transfer, direct rollover and 60-day rollover are not the same thing.

The cleanest method often keeps the money moving directly between financial institutions. If an eligible employer-plan distribution is paid directly to you, mandatory withholding can apply even when you intend to roll it over.

MethodHow the money movesWithholding / timingImportant point
Trustee-to-trustee transferOne IRA trustee/custodian sends funds directly to another.IRS says no taxes are withheld from the transfer amount.Common way to move an existing IRA without taking receipt of the money.
Direct rolloverAn eligible employer plan pays the receiving IRA or plan directly.IRS says no taxes are withheld from the amount transferred directly.Often used for a former-employer 401(k), 403(b) or other eligible plan.
60-day rolloverThe distribution is paid to you and you redeposit an eligible amount.You generally have 60 days. Eligible employer-plan distributions paid to you are generally subject to 20% mandatory withholding.If 20% is withheld, other funds may be needed to roll over the full eligible amount.

Source: IRS — Rollovers of retirement plan and IRA distributions. An employer plan must permit a distribution before it can be rolled over. Roth conversions can create taxable income, and SIMPLE IRAs have special two-year transfer rules; consult your tax professional for your facts.

Understand the exit before the entrance

Selling, RMDs and in-kind distributions.

A Gold IRA decision is incomplete until you understand how you can get back to cash, take metal out of the IRA, and satisfy distribution rules later in retirement.

Selling metals

When you choose to liquidate, the metals can be sold and proceeds returned to the IRA. Compare the current buyback price, settlement process and any transaction terms before deciding. Allegiance also maintains a sell-to-us / buyback page.

Required minimum distributions

Traditional IRAs are subject to RMD rules. The required beginning date depends on the account owner's circumstances and birth year. IRS Publication 590-B explains current distribution rules and calculations.

In-kind distribution

An IRA can distribute property rather than cash. If metals are distributed out of the IRA, fair-market-value and tax rules apply based on account type and facts. Coordinate the transaction with the IRA custodian and tax professional before the distribution is processed.

Take this to every dealer—including us

10 questions every Gold IRA company should answer before you send a dollar.

The best defense against a bad precious-metals transaction is not a slogan. It is a written comparison of the product, price, spread, custody, storage and exit terms.

  1. What exact product am I buying, including weight, purity and quantity?
  2. What is my exact purchase price for each product, in writing?
  3. What would you pay to buy back the same product today?
  4. What is the difference between those prices in dollars and percentage?
  5. Who is the IRA custodian, and is the custodian independent of the dealer?
  6. What does the custodian charge, and is the fee flat or based on assets?
  7. Where will the metal be stored, and is the storage segregated or commingled?
  8. What insurance applies to the stored metal and under whose agreement?
  9. How does liquidation or an in-kind distribution work, and how long can it take?
  10. What happens to the IRA and metals if the dealer is no longer in business?
Ask Allegiance Gold all ten.
If another dealer gives you a quote, bring it too. Compare the transaction—not the sales pitch.
Call 844-790-9191
Why Allegiance Gold

Make the decision with the numbers visible.

Our preferred position is simple: educate first, show the product and costs, let the client compare, and earn the transaction rather than pressure it.

What we want you to be able to verify

A Gold IRA is a long-term financial decision. The claims that matter should be independently checkable or documented in writing.

✓Current product pricing available on AllegianceGold.com.
✓Typical current IRA custody and storage fees published on this page.
✓Buyback / sell-to-us information available before you need to liquidate.
✓Primary IRS sources linked for rollover, contribution and precious-metals rules.
✓A+ BBB rating and 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating as of September 2026.
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Gold IRA FAQ

Straight answers to the questions investors actually ask.

What is a Gold IRA?
A Gold IRA is generally a self-directed traditional or Roth IRA that can hold qualifying physical precious metals. It is not a separate tax category. The account follows applicable IRA rules, while the metals must satisfy IRC §408(m) and custody requirements.
Is Allegiance Gold a legitimate company?
Allegiance Gold, LLC is a precious metals dealer headquartered in Calabasas, California, in business since 2012. In September 2026 Money named it the Best Overall gold IRA company among the firms it reviewed. It holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 4.9 rating on Trustpilot, publishes its typical IRA custody and storage fees on this page, and works with independent custodians and nationally recognized depositories including Delaware Depository, Brink's and IDS. Verify each of these claims directly with the sources linked—that is what they are there for.
How much does a Gold IRA cost with Allegiance Gold?
Allegiance Gold currently publishes typical annual custodial and storage costs of approximately $225 with commingled storage or $275 with segregated storage. A dealer premium applies when metals are purchased, and a resale spread can apply when they are sold. Actual fees vary; the written custodian and transaction documents control.
What is Allegiance Gold's minimum for a Gold IRA?
Money's September 2026 review reports a $10,000 minimum investment for Allegiance Gold. Minimums and promotional terms can change, so confirm the current requirement before funding an account.
Can I roll a 401(k) into a Gold IRA without current taxes?
An eligible rollover can generally preserve tax deferral when completed correctly. A direct rollover sends eligible funds from the employer plan to the receiving IRA and avoids the mandatory withholding that generally applies when an eligible employer-plan distribution is paid directly to you. Roth conversions and certain distributions can have different tax treatment. See IRS rollover guidance and consult your tax professional.
What is the 2026 IRA contribution limit?
The 2026 IRA contribution limit is $7,500, or $8,600 if you are age 50 or older, subject to compensation and other eligibility rules. Rollovers are not counted toward the annual contribution limit. Source: IRS 2026 IRA contribution limits.
Can I move a current-employer 401(k) into a Gold IRA?
Sometimes, but not always. An employer plan must allow a distribution. Some plans permit in-service distributions under specific conditions, while others do not. The plan document and administrator control. Do not assume that a current-employer 401(k) can be rolled over simply because a former-employer 401(k) usually can be.
Can I move a SIMPLE IRA into a Gold IRA?
Special rules apply. During the two-year period beginning when you first participate in a SIMPLE IRA, transfers to an IRA that is not another SIMPLE IRA can create adverse tax consequences. After the two-year period, additional rollover options become available. See the IRS SIMPLE IRA transfer rules.
Can I store Gold IRA metals at home?
IRC §408(m) requires qualifying bullion held by an IRA to remain in the physical possession of a bank or approved nonbank trustee. Personal possession can create distribution and tax issues. Treat any “home storage IRA” arrangement as a legal and tax question requiring qualified professional review—not as a routine equivalent to conventional custodian-held storage.
What is the difference between commingled and segregated storage?
In commingled storage, your account owns a specified quantity and type of metal within pooled holdings. In segregated storage, the specific bars or coins allocated to the account are stored separately. Current storage fees differ by method; verify the exact allocation, insurance and delivery terms in the depository/custodian documents.
What is the spread on a Gold IRA transaction?
The spread is the difference between the price you pay for a specific precious-metal product and the price available to sell that same product back at a given time. Because spreads vary by product and market conditions, ask for both the purchase price and current buyback price before deciding. Use the spread calculator above to compare any quote.
What are the disadvantages of a Gold IRA?
Physical precious metals do not pay dividends or interest; prices can fall; premiums and resale spreads create transaction costs; annual custody and storage fees continue regardless of performance; and liquidation is less immediate than selling a publicly traded security. Gold can be a diversification tool, but it is not a complete retirement plan and is not appropriate for every investor.
Can I take the actual coins or bars out of my Gold IRA later?
An IRA can distribute property rather than cash. If physical metals are distributed, valuation and tax rules apply depending on the IRA type and your circumstances. The metals are no longer inside the IRA after the distribution. Coordinate an in-kind distribution with the custodian and your tax professional before processing it.
What happens if the precious-metals dealer goes out of business?
In a conventional Gold IRA structure, the dealer is not the IRA custodian and does not personally hold the IRA's metal. The IRA relationship and stored assets are administered through the custodian and storage arrangement. You should verify ownership, custody and continuity terms directly in your account documentation before purchase.
Sources & editorial standard

Why these sources are on the page.

This is financial and retirement content. Where a rule can be sourced to the IRS, we prefer the IRS over a dealer's interpretation. Where a third party evaluates Allegiance Gold, we link the third party so you can verify it yourself.

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