Gold IRA rollovers, explained without the sales pitch.

Most gold IRA websites are built to capture your phone number. This one is built to answer your questions. We document the IRS rules, publish the fee schedules companies would rather bury, and tell you when a gold IRA is the wrong move.

Start here: if you have a retirement account from a former employer — a 401(k), TSP, or 403(b) — you can usually move some or all of it into physical gold without taxes or penalties. The rollover guide explains how in plain English.

Rollover guides by account type

401(k) → Gold IRA

The most common rollover. What works for old accounts vs. your current employer's plan.

TSP → Gold IRA

For federal employees and military. Why the TSP can't hold gold, and what to do about it.

403(b) → Gold IRA

For teachers and healthcare workers. Watch out for annuity surrender fees.

457(b) → Gold IRA

Government employees have one advantage nobody else gets. Don't give it up by accident.

SEP IRA → Gold

Self-employed? A transfer is simpler than a rollover — here's the difference.

Roth IRA → Gold

Tax-free growth plus physical metal. The rules are different, and better.

SIMPLE IRA → Gold

One rule can cost you 25% of your money. Read this before you move anything.

Inherited IRA → Gold

The SECURE Act changed everything for beneficiaries. What's still possible.

The reference pages

Gold IRA rules

Which metals the IRS allows, storage requirements, and the mistakes that trigger taxes.

Fee comparison

Actual setup, admin, and storage fees side by side — the table the industry doesn't publish.

Home storage warning

Why "store your IRA gold at home" pitches can cost you your entire tax deferral.

Statistics & cost data

The 2026 numbers in one citable place: average fees, minimums, spreads, and our 10-year cost model.

Gold IRA vs. physical gold

The decision before the company decision: taxes, custody, costs, and access compared.

Self-directed IRAs explained

The account structure behind every gold IRA, and what the custodian does not do for you.

Scams and overcharging

What regulators have documented, and how to verify a dealer in twenty minutes.

Company reviews

Augusta Precious Metals

Education-first, high minimum. Our full review.

Goldco

The biggest brand in the space. Strengths and real drawbacks.

Birch Gold Group

The $10,000 entry point. Who it fits, and the fee math to run first.

American Hartford Gold

The cheapest majors on paper under $100k — and the free-silver promotions decoded.

Noble Gold

The $275 flat fee explained — and the real minimum most reviews get wrong.

Advantage Gold

The $5,000 minimum, and the arithmetic that comes with it.

Augusta vs. Goldco

The head-to-head comparison, with a clear verdict by investor type.

All companies compared

Six companies sorted by what you have to invest, not by who pays most.