Gold 401K

Throughout history physical gold has served as the premier safekeeping of wealth for both princes and paupers. It’s only in the modern age that gold has not been revered as it should for its importance as a required asset. What is the only asset that does not depend on the performance of another individual or entity for its value?  The answer is not stocks, not currency or a mutual fund.  The answer is physical gold. It was the past French president Charles DeGaulle who notably said about gold, it ‘has no nationality and is eternally and universally accepted as the unalterable fiduciary value par excellence’. Can there truly be a better way to insure your retirement against the plight of paper based assets other than gold?

Gold IRA Transfers and  Gold 401k Rollovers

Transferring a traditional or Roth based IRA to a gold based IRA is quite easy. Establishing a gold based IRA from a 401(k) can also be simple providing separation from an employer has occurred. If there has been no employment separation then you may find that the employer’s plan will not allow assets to be moved to a gold backed IRA. Fortunately, there are always exceptions and you should consult a competent retirement professional.

Existing IRAs with brokerages, banks or other financial service institutions can easily be transferred directly to a self administered gold backed IRA. The simplest method to establishing a new gold IRA is to transfer directly either the funds or the securities in the account.

What types of precious metals can be help in an IRA?

The United States government currently allows certain bullion and proof coins such as gold and silver American Eagles to be held in IRAs. Proof coins are unique collectable versions of mass produced bullion coins.

Gold Coins and Gold Bullion – Presently, only gold coins that have a purity of 24 karat are allowed in an IRA. The exception is the 22 karat United States Gold Eagle. Likewise, gold bars with a purity of 24 karat are also allowed to be held in an IRA. These bars must be marked by an approved refiner or assayer.  Gold bars come in 1 ounce, 10 ounce, 100 ounce and 400 ounce sizes.

SILVER – Only silver coins and bars 0.999 fine are allowed to be held in an IRA. These include the 1 ounce US Silver Eagle, Canadian Silver Maple Leaf and the Mexican Silver Libertad. Individual investors may also purchase 100 oz. and 1000 oz. silver bars. Pre 1965 silver coins are not allowed as they are alloys containing other base metals.

PLATINUM and Palladium: Both platinum and palladium coins and bars that are of 0.9995 fineness may be held in a precious metal IRA. The US, Canada, UK and Australian mints all make 1 oz. platinum coins. All platinum or palladium bars must be from an approved refiner or assayer such as Johnson Matthey and Englehard.

Global financial problems are dramatically reflected in today’s economy and in your retirement portfolio. Gold seemingly turns a blind eye to such incidents, as has been the case for century upon century. When you make a place for physical gold in your retirement account you help to insure that you actually get to retire.