Transfer
Move funds directly from one IRA custodian to another without taking possession of the assets yourself. Transfers are one of the most common ways to fund a gold IRA.
Gold IRA
Your retirement,
built to last.
A gold IRA enables you to hold physical precious metals within a tax-advantaged retirement account. Discover how a gold IRA can help diversify your retirement savings and provide lasting protection.
Speak with us
Or call today
(866) 646-8465A different kind of IRA
The basics of a gold IRA
A gold IRA is a self-directed individual retirement account that allows you to hold physical gold and other IRS-approved precious metals as part of your retirement strategy. Like conventional IRAs, gold IRAs offer tax advantages. The key difference is the type of assets held within the account.
Americans are increasingly turning to gold IRAs to diversify beyond stocks and bonds and hedge against inflation.
Physical gold has a long history of performing differently than conventional financial assets during periods of economic uncertainty.
3 ways to fund
Use what you already have, your way.
Most gold IRAs are funded using existing retirement assets. Depending on your situation, you may be able to use existing retirement funds or make new cash contributions.
- Transfers Explained
- Rollovers Explained
Rollover
Move eligible assets from a former employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k), into a gold IRA while maintaining the tax-advantaged status of your retirement savings.
- Cash contributions Explained
Cash contribution
Open a new gold IRA and fund it with annual contributions, subject to IRS contribution limits and eligibility requirements.
IRS-Approved Precious Metals
What goes inside your IRA?
Not all precious metals qualify for inclusion in a gold IRA. The IRS establishes specific purity requirements and eligibility standards. A gold IRA may hold certain gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products that meet those guidelines.
Top-Ranked Gold IRA Provider
Backed by decades of gold experience.
U.S. Money Reserve is the only precious metals company guided by two former Directors of the United States Mint. Their decades of leadership and industry expertise help shape our commitment to education, service, and the highest standards of professionalism.
- 1 +
Million
Clients served
- $ 4.4
Billion
In Trusted Transactions
- A +
Rating
From the Better Business Bureau
- 25
years
Helping Americans diversify
Build a better future
The benefits of a U.S. Money Reserve gold IRA
Starting your gold IRA is simple, easy, and secure with U.S. Money Reserve. Transfer or roll over a portion of your existing IRA or qualifying retirement account today and enjoy these benefits:
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Simple & secure process
We’ll help you complete your application and select precious metals, then ship them securely to your IRS-approved depository.
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Liquidate without penalty
Once it’s time to take distributions from your account, you can liquidate your gold or take it home as an in-kind distribution without penalty.1
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Buy pure, physical gold
A gold IRA contains real, physical gold that you can later hold in your hands as in-kind distributions sent directly to your door.
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Nontaxable event
Direct rollovers or transfers are generally nontaxable when moving funds from an eligible retirement account into a precious metals IRA.
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No upfront costs
We will cover your setup, transaction, transfer, maintenance, and storage fees for your first full year for accounts over $10,000.
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We do all the work
From paperwork to portfolio design, we can handle all the heavy lifting to ensure a smooth, efficient, and stress-free experience.
The retirement risk zone
Why does diversification matter in retirement?
The period spanning the 10 years before retirement and the 10 years after is called the Retirement Risk Zone.
Gold’s impact on retirement longevity
Portfolio A is out of money by 2021
Portfolio C still has over $307k
- Portfolio A 100% Traditional Portfolio
- Portfolio B 70% Traditional Portfolio
30% Physical Gold - Portfolio C 60% Traditional Portfolio
40% Physical Gold
| Year | Portfolio A | Portfolio B | Portfolio C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | $496,780 | $493,272 | $492,100 |
| 2005 | $475,510 | $491,849 | $497,222 |
| 2006 | $465,973 | $508,295 | $522,678 |
| 2007 | $463,220 | $543,355 | $571,741 |
| 2008 | $374,473 | $469,925 | $504,971 |
| 2009 | $383,706 | $507,599 | $554,090 |
| 2010 | $376,232 | $540,744 | $604,961 |
| 2011 | $352,528 | $532,158 | $602,835 |
| 2012 | $336,740 | $531,725 | $608,413 |
| 2013 | $311,001 | $466,335 | $520,339 |
| 2014 | $282,385 | $439,546 | $493,107 |
| 2015 | $237,335 | $379,374 | $425,338 |
| 2016 | $203,516 | $357,683 | $408,114 |
| 2017 | $172,579 | $344,523 | $401,641 |
| 2018 | $122,347 | $291,537 | $347,977 |
| 2019 | $87,656 | $283,200 | $349,620 |
| 2020 | $43,581 | $271,282 | $352,413 |
| 2021 | $0 | $225,263 | $305,020 |
| 2022 | $0 | $150,932 | $227,439 |
| 2023 | $0 | $107,673 | $194,110 |
| 2024 | $0 | $58,560 | $158,867 |
| 2025 | $0 | $34,041 | $149,877 |
This chart illustrates the historical performance of three portfolios over a 21-year retirement distribution from 2004 to 2025, assuming an identical starting balance of $500,000 and annual distributions of $35,000.
After just 18 years, Portfolio A (without gold) was completely depleted and showed a zero balance. Meanwhile, the portfolio with the largest allocation to gold retained more than 60% of its starting balance, and years later is still providing retirement income.
Have more questions? We’re here to guide you.
Free Consultation
IRA Buyback Advantage
Receive what you paid for your gold or more.
Gain added peace of mind with a first-of-its-kind protection available on certain qualifying gold purchases. Through our IRA Buyback Advantage program2, U.S. Money Reserve will buy back qualifying products at either their original purchase price or current fair market value—whichever is greater.
Limited Time Offer
Your fees, covered for life.
For qualifying accounts purchases, U.S. Money Reserve will cover your annual storage and maintenance fees for life. It’s one more way we help make owning physical precious metals within a gold IRA more affordable over the long term.3
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Account Setup Fee
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Shipping & Insurance
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Annual Storage Fee
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Annual Maintenance Fee
Get Started
3 simple steps to a gold IRA
Opening a gold IRA is simpler than you might expect. Our Account Executives guide clients through each step, from account setup through selecting eligible precious metals.
STEP 1 Open
Work with a gold IRA specialist to establish your self-directed IRA and complete the necessary paperwork.
STEP 2 Fund
Transfer, roll over, or contribute eligible retirement assets to fund your account.
STEP 3 Secure
Choose from a selection of IRS-approved precious metals that align with your goals and preferences.
Questions?
Speak with an IRA Account Executive to discuss your goals.
You’ve learned how gold IRAs work, how they’re funded, which assets they can hold, and why so many Americans include physical gold in their retirement strategy. Now it’s time to get answers specific to your situation.
Speak with us
Or call today
(866) 646-8465* Based on the number of new IRA accounts opened and funded, 2024 and 2025, at Equity Trust Company.
1 U.S. Money Reserve is available to liquidate any and all precious metals we have provided to our clients, according to our liquidation policy. If you have any questions about returning or liquidating our merchandise, please contact our Customer Relations Department at 1-855-560-5118. This return policy is subject to change without notice, at the company’s sole discretion.
2 Subject to qualifying inventory, including eligible proof gold coins, exclusive proof gold and silver coins, and excluding all types of bullion. Strictly limited to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) taken from qualifying precious metals purchased through U.S. Money Reserve. If you choose to liquidate an amount less than or equal to your annual RMD, USMR will purchase qualifying inventory at the greater of the Fair Market Value or the Original Purchase Price, at the time the annual RMD is taken. If you choose to liquidate an amount greater than the agreed upon amount equal to your annual RMD, then the Total Buyback Amount minus the RMD Amount will be priced at Fair Market Value. This guarantee only applies at the time your RMD is taken. Outside of this timeframe, qualifying inventory will be priced at Fair Market Value. Please note: There is no money-back guarantee on the repurchase of all types of bullion held within a precious metals IRA. Call for complete details. If you have any questions about returning or liquidating our merchandise, please contact our Customer Relations Department at 1-855-560-5118. This policy is subject to change without notice, at the company’s sole discretion.
3 To be applied toward initial account set-up, annual maintenance, and annual storage (non-segregated only) fees for the lifetime of qualifying IRA. Eligible only for qualifying IRA accounts opened through and maintained by Equity Trust Company. Annual fees covered by U.S. Money Reserve (USMR) are limited for up to $300 per year. Special service fees and fees associated with shipping and transit insurance of precious metals not included. Minimum precious metals rollover of $200,000 required, effective April 1, 2026, to be eligible for free fees for life. Portfolio packages subject to available inventory and current retail pricing. Minimum amount of proof coins per eligible portfolio package required is no less than 60%. Offer valid for qualifying first-time customers only. This offer is subject to change without notice, at the company’s sole discretion. No Fees for Life offer valid for 30 days.