Brad Chastain serves as Managing Director, Global Head of Research at U.S. Money Reserve, one of the largest private distributors of government-issued precious metals. Brad joined U.S. Money Reserve in 2022 after 18 years with Vanguard, one of the largest investment firms in the world. There, Brad specialized in delivering financial education to clients, first as a retirement counselor and then as a manager of retirement education. With an extensive background as a financial educator on topics ranging from portfolio construction and health savings accounts to 401(k)s, IRAs, Social Security, and Medicare, Brad is dedicated to helping clients reach their financial goals and build a more secure future with precious metals.
You don’t have to drive a diesel-powered vehicle to feel the effects of rising diesel prices. Diesel powers the trucks that deliver groceries, the equipment that harvests crops, and the machinery that builds homes. When those operating costs rise, the pressure can travel through the economy—and eventually reach household budgets. Philip N. Diehl, 35th Director…
Gold and interest rates have often moved in opposite directions, but their relationship is more complicated than the familiar rule that “rates up” means “gold down.” Inflation expectations, the strength of the U.S. dollar, central bank demand, fiscal concerns, and geopolitical uncertainty can all affect gold prices—and sometimes outweigh the influence of interest rates altogether. …
If you’ve started looking into opening a precious metals IRA, you’ve probably run into the word “custodian”—and if you’re like a lot of savers, you may have wondered what that is and why one is required. A gold IRA custodian is an IRS-approved financial institution that holds, administers, and reports on the assets inside a…
Most of our precious metals IRA clients don’t fund their accounts with new cash. Instead, the funds they use to buy gold, silver, and other precious metals within their retirement account come from somewhere else, like a 401(k) from a former employer, a traditional IRA at a brokerage, or a TSP from a federal job.…
For savers and families exploring alternative assets in retirement planning, a self-directed IRA can offer flexibility that traditional brokerage accounts simply don’t provide. Real estate, private notes, precious metals, and other non-public assets can all be held inside a self-directed IRA. But that flexibility comes with a meaningful trade-off: a strict set of IRS rules…
Understanding Gold IRA Fees and Custodian Costs For many savers exploring retirement diversification, one of the first questions that comes up is also one of the most practical: What does it actually cost to own a gold IRA? It’s a fair question. A gold or precious metals IRA involves something a traditional brokerage account does…
For many savers, the conversations that matter most aren’t about their portfolios today—they’re about the future. Who inherits the account? How quickly do funds have to be withdrawn after the original owner passes away? What might the tax bill look like for the people you love? These questions may matter even more when the account…
Baby Boomers are often described as confident—sometimes even labeled stubborn. But that confidence doesn’t come from optimism alone. It was shaped by decades of navigating change, recalibrating during uncertainty, and making decisions without a guaranteed road map. Boomers built their careers during periods of shifting economic conditions, adapted to new technologies mid-career, and lived through…
Throughout my years working in retirement education, I’ve watched Americans navigate uncertainty during some of the most challenging economic periods in modern history. One thing quickly became clear: Risk isn’t just a financial concept—it’s something people feel. And for those above age 60, retirement risk begins to take on a new meaning. It’s no longer…
Generation Xers—those born between 1965 and 1980—rarely ask for permission and rarely expect guarantees. Often described as pragmatic, skeptical, and self-directed, this generation learned early that systems change, institutions fail, and adaptability matters. As Gen Xers moves through peak earning years and deeper into long-term financial planning, they are approaching portfolio decisions increasingly shaped by…
After decades of conversations with retirees, we find that one theme reappears again and again: Most people aren’t searching for complicated financial theories—they’re looking for clarity. After age 60, people’s financial priorities often shift. The focus tends to move away from accumulation narratives and market speculation and toward stability, predictability, and peace of mind. Many…
In conversations with retirees, one tense question comes up frequently: “Do I focus on building more wealth or on keeping what I’ve already built steady and secure?” It’s a deeply personal question. For some, wealth represents flexibility, opportunity, and more options regarding their future. For others, stability represents comfort, predictability, and peace of mind. While…
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