*The companies featured in this article may compensate us with a referral fee. This is not a financial advice article. Refer to a professional for financial advice.
It is always a smart move to invest in something that can protect you against inflation. This is why it is worthwhile to invest in gold. For hundreds of years, gold has proven itself to be an effective tool against inflation. It is sought after due to its versatility. It can be used in many different things such as coins, jewelry, and electronics, among others.
Even if the buying power of the dollar goes down, gold’s value still goes up. So, if you are in search of a portfolio hedge, you should definitely consider gold. Just make sure that you keep your risks low.
Ideally, you have to keep an eye out for reviews on the best gold IRA companies. This way, you will be able to come up with a sound decision that can benefit you in the long run.
The 3 Best Gold IRA Companies of 2021: At a Glance
- Augusta Precious Metals: Best Gold IRA Company Overall
- Goldco: Runner Up
- American Hartford Gold: Great Customer Service
#1 Augusta Precious Metals (5/5 Rating)
If you prefer a gold IRA company that is reputable, transparent, and managed by highly educated individuals, Augusta may be right for you. It is well-known among customers due to its excellent customer service.
It even became more popular when it was endorsed by Joe Montana, a former National Football League (NFL) quarterback. Aside from making sure that customers are happy and satisfied, Augusta also reminds of what they need to look for in gold IRA companies. The company even offers videos that people can watch so that they can avoid making costly mistakes.
Pros
- Good customer service
- Good selection of silver and gold coins
- No record of complaints
- A+ BBB rating
- Easy and transparent account setup
- Very low fees
- Free silver and gold portfolio reviews
- Free comprehensive educational materials
- Endorsed by Joe Montana, a popular and reputable corporate ambassador
- Lifetime customer support
Cons
- Has no palladium or platinum bullion
- Has no small lots of bars and coins
- $50,000 is the minimum IRA deposit
- Account setup can be slow
#2 Goldco (4.8/5 Rating)
Its main focus are silver and gold IRA retirement accounts. Having begun its operations in 2011, the company makes sure that their customers are able to open accounts with ease. This way, they can successfully invest in silver and gold.
The famous Chuck Norris is actually the company’s most widely recognized customer. The actor, screenwriter, movie producer, and martial artist supports the growth initiatives of Goldo to help customers learn about the benefits of investing in silver and gold, as well as using precious metals to protect their pension and 401(k).
Pros
- A+ BBB rating
- Good customer service
- Low annual fees
- Easy account setup
- Competitive prices
- Good selection of silver, gold, and precious metal coins
- Availability of various educational resources
Cons
- Has no bullions
- Account setup is not available online
- $20,000 is the minimum IRA deposit
#3 American Hartford Gold (4.7/5 Rating)
For more than twenty years, American Hartford Gold has served its customers and helped them achieve their investment goals. The company offers precious metals such as silver and gold. They offer bars, coins, and many different assets like American Eagle coins.
In addition, the company has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the world. It has even been endorsed by famous journalist Bill O’Reilly.
Pros
- Good customer service
- A+ BBB Rating
- Good selection of silver and gold bullion
- Buy back commitment
- Price match guarantee
- Free storage of up to three years
- Free silver of up to $1,500
Cons
- Only available in the United States
- Has no annual pricing list on website
What Is a Gold IRA?
Basically, a gold IRA is a retirement account for individuals. It allows investors to invest in gold in the form of coins and bullion. It also allows them to hold precious metal-related securities in their portfolios.
Then again, it has to be kept in mind that a gold IRA cannot be held with a traditional retirement account. Investors can open their gold IRA accounts with the help of a custodian.
How We Ranked the Top Gold IRA Companies
The above-mentioned gold IRA companies have been determined based on several criteria, such as the following:
Reputation and Reviews
We considered how each company was viewed by customers. After all, customers are the backbone of every business. So, we looked at reviews to find out how people viewed these gold IRA companies.
Ease of Setup
Opening an account is the first step to investing in gold IRA. So, it is only proper for us to find out how quick and simple the setting up process is. Customers should be able to set up their accounts with ease and convenience, no matter what their tech savviness level is.
Costs and Fees
We also determined how much gold IRA fees these companies charge. This way, we can find out if they are affordable or not. The ones that offer the lowest fees do not always mean that they are the best or the most customer-friendly. Likewise, those that charge extravagant fees do not always mean that they are superior to the rest. We factored in how much each company charges for setting up an account, storing gold, cashing out, performing wire transfer, maintaining the account per year, and insurance coverage.
Commissions
A lot of companies do not really charge any fees for selling or buying gold. However, there are still those that include markup prices. They add these prices to spot prices as a requirement to complete a transaction. Thus, we also determined how much each company charges for commissions.
Setup Fees
Opening an account should not be a problem to customers. As an investor, you should be able to set up your account as quickly as possible. Likewise, you should not be burdened by the costs involved in setting up an account.
Storage Fees
It is understandable for companies to charge a fee for storage. After all, you will be using their facilities to keep your investment safe and secure. Nonetheless, the fees should not be too steep. They should be reasonable enough for any investor to afford.
Maintenance Fees
Likewise, it is understandable for companies to charge maintenance fees. After all, they are keeping your gold safe and secure. These companies have to pay utility bills as well as employee salaries. So, it is only fair for them to charge maintenance fees. Nonetheless, these fees should still be reasonable.
Selection of Gold and Silver Products
The best gold IRA companies have the best product selections. As an investor, you should be able to access a wide range of products that you can invest in.
Potential Buybacks
It is important for customers to feel confident about setting up a gold IRA account. So, companies should have a good potential buyback plan in case they need to buy back the gold that their customers bought.
Why Invest In a Gold-Based IRA
Investing in a gold-based IRA can save you in the event that the economy falls down. Having gold products to turn to can help keep you afloat. You can sell this gold to have money. After all, the value of gold stays high no matter what the season is.
If you have gold investments, you can preserve your wealth. You can even become wealthier. This is great because you will be able to sustain your needs in spite of economic downturns. You will also be able to pass down your wealth to future generations.
In addition, gold is both portable and tangible. You can touch it as well as bring it with you. You can also collect or trade it. You can rest assured that unlike virtual investments, your gold coins or bars will not be hacked by cyber criminals.
What’s more, you can treat your gold investments as an insurance policy. After all, their risks are minimal and they can be combined with other types of investments. For example, you can invest in both stocks and gold if you want.
As for inflation, weakening currency, and geopolitical uncertainty issues, your gold investments can protect you. As mentioned previously, the value of gold remains high no matter what the situation is. So, you can sustain your needs and maintain your wealth in spite of inflation, weakening currency, and geopolitical uncertainty issues.
Unlike fiat money, gold does not falter. It stays strong at all times. So, even if your local currency starts to weaken, you can stay confident that your gold investments will remain high in value.
When there is an inflation, the prices of commodities usually go up. Everything becomes more expensive from food to gas. People have a hard time keeping up with their lifestyles. Fortunately, with your gold investments, you can be protected against inflation. You will not have to worry that your gold will lose its value. In fact, its value can go even higher.
Gold stays valuable in the face of financial uncertainty. After all, it is used in a wide array of things and is sought after by many. So, even if there are tensions, you can still have peace of mind with gold.
What Is a Gold IRA Rollover?
A gold IRA rollover refers to the transfer of values from a traditional retirement account to a gold IRA account. It functions as an investment alternative. As an investor, you have the option to move your value from a Roth or traditional IRA without being penalized.
What Is the Minimum Investment for a Gold IRA?
There isn’t really a minimum investment required for a gold IRA account. You can technically open an account without any money. Then again, even though the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not have a minimum requirement, most companies still do. So, if you wish to open an account with these companies, you need to abide by their investment requirements.
Should You Buy Gold Bullion or Gold Coins?
Gold is available in many forms, including bullion and coins. While both forms are great, experts recommend choosing coins over bullion. There are various reasons why you may want to go for coins.
For starters, gold coins like the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, American Eagle, and South African Krugerrand are regarded as the best forms of precious metals. So, if you have these pieces, you can easily sell or trade them at high prices.
Where Are the Precious Metals Inside Your Gold IRA Stored?
The precious metals inside your gold IRA are typically stored in a depository. The IRS does not allow investors to store their gold in their own homes. You cannot even store your investments in a depository that has not been approved by the IRS.
If you do not know much about depositories, you can contact a gold IRA custodian and ask for a recommendation. Typically, these custodians are financial entities such as banks, loan associations, and credit unions that are federally insured.
Which IRS-Approved Coins Can You Hold In a Gold IRA?
As an investor, you are allowed to hold an ounce, half, quarter, or tenth of a U.S. gold coin. You are also allowed to hold an ounce of silver coins.
Final Thoughts – Which Gold IRA Company Is Right for You?
Now that you have reached the end of this article, you should already have a good understanding of gold IRA and gold investments. Indeed, gold is an excellent investment product. It is even better than other investments in many ways. If you have gold, you have a valuable asset that can protect you against many economic problems.
With the vast amounts of gold IRA companies available today, you surely have a lot of options. Nevertheless, you should always take certain factors into consideration before you decide which company to open an account with. You should also consider the pros and cons. Hopefully, this article has been able to help you learn more about gold IRA and understand gold investments better.
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