A transfer or rollover,
step by step.
Moving retirement funds into physical metals is a well-worn administrative process. It is not complicated, but it does have to be done in the right order — and in the right way, so that it is not treated as a distribution.
Transfer or rollover — the difference matters
A transfer
Funds move directly from your current IRA custodian to the new self-directed custodian. The money never touches your hands. There is no limit on how many transfers you can do, no withholding and no 60-day clock. This is the route we use wherever possible, and the one most of our clients take.
A rollover
Funds are distributed to you and you redeposit them within 60 days. This is used mainly when moving from an old employer plan such as a 401(k). It can trigger withholding, and missing the 60-day window has real tax consequences — which is why we prefer a direct trustee-to-trustee movement whenever the plan permits it.
Either way, done correctly, this is not a taxable event and there is no early withdrawal penalty. Your own tax professional should confirm how it applies to your particular account — we are not tax advisers.
A conversation first
Before any paperwork we talk about what you hold now, how much of it you are thinking of moving, and whether this is actually appropriate for your situation. If it is not, we will tell you. There is no cost to this and no obligation.
Open the self-directed account
A standard IRA cannot hold physical metal — it has to be a self-directed IRA with a custodian equipped for it. We introduce you to a qualified custodian and prepare the application with you. It takes about fifteen minutes and the custodian, not us, holds the account.
Fund it from your existing plan
The new custodian requests the funds from your current provider. You choose the amount — you can move part of an account and leave the balance invested exactly where it is. You do not need to liquidate everything.
Choose your metals
We go through the IRS-eligible coins and bars, what each is suited to, and exactly what the premium over spot is on each before you decide anything. You will see the number in writing. Nothing is bought until you say so.
Metals ship to the depository
The metal is shipped insured directly to an IRS-approved depository and recorded in your IRA's name. It is not pooled with anyone else's holdings and it is not lent out. You receive statements showing exactly what is held.
Afterwards
The same person who set the account up handles it from then on — additional contributions, questions, and eventually distributions. At distribution you may take cash by selling the metal back, or take physical delivery of the metal itself, under the standard IRA rules for your age and account type.
What it costs
Three components, and you will see all three before you commit:
- The premium over spot — what you pay above the market price of the metal itself, which changes with market conditions and supply and demand dynamics.
- An annual custodian fee — charged by the custodian for administering the account, not by us.
- An annual storage and insurance fee — charged by the depository. Silver costs more to store than gold for the same dollar value, because it takes far more space.
There is no separate advisory fee and no ongoing management charge, because we do not manage the account — you own it, the custodian administers it, and the depository stores it.
Ready to talk it through?
Book a call at a time that suits you, or simply pick up the phone. No obligation, and no follow-up you have not asked for.