Best Gold IRAs of 2024

American Bullion was founded in 2009 by two commodity brokers during the financial crisis when investors were eager for tangible assets. American Bullion specializes in converting IRAs, 401(k)s and other retirement plans into precious metals and delivering gold to investors’ doors. You can access U.S. and European pre-1933 coins and any type of gold bullion coins and bars.

While there are no initial purchase requirements or account minimums, American Bullion recommends rolling over at least $10,000 to compensate for fees. There is a $40 transaction fee. American Bullion uses STRATA as its custodian, and there are annual and account setup fees based on the IRA type and amount invested.

American Bullion is a member of the American Numismatic Association, Industry Council for Tangible Assets and Professional Coin Grading Service.

• Account minimum: $0.
• Initial purchase requirement: $0.

APMEX, or American Precious Metals Exchange, has been in business for more than 20 years. It started when the founder began selling his grandfather’s coin collection on eBay and has grown to a billion-dollar company based in the former Federal Reserve Bank of Oklahoma City. APMEX has sold more than 130 million ounces of gold and silver around the world.

To open an account, you’ll need at least $2,000, and APMEX has a minimum buyback of $1,000. If you pay by check, e-check or bank wire, you get a 4% discount.

There are no fees except for shipping orders under $199. The company partners with four custodians, who may charge fees on their end.

• Account minimum: $2,000.
• Initial purchase requirement: $2,000.

Birch Gold Group has been in business since 2003 and has a host of celebrity and public figure endorsements. Perhaps this should be expected given that it’s headquartered across the street from Warner Bros. Studios.

The company sells precious metals as well as gold IRAs with four storage options. Birch Gold has an initial purchase requirement of $10,000. There are also fees to be aware of, including $50 to set up an account, $30 for wire transfers, and annual charges of $100 for storage/insurance and a $125 management fee, plus a 5% gold transaction fee. If you transfer more than $50,000, the company will pay your fees for the first year.

• Account minimum: $0.
• Initial purchase requirement: $10,000.

Since its founding in 2011, JM Bullion has received numerous awards for its growth, workplace culture and customer service. The company ships more than 60,000 orders each month across the four primary precious metals — gold, silver, platinum and palladium — plus copper. It offers sovereign mint-issued gold coins and gold bars issued by private refineries.

There are no initial purchase requirements, account minimums or transaction fees for gold IRAs. Shipping is free for orders over $199. Orders under $199 pay a flat $9.95. Customers can choose from three custodians: Equity Trust, Goldstar and STRATA Trust Company.

The downside to JM Bullion is its buyback program. There is a minimum buyback of $1,000. If you decide not to send in your items after locking in a price and receiving a buyback number, you’ll be responsible for any market loss fees at the time you want to cancel.

• Account minimum: $0.
• Initial purchase requirement: $0.

Patriot Gold Group’s tagline for its IRAs is “no fee for life.” It reimburses rollover fees and will even pay storage and insurance fees for qualifying IRAs. ConsumerAffairs has rated the company a top gold IRA dealer every year since 2016. Patriot Gold Group deals in only gold and silver, making it one of the most specialized companies on this list.

Gold IRAs can be opened online within 24 hours with a $25,000 minimum. But there is no initial purchase requirement or gold transaction fee. You can choose between two custodians: Equity Trust and STRATA. Patriot Gold Group also offers 10 types of IRA-eligible gold coins.

Customer service is available via phone, email and live chat. While the site offers a “knowledge center,” the resources are limited and not well updated.

• Account minimum: $25,000.
• Initial purchase requirement: $0.

Like AMPEX, Monetary Gold was founded in 2000. It offers gold and silver IRAs. Accounts can be set up in as little as 48 hours, but the full process takes two weeks. Monetary Gold works with Equity Trust as its custodian and has a $10,000 account minimum and initial purchase requirement.

You can choose between taking physical delivery for a flat fee of $30 or storing your gold at the Delaware Depository, where fees start at $100 for up to $100,000 of gold, plus a dollar for every $1,000 of gold thereafter. By storing the gold in Delaware, customers can benefit from tax breaks offered in the state, including no personal property tax or commercial net worth tax.

Monetary Gold offers free workshops and consultations with advisors.

• Account minimum: $10,000.
• Initial purchase requirement: $10,000.

Preserve Gold Group strives for a “concierge-level experience.” The company has a team of precious metal specialists who can guide you through the decision and investment process, and it shares up-to-date news articles about the economy and gold.

You can open a gold IRA account with $20,000 but must call one of the company’s specialists to do so. It can take up to three days for the funds to reach your account, after which you can begin buying gold. The purchase process is also conducted over the phone, though you can initiate it by submitting an online form.

Preserve offers a satisfaction guarantee that gives you 24 hours to cancel an order after locking in your pricing. The company also promises to match or beat any competitor’s price and to buy back your metals at no cost. New clients qualify for free two-day shipping, subject to minimum purchase requirements.

• Account minimum: $20,000.
• Initial purchase requirement: $25,000.