Gold IRA Rules, Limits & Best Custodians

The IRS rules around Gold IRAs are strict. Get them wrong and the account can be disqualified, triggering taxes and penalties on the full balance.

Eligible Metals

Gold: .995+ purity (American Eagle is grandfathered at .9167). Silver: .999+. Platinum and palladium: .9995+. Approved products include American Eagle (gold, silver, platinum), American Buffalo (gold), Canadian Maple Leaf, Austrian Philharmonic, and bars from approved refiners.

Storage

IRA-held metals must be stored at an IRS-approved depository. You cannot take physical possession. Common depositories: Delaware Depository, Brink's Global Services, International Depository Services, Texas Bullion Depository.

Contribution Limits

Same as traditional IRA: $7,000/year ($8,000 if 50+) for 2025. Rollovers from 401(k) or other IRAs are not subject to the annual limit.

Best Custodians

Equity Trust, STRATA Trust, GoldStar Trust and Kingdom Trust are the most-used self-directed IRA custodians for precious metals. The IRA dealer (Noble Gold, Augusta, etc.) typically handles custodian selection.

Required Minimum Distributions

RMDs apply at age 73 (Traditional Gold IRA). RMDs can be taken in-kind (physical metals shipped to you) or by selling metals and distributing cash. Roth Gold IRAs have no RMDs.