Put simply, gold is money – money that cannot be printed or debased. What better way to save for retirement than with the ultimate savings vehicle — physical gold. For an in-depth look at gold’s role in preserving assets under adverse economic circumstances, we recommend the study, Black SwansYellow Gold – How gold performs in periods of deflation, disinflation, stagflation, and hyperinflation“. The study draws from the historical record to show why many view gold as an investment for all seasons.

Yes. As a matter of fact, most precious metals’ retirement plans at USAGOLD begin with a rollover. The current law allows for both transfers from IRAs as well as rollovers from qualified retirement plans, such as 401(k), 401(a), 403(b), 457, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and annuities. We have a great deal of experience with this process and can help you navigate it with a minimum of brain damage. Because of the annual fees for storage, insurance, and management (approx. $225/year), precious metals IRAs are most economical when their value is higher, and that is where a rollover makes a great deal of sense. Someone just starting an IRA would need a few years to accumulate a large enough account to make it cost-effective, even with maximum yearly contributions. Please see our IRA rollover Q&A for detailed guidelines.

Choosing the right gold firm can mean the difference between success and failure as a gold owner. Choose the right firm, and it will help you stay the course on protecting your assets from economic uncertainties. Choose the wrong firm, and your funds can be diverted to an assortment of bullion-related investments and/or derivative investments that are not truly asset preservation vehicles. Gold stocks, for example, are an investment in stocks first and gold bullion second. Mint state and proof coins graded by independent services usually sell for high mark-ups over their gold value, which immediately puts the buyer at a disadvantage. Precious metals exchange-traded funds and certificates introduce counter-party and systemic risk to the investment equation. These are just three examples of the kinds of investments that can lead the investor away from the stability of conventional coin and bullion investments and generally should be avoided by investors whose goals include building a hedge against economic certainties or a long-term store of value. (Related: Please see “Beware proof gold and silver American Eagles including graded PF70, American Buffalos and Eagles graded MS70″)

First and most important: Check the Better Business Bureau’s profile on a company before doing business with it. Check not only its rating but the number of complaints, the type of complaint, and how those complaints were handled. A consistent record of complaints can be a warning sign even if it has managed to keep an A+ rating. This is a simple and straightforward step every first-time investor should take, but it is amazing how many ignore it. Second, choose a gold firm that has a solid track record. Ten years in business is good; fifteen years or more is even better. Third, choose a firm with a commitment to keeping you informed, i.e., one that is interested in answering your questions now and keeping you informed in the future. If a salesperson gives you short shrift or hits you with a heavy sales pitch, take it as a warning.

We at USAGOLD see the checkbook IRA as a risky, problematic approach to precious metals retirement planning and a bad choice for our clientele. The traditional self-directed IRA account placed with a solid trust company is still the safest avenue for the retirement investor and the one most likely to deliver the intended results. Here we provide a full analysis of this approach to using precious metals for your retirement plan. We strongly suggest reading it before committing your hard-earned retirement funds to this questionable strategy.

Note: After posting this page, the Wall Street Journal published an article stating that the “IRS has issued a stern warning” against personal storage of IRA gold holdings. The IRS, says the WSJ, “warns taxpayers to be wary of anyone claiming that precious metals held in your IRA can be stored at home or in a safe-deposit box.”