The Best Silver IRA Companies | Top Six Options for 2024
With the global economy in such a state of uncertainty and the rising inflation seemingly unstoppable, never has the need to invest in gold and silver been more urgent.
Having large amounts of money stored in banks is just not a feasible option anymore; neither is turning to paper assets as people used to do.
We need a more robust and resilient form of investment, which is where precious metals IRAs come in.
With precious metal IRAs, investors can rest assured that their financial future is secured in an investment that has the best chance of weathering any economic volatility and turmoil that may arise.
However, all of this depends on whether you can choose the right IRA company to handle your investment portfolio. The wrong choice could easily lead to you losing the money you worked so hard for.
This article will help you to avoid that scenario by making a well-informed decision on the precious metals IRA companies you choose to do business with. We will look at seven great options that are poised to take 2023 by storm.
If you are ready to diversify your investment portfolio into silver coins and other precious metals, you are in the right place. Read on to discover how you can use precious metals IRAs to secure financial freedom once and for all.
OR, skip right ahead to our #1 Recommendation and get up to $10,000 in FREE SILVER! —> Get My Free Guide.
A precious metals IRA is a retirement savings account that is based on a wide range of IRS-approved precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion/coins and bars.
These precious metals are held in a secure depository, as per IRS rules, and allow the investor to diversify their retirement savings portfolio to reduce the risk posed by inflation and economic uncertainty.
The most common metals used in a precious metals IRA are gold and silver, due to their popularity and availability. Silver coins and bars are proving to be quite popular among investors in many parts of the world.
When you open a precious metals IRA, certain IRS regulations must be followed regarding how you choose to invest in your silver and gold coins, such as:
You cannot keep your physical gold and silver bullion; it must be stored in a depository the IRS approves
If you fund your precious metal IRA using a rollover, you can only do so once every 12 months
Only certain levels of purity of gold and silver are eligible for your precious metal IRAs
You can only work with an IRS-approved precious metal IRA custodian
Why Invest in a Gold and Silver IRA?
Gold and silver coins, as well as other precious metals, have long been regarded as great investment options for a variety of reasons, such as:
Hedge Against Inflation
Nothing is worse than sitting by helplessly while the rising inflation slowly eats away a huge chunk of your retirement savings. If your retirement age is still far away, you stand to lose a lot of money this way.
However, gold and silver bullion coins and bars are immune to such issues, meaning you can rest assured that no matter how bad the economic climate becomes, your savings will be secure.
Many Industrial Applications
It pays to invest in something that has actual real-world value. Gold and silver both have a lot of industrial, technological, and medical application which mean these metals will continue to be important to us for many years to come.
Tax Benefits
There is a wide range of tax benefits to be had when you choose to diversify into a precious metals IRA. Your account will not only be exempted from any capital gains tax but you will also not be taxed on any interest or dividends earned on your account.
Furthermore, you will also get to enjoy the same tax-deferred benefits as those of traditional IRAs, which will allow your earnings to grow tax-free until you reach the age of retirement.
Precious Metals Maintain Value
Over time, paper assets tend to lose value as technology and the economy continues to shift. However, with physical precious metals, you are guaranteed that your investment will maintain its value for a long time.
The world will always need precious metals, which means anyone investing in a silver and gold IRA is securing their future investments in the best way possible.
Deflation Protection
When the opposite of inflation happens, prices will decrease very drastically meaning there will be too much money in circulation and not enough goods and services to go around. This situation is called deflation.
An example is the Great Depression which started in 1929 and lasted over a decade. During this time, a lot of people turned to physical precious metals to store their money.
Investment Portfolio Diversification
Asset diversification is the key to minimizing the risks posed by certain investments. Paper assets, such as stocks bonds, and mutual funds are great investment opportunities and should by no means be disregarded.
However, because of inflation, rising interest rates, and stock market volatility, it is important to have some of your money secured elsewhere, which is where precious metals IRAs come into play.
Top Six Silver IRA Companies
To make your decision easier, we have researched the top custodians for investing in precious metals and we came up with a list of seven silver and gold IRA companies that you should consider which are:
Goldco – Best silver and gold IRA company overall
Augusta Precious Metals – Best customer support
American Hartford Gold – Best Fee Structure
Birch Gold Group- Best Staff Overall
Noble Gold – Great Selection of Silver, Platinum, and Palladium Coins
Oxford Gold Group – Best Gold IRA Reviews
All the gold IRA companies on this list come highly recommended by our expert investors. However, we decided to rank them in order starting with the gold IRA company that we think is the best choice for 2023 investors, as follows:
Goldco – Best Silver and Gold IRA Company Overall
Ask any experienced gold IRA investor who they think is the best custodian to open a silver IRA with and chances are they will say Goldco.
This is a company that has many years of experience under its belt and investors stand to benefit a lot from the skills it has acquired.
It has a wide range of precious metals to choose from and with just a $50,000 minimum investment, you too can open your very own silver and gold IRA with the best company in the business.
The quality of their products is unquestionable, with silver coins and bars having a purity of 99.99% as per IRS requirements.
Established in 2006, Goldco has its main branch in Woodland Hills, California but caters to clients from around the world.
Its solid customer service, reliable products, and professional way of doing business have earned the company an impressive A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau.
If you are considering placing the supervision of your gold IRA account in the hands of the best precious metals IRA custodian, look at the following pros and cons:
Pros
- Transparent and competitive pricing
- Stellar customer service
- Wide selection of IRA-approved silver and gold coins
- A+ BBB rating
Cons
- The $50,000 minimum investment required makes it inaccessible for some investors on a limited budget
- Doesn’t offer palladium and platinum IRAs
- Charging for various services is too much
- The silver and gold bullion bars are limited
What We Liked Best
With Goldco, it is hard to pick just one good thing about the gold IRA company because it excels in so many different aspects.
We liked the fact that it is a complete and well-rounded gold IRA custodian that caters to every need the client might have. Therefore, Goldco deserves the number one spot on our list.
Augusta Precious Metals- Best Customer Support
Another well-known silver and gold IRA custodian is Augusta Precious Metals. It’s a reputable gold IRA company that provides some of the best customer support services you could ever find.
This attention to customer care has ensured that Augusta Precious Metals has received no complaints on review platforms regarding customer support and currently enjoys an A+ BBB rating.
Like Goldco, Augusta Precious Metals has a minimum investment requirement of $50,000. It also has various other custodial charges, such as $35 for transactions, a $25 registration fee, and $250 attorney fees. In addition to these costs, you will also have to fork out $125 in custodial fees annually.
When it comes to storage, Augusta Precious Metals is partial to the Delaware depository, which is an IRS-approved holding facility for gold or silver IRA precious metals. The depository fees are reasonable, and it has facilities in different sites across the country, which minimizes transportation costs.
The following are the pros and Cons of this silver and gold IRA custodian that you should know:
Pros
- Top-tier customer support throughout the entire process
- Complaints and queries are handled quickly on its round-the-clock live chat platforms
- Storage is secured and insured thanks to its partnership with the Delaware depository
- It is quick and easy to set up an IRA account
- Great reviews from customers with no complaints to speak of
Cons
- There are no palladium or platinum IRAs
- Some people are upset about the service prices
- Minimum investment of $50,000
- A limited number of bullion bars and gold bars are available
What We Liked Best
Any customer would feel very much at home and valued when they open a gold IRA account with Augusta Precious Metals, which is the one thing we liked most of all.
American Hartford Gold – Best Fee Structure
If you are hoping to still have enough money to leave comfortably by the time you retire, one area you must watch very carefully is the fees you are being asked to pay.
It may seem like very little right now, but after some years it will all add up to become a substantial amount.
That is why we recommend opening a silver and gold IRA account with American Hartford Gold. This family-owned precious metal investments company has a very low $10,000 minimum investment required to open your account. On top of that, American Hartford Gold only charges $75 annually for custodial fees.
However, these affordable costs do not mean the company is cutting any corners in terms of services or the quality of products. On the contrary, American Hartford Gold has received excellent customer service reviews on BBB due to its efficient way of handling customer queries.
The only downside to its otherwise great fee structure is that there is a bit of a lack of transparency concerning the upfront fees clients are expected to pay. The following are some of the other pros and cons:
Pros
- BBB rated American Hartford Gold A+
- Excellent customer service ratings with great pricing
- Great Buyback with no liquidation fees involved
- A $10,000 minimum investment is required
- It has a wide range of gold and silver products to choose from
- Reliable 24-hour customer service
Cons
- Little information about upfront fees
- No shipping available outside the United States
- No prices are listed on the company’s official online catalog
What We Liked Best
The best thing about American Hartford Gold is the very affordable fees they charge, including a low minimum deposit requirement.
Birch Gold Group- Best Staff Overall
Founded in 2003, Birch Gold Group is one of the oldest and most experienced silver and gold IRA companies on this list. The reason why it has been in business for so long is because of the great staff that makes up the Birch Gold Group team.
The gold IRA industry is a tough place to run a business, which is why having the best people on your team is essential for success.
Birch Gold Group specialists are on hand to assist customers with everything they may need, from doing a 401(k) rollover, to safely storing their gold in a secure depository facility.
Just a $10,000 minimum deposit is required to give you access to one of the most diverse catalogs of precious metals you can use for your gold IRA. When you register, you will get a free information kit and a host of other educational resources to help you get started on your gold IRA account.
Gold IRA companies that have such an experienced panel of precious metals experts are few and far between. This makes Birch Gold Group one of the premier gold IRA custodians to consider for your 2023 investment portfolios. These are a few of the pros and cons you can take note of:
Pros
- Transparent custodial fees
- Great staff with loads of precious metal knowledge and experience
- Assistance with your 401(k), Roth IRA, or conventional IRA rollover is part of the package
- Wide precious metal selection
- Offers gold, silver, and palladium IRAs
Cons
- You need to purchase precious metals worth at least $50,000 at a time
- Customer support is slow due to a lack of a live chat option
What We Liked Best
The treatment you get from the experienced staff at Birch Gold Group is next to none, which will keep clients coming back for more.
Noble Gold – Great Selection of Silver, Platinum, and Palladium Coins
When you decide to start a precious metal investment account, ideally, you want to be able to pick and choose the precious metals that you want to invest in from a wide range of options. That is what top gold IRA companies offer, which is why Noble Gold is right up there among the best.
After you complete your gold IRA rollover, the staff at Noble Gold will assist you with the next stage of your precious metals investment journey, which is picking out the right metals to invest in. From gold and silver coins to platinum and palladium bullion bars, you can have it all at Noble Gold.
The gold IRA company even has Royal Survival Packs of specially selected precious metals that have high liquidity, such as platinum coins. This pack can come in very handy in case of an emergency that requires quick access to a large amount of money.
Pros
- Great A+ BBB rating
- Customer support is top-notch
- Wide range of precious metals to choose from
- Good investment advice from its experienced staff members
Cons
- Lack of educational resources
- Royal Survival Pack is only available in the US
What We Liked Best
We loved the fact that we could pick and choose the precious metals for our gold IRA and Royal Survival Pack from a large pool of precious metal coins and bars.
Oxford Gold Group – Best Gold IRA Reviews
One of the biggest tools in your arsenal when you are searching for the best custodian to handle your self-directed IRA is using genuine online customer reviews. It is better to rely on the word of a fellow customer when picking the right company to work with.
That is why chose Oxford Gold Group because of the stellar reviews it received on review platforms, such as the Better Business Bureau.
From conducting a gold IRA rollover to managing their retirement account, many customers expressed satisfaction with how Oxford Gold Group handled clients compared to other gold IRA providers.
Pros
- Great reviews on BBB and other customer review platforms
- Transparent fee structure
- Easy to open gold IRAs
- Low setup fee
Cons
- Needs a wider selection of precious metals
- No survival or emergency kits
What We Liked Best
The confidence we felt regarding the abilities of Oxford Gold Group in handling our retirement account stemmed from the many stellar customer reviews about the company that we came across.
How we Ranked the Top Precious Metal IRA Companies
We came up with this comprehensive list of silver and gold IRA companies based on a variety of factors, such as:
The reputation of the precious metals IRA companies is based on how well they have conducted their business over the last few years
Customer reviews on major platforms, such as the Better Business Bureau
How easy the setup process was
The average costs and associated custodial fee structure of each silver and gold IRA company
How diverse the selection of physical gold and silver coins, as well as other precious metals, is
Any perks and buy-backs offered by any of the precious metals IRA companies featured on the list
Precious Metal IRA Rollovers
Before you invest in precious metals IRAs, you must decide how you are going to finance your IRA account. Unfortunately, it is not just a matter of walking into any Silver IRA company and paying for a few pounds of precious metals.
There is a procedure that needs to be followed due to the IRS regulations that govern IRA investments.
The main reasons for these regulations are the tax benefits that come with investing in silver and gold IRA companies as well as the high value of precious metals.
As such, most custodians will advise their clients to initiate a precious metals IRA rollover of funds from their 401(k) or another type of retirement account.
Of course, there is also the option of a direct transfer from your bank account, which we will look at shortly.
Important Steps To A Silver IRA Rollover
When using a Silver IRA rollover to finance your account, the IRS is very strict on what you can do. If you do not follow every step to the letter, you risk having your rollover denied or suffering severe tax penalties down the line.
That is why it is important to be very clear about what is required from you before you begin. If you want to stay on the right side of the IRS rules and regulations, make sure you take the following steps:
Find a reliable Precious metals IRA Custodian
We cannot overstate the importance of putting your precious metal IRAs in the hands of a reliable and trustworthy company.
Gold and silver are very valuable commodities and as such, they tend to attract a lot of criminal elements.
The precious metals industry is plagued by scammers and fraudsters who will look for any opportunity to take advantage of unsuspecting precious metals investors.
Therefore, you must work with only IRS-approved custodians, such as the silver IRA custodians mentioned in this article.
Select Finance Method
If you haven’t already decided how you will finance your precious metals IRA, now is the time to do so. There is one of two ways to go about it, namely:
IRA Rollovers
Silver IRA rollovers are the easiest way to fund your precious metals IRA. With the help of the right custodian, the process is very easy, and you will not have to do much other than approve the transfer online.
However, you must know that the IRS only allows a single rollover annually. If you have already rolled over funds from your 401(k) into another account, for example, a self-directed IRA such as a Roth IRA or traditional IRA, you will have to find other means to fund your Silver IRA.
Another thing to remember is that once the funds have been deposited into your bank account, you need to move them to your silver and gold IRA within 60 days or risk severe tax penalties. You will be penalized up to 10% of the funds still in your account if you fail to comply with this stipulation.
Transfer funds Directly
The other option is to transfer funds directly to your precious metals IRAs. This method is mainly used by self-employed individuals without a 401(k) to rely on. It incurs certain transfer charges that you will need to pay before the transfer is approved.
However, in terms of risks and complexity, a bank transfer is just as safe as a rollover if it is handled by the right custodian and you make sure you keep track of your account online while the transfer is happening.
Choose a Storage Option
Lastly, you will have to choose how and where you intend to store your precious metals. As we have already mentioned, you are not allowed to keep your physical precious metals by yourself. If you do so, the IRS will impose harsh penalties on your silver and gold IRA accounts.
A reputable gold IRA company representative will advise you on the best options regarding storage.
They usually have a few preferred depositories that they will advise you to work with, such as the Delaware depository service.
Unfortunately, paying storage fees is something you will not be able to escape. As such, you should choose your depository very carefully, remembering that you will likely be keeping your precious metals in their facility for a very long time.
Critical Industrial Applications of Silver
What makes precious metals, silver, in particular, such a good candidate for the best precious metals IRA account?
The reason why gold and silver investments are so popular is that they offer a certain level of security due to their wide-ranging industrial applications, such as:
Solar Energy
Renewable energy has been a hot topic for a few years now, and right at the top of the list of sustainable energy options is solar energy.
With such high global interest in this technology, it would stand to reason that any materials used in the manufacture of solar panels would be in high demand. Silver, as it so happens, has a very high sensitivity to light.
When applied to solar technology, this sensitivity is used in the manufacture of Photovoltaic cells that are needed to convert sunlight into energy.
Photography
Here also, the light sensitivity of silver is used in the development of photographs. Although the photography industry is moving more towards digital formats, silver is still used in imaging systems that are essential to radiography and machinery inspection.
Medicine
It has long been known that silver is a very potent antibacterial agent. This, along with its safety for human applications makes silver a very important metal in the medical industry.
Global Demand for Silver
Just like the global race to acquire as much physical gold as possible, silver has also been on the radar of most countries in the world.
China and India, the traditional large-scale consumers of precious metal assets, have also been buying as much silver as they can.
China has even gone as far as to encourage its citizens to buy silver bullion bars by placing these in its local banks.
The global demand for silver is unlikely to go down any time soon because of the following reasons:
Silver is a very rare natural resource
It is easily manipulated to make it useful in various industries
Silver is an important component of money
If silver continues to be in high demand, it will remain a worthwhile investment option for anyone looking to diversify their retirement account using precious metals.
Types of Silver You can Hold in an IRA
When it comes to precious metals IRAs, you cannot just buy any silver or gold bullion and add it to your IRA account. There are certain requirements regarding the purity of your precious metals that are regulated by the IRS.
A purity level of 99.5% for gold, platinum, and palladium, and 99.9% for silver bullion bars are the minimum requirement set by the IRS. In addition, there are certain types of precious metal coins that you can buy, such as:
Canadian Maple Leaf Coins
American Silver Eagle Coins
Chinese Silver Panda Coins
Silver Britannia Coins
Austrian Silver Philharmonic Coins
Mexican Silver Libertad Coins
Final Thoughts
If you are worried about the financial security of your existing retirement accounts, it’s time to speak to your financial advisor about opening a Silver IRA.
With the economy in such disarray, you need other retirement solutions based on precious physical assets to protect your funds.
Investing in precious metals IRA companies is the best way to endure that you never have to worry about not having any money when you retire.
In that regard, we have chosen Goldco as the best custodian to handle your alternative investments. Do not waste any more time! Rollover funds from your existing IRA account and buy physical gold and silver today!
