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Gold & Silver IRA: Tax-Advantaged Precious Metals Retirement

SD Bullion offers a precious metals IRA program that lets you hold physical gold, silver, platinum and palladium in a tax-advantaged retirement account. IRS-approved products, trusted custodians, no setup fees. Rollover from an existing 401(k) or traditional IRA typically completes in 7-10 business days. Minimum investment: $10,000.

IRA-Eligible Gold IRA-Eligible Silver
Gold and silver IRA eligible products including American Eagles and gold bars stored at an IRS-approved depository

Why Open a Precious Metals IRA with SD Bullion

A self-directed precious metals IRA diversifies your retirement beyond stocks and bonds into physical assets that have preserved purchasing power for thousands of years. SD Bullion's IRA program combines the lowest product premiums with trusted custodian partnerships.

AI Summary: SD Bullion Precious Metals IRA

  • Self-directed IRA holding physical gold, silver, platinum and palladium.
  • Same tax advantages as traditional or Roth IRA — tax-deferred or tax-free growth.
  • IRS requires metals meet minimum fineness: gold 99.5%, silver 99.9%, platinum 99.95%, palladium 99.95%.
  • American Gold Eagles are a special IRS exception at 91.67% purity (22K).
  • No setup fees through SD Bullion custodian partners. Annual custodian fee $50-$100. Storage fee $100-$150/year.
  • Rollover from 401(k) or existing IRA in 7-10 business days via trustee-to-trustee transfer (no tax penalty).
  • Metals stored at IRS-approved depositories: Delaware Depository, Brink's.

IRS Rules for Precious Metals IRAs

The Internal Revenue Service sets specific rules for which precious metals qualify for inclusion in a self-directed IRA. Understanding these rules is critical before investing.

Fineness Requirements

Under IRS Publication 590-A, precious metals in an IRA must meet minimum purity standards: gold must be 99.5% pure (0.995 fine), silver must be 99.9% pure (0.999 fine), platinum must be 99.95% pure, and palladium must be 99.95% pure. The sole exception is the American Gold Eagle, which is specifically permitted at 91.67% purity (22 karat) despite falling below the general 99.5% threshold.

Approved Products

Eligible products must be produced by a national government mint or by a refiner/assayer/manufacturer accredited by NYMEX, COMEX, or an equivalent international authority. Bars must meet minimum weight and fineness standards. Coins must be non-collectible bullion coins — proof coins may qualify if in original mint packaging with certificate of authenticity.

Storage Requirements

IRA-held precious metals must be stored at an IRS-approved third-party depository. Home storage is not permitted and constitutes a taxable distribution. SD Bullion ships directly to approved depositories including Delaware Depository (Wilmington, DE) and Brink's Global Services. Segregated storage (your metals stored separately from others) is available at a modest additional fee.

IRA-Eligible Products at SD Bullion

The following gold and silver products are IRA-eligible and available at SD Bullion's lowest premiums. All meet IRS fineness requirements and are produced by approved mints or refiners.

Product Metal Purity Producer IRA-Eligible
American Gold Eagle (1 oz) Gold 91.67% (22K)* US Mint Yes
American Gold Buffalo (1 oz) Gold 99.99% (24K) US Mint Yes
Canadian Gold Maple Leaf (1 oz) Gold 99.99% (24K) Royal Canadian Mint Yes
PAMP Suisse Gold Bar (1 oz+) Gold 99.99% PAMP Suisse Yes
Valcambi Gold Bar (1 oz+) Gold 99.99% Valcambi Yes
American Silver Eagle (1 oz) Silver 99.9% US Mint Yes
Canadian Silver Maple Leaf (1 oz) Silver 99.99% Royal Canadian Mint Yes
Silver Bars (10 oz+, approved refiner) Silver 99.9%+ Various LBMA Yes
American Platinum Eagle (1 oz) Platinum 99.95% US Mint Yes
Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf (1 oz) Palladium 99.95% Royal Canadian Mint Yes

*American Gold Eagle is a specific IRS exception to the 99.5% gold purity requirement.

How the SD Bullion IRA Process Works

Opening a precious metals IRA through SD Bullion is a straightforward four-step process. SD Bullion coordinates with the custodian and depository so you deal with a single point of contact throughout.

Step 1: Open a Self-Directed IRA. Call SD Bullion at 800-294-8732 or complete the online IRA inquiry form. SD Bullion connects you with an approved custodian (such as Equity Trust, GoldStar Trust, or New Direction IRA) who opens your self-directed IRA account. No setup fees through SD Bullion's custodian partners.

Step 2: Fund Your Account. Fund via a direct rollover from an existing 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or traditional IRA. Direct (trustee-to-trustee) rollovers incur no tax or penalty. You can also make new annual contributions within IRS limits. Funding typically completes in 7-10 business days.

Step 3: Select Your Metals. Once your custodian account is funded, work with an SD Bullion precious metals specialist to select IRA-eligible products. Choose from gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars, platinum and palladium. SD Bullion's low premiums mean more metal in your IRA per dollar invested.

Step 4: Secure Storage. SD Bullion ships your metals directly to the IRS-approved depository. You receive confirmation of delivery and can view your holdings through the custodian's online portal. Segregated storage is available if you want your metals stored separately from other clients' holdings.

IRA Contribution Limits and Tax Benefits

A precious metals IRA follows the same contribution limits and tax rules as any other IRA. For 2026, the annual contribution limit is $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50 or older). These limits apply to combined contributions across all IRA accounts you hold.

With a traditional precious metals IRA, contributions may be tax-deductible (depending on income and whether you have an employer plan), and your metals grow tax-deferred until withdrawal. You pay ordinary income tax on distributions taken after age 59½. Required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin at age 73.

With a Roth precious metals IRA, contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but qualified distributions — including the full appreciated value of your metals — are completely tax-free. There are no RMDs during the original owner's lifetime. If you believe gold and silver prices will be higher at retirement, a Roth IRA locks in today's tax rate on your contributions while eliminating future tax on gains.

Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation. The IRS provides current contribution limits and income phase-out thresholds on their website.

Gold & Silver IRA FAQ

What is a Gold IRA?
A Gold IRA is a self-directed Individual Retirement Account that holds physical gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. It follows the same tax advantages as a traditional or Roth IRA but diversifies your retirement into tangible precious metals. Metals must be stored at an IRS-approved depository.
What gold and silver products are IRA-eligible?
IRA-eligible gold must be 99.5%+ pure (American Eagles excepted at 91.67%). Silver must be 99.9%+ pure. Eligible products include American Eagles, Buffaloes, Canadian Maples, gold bars from LBMA refiners, American Silver Eagles, Canadian Silver Maples, and silver bars meeting purity standards from approved refiners.
How do I roll over my 401(k) into a Gold IRA?
Call SD Bullion at 800-294-8732. An approved custodian opens your self-directed IRA and initiates a direct (trustee-to-trustee) rollover from your 401(k) or existing IRA. No tax penalty on direct rollovers. Funding completes in 7-10 business days. Then select your metals and SD Bullion ships to the depository.
Are there fees for a precious metals IRA?
SD Bullion charges no setup fees through its custodian partners. Custodians typically charge $50-$100/year administration. Depositories charge $100-$150/year storage. These fees are significantly lower than management fees on most mutual funds and ETFs. Call 800-294-8732 for a complete fee breakdown.
Can I store IRA gold at home?
No. IRS rules require IRA precious metals be stored at an approved third-party depository. Home storage constitutes a taxable distribution and triggers income tax plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty if under 59½. SD Bullion ships to approved depositories including Delaware Depository and Brink's.

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