Michael Lehman, Editor of Plain Talk Retirement
What Michael does, and what he does not do
Michael Lehman researches and writes every guide on Plain Talk Retirement. His focus is simple: help people who are considering a gold IRA understand the real costs, the rules and the trade-offs before they talk to any company.
Michael Lehman is a pen name. We use it so the site can be judged on the quality and sourcing of its work, which you can check line by line, rather than on a personal biography you cannot verify.
No credentials we cannot back up. Michael is not a licensed financial advisor, CFP, CPA, attorney or registered representative, and nothing he writes is personal financial advice. For decisions about your own retirement money, please work with a licensed professional.
Research standards behind every article
- Primary sources first. Fees, minimums, buyback terms and storage details come from each company’s own website, fee schedules and disclosures, not from other review sites.
- Rules come from regulators. Tax and account rules are checked against IRS publications. Dealer-markup and fraud warnings are checked against CFTC and FTC guidance.
- Track records are checked publicly. Company history and complaint records are checked against the Better Business Bureau and other public records.
- Drawbacks are always listed. Every company comparison includes the reasons you might not want that company, including for Augusta Precious Metals, the one company that pays this site.
- Pages are dated. Each guide shows when it was last updated, and pages are revised when a company changes its terms or a reader reports an error.
The full method is published on How We Review Gold IRA Companies.
Who pays this site
Plain Talk Retirement earns money through the Augusta Precious Metals affiliate program. We do not receive compensation from the other companies we compare. Michael’s recommendations explain who each company fits and who it does not. See the Affiliate Disclosure for full details.
Guides written by Michael Lehman
Profile last reviewed September 28, 2026.