How to Open an Augusta Precious Metals Gold IRA (2026 Rollover Steps)
An Augusta Precious Metals rollover works like this: you book Augusta's free web conference, open a self-directed IRA with its custodian (Equity Trust), move your money there by direct transfer or rollover, then approve a written order after a separate pre-purchase session. Augusta says the whole process usually takes one to two weeks, and the minimum is $50,000. Here is each step, what to have ready, and the mistakes that cost people money.
The Augusta Precious Metals rollover in 7 steps
This is the order Augusta describes on its own site, with what to check at each step.
- Check that you qualifyAugusta works with people moving at least $50,000, from savings or from an existing IRA, 401(k), 403(b), TSP or similar account. Confirm the amount, and whether the money is traditional (pre-tax) or Roth, before your first call.
- Request the kit and book the web conferenceAugusta's education team explains how gold and silver IRAs work, including fees, before you open anything. Your assigned agent books the session.
- Open the self-directed IRA with the custodianAugusta works with Equity Trust Company as custodian. Augusta says its IRA processing team handles about 95% of the paperwork, including the application and the transfer forms.
- Move the money directlyAn IRA moves by custodian-to-custodian transfer. A 401(k), 403(b) or TSP moves by direct rollover. In both cases the money goes from your old provider to Equity Trust without passing through your hands.
- Get the pre-purchase educationOnce the funds arrive, Augusta gives a separate pre-purchase session before you decide what to buy, including how high-mintage and low-mintage products differ in price and resale.
- Approve the order in writingYou receive a written Transaction Agreement. Your price is locked when the order is confirmed by phone and payment is received. Ask for the price of each coin and the spot price on the same page.
- Metals ship to the depositoryThe metals ship by USPS Ground, fully insured, to an approved depository such as Delaware Depository, and are held fully allocated. Your statements come from the custodian.
Sources: Augusta, How does a gold IRA work? (updated September 16, 2026); Augusta, How to open a gold IRA account; Augusta FAQ; Augusta, Gold IRA (custodian and depository).
What to have ready
Having these in front of you on the first call is what keeps the process inside Augusta's one-to-two-week estimate. Most delays come from missing details about the account you are moving.
- A government photo ID (the custodian has to verify who you are)
- Your most recent statement for the account you are moving, with the account number and the provider's name
- Whether that money is traditional (pre-tax) or Roth. Keep them separate: Roth money goes to a Roth gold IRA
- For a 401(k), 403(b) or TSP: whether you still work for that employer
- Your beneficiary names and dates of birth
- The amount you want to move, at least $50,000 in total
This list is our practical checklist, based on what any self-directed IRA custodian asks for. Augusta's team tells you its exact requirements on the first call.
Which accounts you can move to Augusta, and how
| Account you have now | How it moves | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional or Roth IRA | Custodian-to-custodian transfer | Transfers are not limited, unlike 60-day rollovers (one per 12 months) |
| 401(k) from a former employer | Direct rollover | Generally eligible. Ask the plan to pay Equity Trust directly |
| 401(k) from your current employer | In-service rollover, if the plan allows | Often only after age 59½. Check with your plan administrator first |
| 403(b), governmental 457(b), TSP | Direct rollover | Rules differ by plan. See our 403(b) and 457(b) and TSP guides |
| Cash savings | Direct purchase (no IRA needed) | Same $50,000 minimum |
Sources: Augusta FAQ (current-employer 401(k)s, minimum); IRS, IRA one-rollover-per-year rule.
Five rollover mistakes to avoid
| Mistake | What it can cost | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Letting a 401(k) check be paid to you | The plan must withhold 20%. On $100,000 you receive $80,000 and must find the other $20,000 within 60 days, or it is taxed as income | Ask for a direct rollover paid to Equity Trust |
| Missing the 60-day window | The money becomes a taxable distribution, plus a possible extra tax if you are under 59½ | Avoid the 60-day route altogether |
| Doing two IRA rollovers in 12 months | The second one can be taxed as income | Use a custodian-to-custodian transfer, which has no yearly limit |
| Mixing Roth and traditional money | Tax problems and paperwork to undo it | Open a separate Roth gold IRA for Roth money |
| Approving an order without the numbers | Paying a bigger spread than you expected | Get the price per coin, the spot price and the number of fee-free years in writing |
The 20% example, step by step: a $100,000 401(k) paid to you by check arrives as $80,000 after the required 20% withholding. To roll over the full $100,000 you must add $20,000 of your own money within 60 days, and wait for the withheld $20,000 to come back as a tax refund. If you deposit only the $80,000, the other $20,000 is taxed as income. A direct rollover avoids all of this.
Sources: IRS, Rollovers of retirement plan and IRA distributions; IRS, IRA one-rollover-per-year rule. Example calculation is ours. More detail in our gold IRA rollover guide.
The Augusta timeline: what happens and who does it
| Stage | Who does it | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Kit, first call, web conference | You and Augusta's education team | At your pace |
| Equity Trust application and transfer forms | Augusta's IRA processing team, with your signature | Days |
| Money moves from your old provider | Your old provider and Equity Trust | Depends on the old provider |
| Pre-purchase session and order | You and Augusta | After funds arrive |
| Cancellation window | You | Up to 7 calendar days after the order is confirmed |
| Shipping to the depository | Augusta, USPS Ground, insured | After the order |
Augusta puts the whole account-opening and funding process at one to two weeks, against two to four weeks across the industry. The part neither Augusta nor you controls is how fast your old provider releases the money, so call them early and ask what they need.
Source: Augusta FAQ. Checked October 2026.
What opening an Augusta account costs
Augusta lists a $50 setup fee, then $125 a year to the custodian and $110 a year for storage, and says it pays those yearly fees for up to 10 years on every account. Shipping and insurance to the depository are covered on qualifying purchases. The cost to ask about is the spread on the metal. Our Augusta fees and minimum guide has the full math, and our Augusta complaints page shows what the record says.
Opening an Augusta gold IRA: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to open an Augusta gold IRA?
Augusta says its account-opening and funding process typically takes one to two weeks, compared with two to four weeks across the industry. The biggest variable is how fast your current provider releases the money.
Can I roll over a 401(k) from my current employer to Augusta?
Sometimes. If you have left the employer, the 401(k) is generally eligible. If you still work there, your plan may allow an in-service rollover, often only after age 59 and a half. Ask your plan administrator before you start.
Do I pay taxes when I move my IRA or 401(k) to Augusta?
Not if the money moves directly, by custodian-to-custodian transfer or direct rollover. If a 401(k) check is paid to you, the plan must withhold 20% and you have 60 days to deposit the full amount, or the missing part becomes taxable.
What is the minimum to open an Augusta gold IRA?
Augusta requires a minimum first purchase of $50,000. Money rolled over from an IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or TSP counts toward it.
Who holds my metals with Augusta?
Augusta is the dealer, not the custodian. The IRA is held by Equity Trust Company, and the metals are stored at an approved depository, such as Delaware Depository, fully allocated.
Can I cancel after I buy?
Augusta says every customer gets a cancellation period of up to seven calendar days after a transaction is confirmed, unless state law gives longer, plus a 100% 7-day money-back guarantee when the account is opened.
Start with the kit, not the paperwork
The first step costs nothing and commits you to nothing. If you are moving $50,000 or more, the kit and the web conference will answer most of the questions on this page for your own account.
Get the Free Gold IRA Info KitFor balances of $50,000 or more.
Or read our full Augusta Precious Metals review