Gold IRA Rollover: How to Move Your 401(k) or IRA Into Gold (2026)
A Gold IRA rollover moves money from a 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or IRA into a self-directed IRA that holds physical gold and silver. Done as a direct transfer, it isn’t a taxable event. Done wrong, it can cost you 20% withholding and a tax bill. Here’s exactly how to do it right, step by step.
How a Gold IRA rollover works, in 5 steps
- Choose a Gold IRA company that works with an IRS-approved custodian and depository.
- Open a self-directed IRA with that custodian.
- Request a direct rollover or transfer from your current 401(k) or IRA, so the money never passes through your hands.
- Choose IRS-eligible gold or silver once the funds arrive.
- The metal ships to an IRS-approved depository in your IRA’s name. Never to your home.
Which retirement accounts can you roll into a Gold IRA?
Most tax-advantaged retirement accounts can be moved into a self-directed Gold IRA. The main question is whether your current plan will release the money.
401(k) from a former employer
Usually yes. This is the most common Gold IRA rollover.
401(k) at your current job
Check your plan. Some plans allow in-service rollovers, often after age 59½.
Traditional IRA
Yes. Moves by trustee-to-trustee transfer into a traditional Gold IRA.
Roth IRA or Roth 401(k)
Yes, into a Roth Gold IRA. Keep Roth money in a Roth account to avoid a taxable conversion.
403(b) and 457(b)
Usually, once you’ve separated from the employer or your plan allows it. Nonprofit 457(b) plans cannot be rolled over. See our 403(b) and 457(b) to gold IRA guide.
TSP (federal employees)
Usually, after separation from federal service, or from age 59½ while still working. See our TSP to gold IRA guide.
Direct rollover vs 60-day rollover
The IRS allows three ways to move retirement money. Two of them keep the money away from you, and those are the ones to use.
| What matters | Direct rollover / transfer | 60-day (indirect) rollover |
|---|---|---|
| Who gets the money | Goes straight to your new custodian | Paid to you by check |
| Tax withholding | None | 20% withheld from employer plans; 10% from IRAs unless you opt out |
| Deadline | No 60-day clock | Must redeposit within 60 days |
| Once-per-year limit | Doesn’t apply | Only one IRA-to-IRA rollover per 12 months |
| If something goes wrong | Custodians handle it | Taxed as income, plus 10% if under 59½ |
Source: IRS, Rollovers of Retirement Plan and IRA Distributions. With a 60-day rollover from an employer plan, you’d have to make up the withheld 20% from other savings to roll over the full amount.
Gold IRA transfer vs rollover: which one you need
People use the two words for the same thing, but the IRS treats them differently. Which one you need depends on where the money is now.
| Gold IRA transfer | Direct rollover | |
|---|---|---|
| Use it to move | An existing IRA (traditional, Roth, SEP) | A 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b) or TSP |
| How the money moves | Custodian to custodian; you never touch it | Plan pays the new IRA custodian directly |
| Taxes withheld | None | None, if paid directly to the IRA |
| Yearly limit | No limit | No limit on direct rollovers from a plan |
| Who starts it | Usually the new custodian requests the money | You ask your plan for a direct rollover |
The one to avoid is the 60-day rollover, where the money is paid to you first. From a 401(k) it comes with 20% withheld, and between IRAs you can only do one in any 12 months. The IRS says trustee-to-trustee transfers between IRAs are not limited.
Sources: IRS, IRA one-rollover-per-year rule; IRS, Rollovers of retirement plan and IRA distributions.
The Gold IRA rollover process, start to finish
- Pick your Gold IRA company.Compare minimums, fees, and storage before you call anyone. The company connects you with a custodian and helps with the paperwork. See which company fits your balance.
Day 1 - Open the self-directed IRA.You sign the custodian’s account application. American Hartford Gold, for example, says a new Gold IRA account number typically takes about one business day.
About 1 business day - Request the direct rollover or transfer.The new custodian sends a transfer request to your current 401(k) or IRA provider. Some old plans require you to call or sign a distribution form yourself; ask for a direct rollover, never a check made out to you.
A few days to 2 weeks, depending on your old provider - Choose your metals.When the money arrives, you choose IRS-eligible gold or silver. Ask for the price over spot on every product before you approve the order.
Same day funds arrive - Metal ships to the depository.The dealer ships your metal, insured, to an IRS-approved depository, where it’s held in your IRA’s name.
- Check your statements.Your custodian’s statement should show your holdings at the named depository. Keep the confirmation for your records.
Timing examples come from company FAQs: American Hartford Gold says fund transfers usually take one to five business days; Goldco says a rollover can take a couple of days to one or two weeks. Your old provider controls most of the wait.
6 Gold IRA rollover mistakes that trigger taxes or penalties
1. Taking a check made out to you
An employer plan must withhold 20% for taxes when it pays you directly. To roll over the full amount you’d need to replace that 20% from other savings within 60 days.
2. Missing the 60-day deadline
If an indirect rollover isn’t redeposited within 60 days, the IRS treats it as a distribution: taxable income, plus a 10% additional tax if you’re under 59½.
3. Doing two 60-day IRA rollovers in a year
You’re limited to one IRA-to-IRA 60-day rollover in any 12-month period, across all your IRAs. Trustee-to-trustee transfers don’t count, which is another reason to use them.
4. Storing IRA gold at home
IRC Section 408(m) requires IRA bullion to be held by a qualified trustee. Home storage or “checkbook IRA” setups can be treated as a distribution.
5. Mixing Roth and traditional money
Moving a traditional 401(k) into a Roth Gold IRA is a Roth conversion, and the converted amount is taxable. Keep traditional money traditional and Roth money Roth unless you mean to convert.
6. Buying coins that don’t qualify
Collectible coins generally can’t be held in an IRA and carry higher markups. Stick to IRS-eligible bullion; see the list below. Regulators also warn about high-pressure pitches, covered in our Gold IRA scam red flags guide.
Which metals qualify for a Gold IRA?
IRC 408(m)(3) allows IRAs to hold certain bullion that meets minimum fineness standards, plus specific U.S. coins. As a general guide:
| Metal | Minimum fineness | Common examples |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | .995 | American Gold Eagle (specifically allowed), American Buffalo, bars from approved refiners |
| Silver | .999 | American Silver Eagle, approved bars |
| Platinum and palladium | .9995 | Approved coins and bars (not every dealer sells them) |
Your custodian has the final say on which products it will hold. Ask the dealer to confirm each product is IRA-eligible before you buy.
What does a Gold IRA rollover cost?
The rollover itself usually isn’t taxed when done directly, but a Gold IRA has costs a regular IRA doesn’t:
One-time custodian fee. Birch Gold and Goldco both list $50.
Storage plus custodian or management fees, per Birch Gold’s and Goldco’s published figures. Augusta charges no management fee of its own.
Two more to ask about: any fee your old 401(k) charges to close or transfer the account, and the dealer spread, the gap between what you pay and the metal’s spot price, which is often the biggest cost of all. Every fee is broken down in our Gold IRA fees guide.
Which Gold IRA company should handle your rollover?
The first filter is your balance, because each company has a minimum.
Rolling over with Augusta? Our step-by-step guide to opening an Augusta gold IRA covers its process, timeline and paperwork.
Gold IRA rollover: frequently asked questions
What is a Gold IRA rollover?
A Gold IRA rollover moves money from an existing retirement account, such as a 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or IRA, into a self-directed IRA that holds physical gold or silver. The metal is stored at an IRS-approved depository in the IRA’s name.
Can I roll over my 401(k) into gold without paying taxes?
Yes, if you use a direct rollover, where your plan pays the new custodian directly. If the plan pays you instead, it must withhold 20%, and you have 60 days to redeposit the full amount or it becomes taxable, with a 10% additional tax if you are under 59 and a half.
How long does a Gold IRA rollover take?
Usually a few days to two weeks. Opening the new account can take about a business day; most of the wait is your old provider releasing the funds. American Hartford Gold says transfers usually take one to five business days, and Goldco says a couple of days to one or two weeks.
Can I roll over a 401(k) from my current employer?
Only if your plan allows in-service rollovers, which some plans offer after age 59 and a half. A 401(k) from a former employer can usually be rolled over at any time. Ask your plan administrator.
Is there a limit on how many Gold IRA rollovers I can do?
You can do only one 60-day IRA-to-IRA rollover in any 12-month period. Trustee-to-trustee transfers and direct rollovers from employer plans are not limited, which is why a direct transfer is the safer route.
Can I roll over a Roth IRA into a Gold IRA?
Yes, into a Roth Gold IRA. Moving traditional money into a Roth account is a Roth conversion and is taxable, so keep Roth money in a Roth account and traditional money in a traditional account unless you intend to convert.
What is the minimum for a Gold IRA rollover?
It depends on the company. Birch Gold Group starts at about $5,000, American Hartford Gold at $10,000, Goldco at $25,000, and Augusta Precious Metals at $50,000.
Can I keep my Gold IRA metals at home?
No. Under IRC Section 408(m), IRA bullion must be held by a qualified trustee, which in practice means an IRS-approved depository. Home storage can be treated as a distribution, with taxes and possible penalties.
What does a Gold IRA rollover cost?
Expect a one-time setup fee of around $50 and yearly storage and custodian fees of around $225, based on Birch Gold’s and Goldco’s published figures. Also ask about the dealer spread over spot price and any fee your old plan charges to transfer out.
Should I roll my whole 401(k) into gold?
Most people do not. Precious metals pay no interest or dividends and their price can fall, so they are usually one part of a diversified plan. You can roll over part of an account. A licensed financial advisor can help you decide how much fits your situation.
What is the difference between a gold IRA transfer and a rollover?
A transfer moves money from one IRA to another IRA, custodian to custodian, with no tax withheld and no yearly limit. A direct rollover moves money from a workplace plan such as a 401(k), 403(b) or TSP into an IRA. Both are tax-free when the money moves directly. Avoid 60-day rollovers, where the money is paid to you first.
Sources: IRS rollover rules; 26 U.S.C. 408(m); company FAQs from Augusta Precious Metals, Birch Gold Group, Goldco, and American Hartford Gold, checked September 2026. Written by Michael Lehman for Plain Talk Retirement. This is general information, not tax advice; confirm your plan’s rules with your plan administrator or a tax professional.
Get the rollover explained before anything moves
Augusta’s free Gold & Silver IRA Info Kit covers what to look for in a Gold IRA company, and Augusta helps with most of the rollover paperwork. No pressure to buy.
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