FAQ & Getting Started Guide

Your Questions About Gold IRAs, Answered

A straightforward resource for anyone considering precious metals as part of
their retirement strategy. No hype, no jargon plain answers from a team that
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Gold IRA Basics

Rollover Process

Costs & Fees

Working with Cedar

Safety & Security

Getting Started

The Fundamentals

Understanding Gold IRAs

A Gold IRA is a self-directed Individual Retirement Account that holds physical precious metals instead of paper assets like stocks or bonds. It follows the same tax-advantaged structure as a Traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA — depending on how it’s set up — with the same contribution limits and distribution rules set by the IRS. The key difference is the underlying asset: instead of shares in a mutual fund, your account holds IRS-approved gold, silver, platinum, or palladium stored in an insured, IRS-approved depository in your name. When you reach age 59½, you have the option to take distributions in cash or receive the physical metals themselves (in-kind distribution).

A Gold IRA is best suited for people who already have meaningful retirement savings — typically in a 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or existing IRA — and want to diversify a portion of those funds into physical precious metals rather than keeping everything in paper assets. Many of our clients are within a few years of retirement, or already retired, and are thinking carefully about how to protect what they’ve built. They’re not chasing returns. They’re looking for a tangible asset that sits outside the stock market and the banking system, and they want it held in a tax-advantaged account they already understand.
There’s no age or income restriction to open a Gold IRA. The real question is whether physical metals fit your long-term financial goals, your risk tolerance, and the role you want gold to play in your overall retirement plan.

A Traditional IRA is typically made up of paper-based assets like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. A Gold IRA, on the other hand, holds physical precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium.

While the underlying assets are different, both account types share the same key tax advantages, allowing your investments to grow on a tax-deferred basis.

The IRS requires all metals in a Gold IRA to meet specific fineness standards. For gold, the minimum purity is 99.5% (such as American Gold Eagles, Canadian Gold Maple Leafs, or gold bars from approved refiners). Silver must be 99.9% pure, and platinum and palladium must be 99.95% pure.

Not every gold coin or bar qualifies. Collectible or numismatic coins, for example, are not eligible. A Cedar Gold specialist can walk you through approved products and help you identify metals that meet IRS requirements and fit your specific goals for a Gold IRA.

There is no IRS-mandated minimum for a Gold IRA. Minimums may vary depending on the custodian and selected metals. At Cedar Gold Group, many clients choose to start in the $25,000 to $50,000 range, though accounts of all sizes are welcome. A larger initial investment may provide more flexibility in selecting metals and structuring your portfolio. During your free consultation, your advisor can walk you through available options based on your retirement goals and account balance.

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Moving Your Funds

The Rollover Process

A rollover moves funds from an existing retirement account (such as a 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or traditional IRA) into a self-directed Gold IRA. The process involves opening a new self-directed IRA account with an approved custodian, then requesting a direct transfer of funds from your current plan administrator. In a direct rollover, the money moves from one custodian to another without you touching it. Once the funds arrive in your new account, you select the precious metals you want to purchase, and Cedar Gold Group handles the rest.
In a direct rollover (also called a trustee-to-trustee transfer), no taxes or penalties apply. The funds move directly between custodians and are never distributed to you personally. This is the method Cedar Gold Group uses for every client. An indirect rollover, where you receive the funds and re-deposit them within 60 days, is more complicated and does carry tax risk if the deadline is missed. We strongly recommend the direct method, and our team handles the paperwork to make it straightforward.
Most tax-advantaged retirement accounts are eligible: traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, 457 plans, Thrift Savings Plans (TSP), and pension plans. If you have an employer-sponsored plan and are still employed with that company, eligibility depends on your plan’s rules. Some plans allow in-service rollovers, while others require separation from the employer first. Your Cedar Gold advisor will verify your specific account eligibility during your consultation at no cost.
From start to finish, most rollovers are completed in 7 to 14 business days. The timeline depends on how quickly your current plan administrator processes the transfer request. Some custodians move funds within a few days; others take up to two weeks. On the Cedar Gold side, account setup and metal selection happen within 24 to 48 hours. Your advisor keeps you informed at every step so there are no surprises with timing.
It depends on the account type. Cash held in an IRA or 401(k) transfers directly. If your account holds mutual funds, ETFs, or stocks, those positions are typically liquidated to cash before the transfer takes place. Your current plan administrator handles this step. In some cases, you do not need to liquidate everything. You have the option to roll over a portion of your account and leave the rest in place. Cedar Gold advisors help you determine what percentage to allocate to precious metals based on your overall retirement strategy.
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Transparent Pricing

Costs and Fees

A Gold IRA has three standard fee categories: a one-time account setup fee, an annual custodian administration fee, and an annual storage/insurance fee for your metals at the depository. Setup fees typically range from $50 to $150. Annual administration fees run between $75 and $250 depending on the custodian. Storage fees depend on the total value and weight of metals held, generally ranging from $100 to $300 per year. Cedar Gold Group provides a full fee breakdown before you commit to anything, so you know every cost upfront.
Some dealers bury costs in wide premiums over the spot price of metals, meaning you pay more per ounce than you should. Others charge transaction fees on every purchase or sale, or impose penalties for early account closure. At Cedar Gold Group, pricing is transparent. We show you the spot price, our premium, and all custodian fees in writing before any transaction. If a company is reluctant to put their complete fee structure in writing, treat it as a warning sign.
We price our metals competitively against the top-rated dealers in the industry. Our premiums over spot are published and consistent, not inflated to cover celebrity endorsements or “free silver” promotions. When you compare dealers, the metric that matters is your all-in cost: the spot price plus the dealer premium plus annual fees. We encourage every client to get quotes from at least two companies and compare the total numbers side by side. We are confident in where we stand.
Cedar Gold Group offers a straightforward buyback program. When you want to sell some or all of your metals, we purchase them back at competitive market rates. There are no penalties or lockout periods. You contact your advisor, receive a quote based on current spot prices, and the funds are deposited back into your IRA or sent directly to you (depending on your distribution preference). Our buyback process typically completes within a few business days.
As long as your metals remain inside the IRA, gains are tax-deferred. You do not owe taxes until you take a distribution, which works the same as any other traditional IRA. If you have a Roth Gold IRA, qualified distributions are tax-free. Taxes apply only when metals or cash leave the account. Your Cedar Gold advisor will explain how different distribution options affect your tax situation, though we always recommend consulting your own tax professional for advice specific to your circumstances.
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Our Approach

Working with Cedar Gold Group

Your consultation is a 15-minute phone call with a Cedar Gold specialist. You will walk through your current retirement setup, ask any questions you have about precious metals, and get honest feedback on whether a Gold IRA makes sense for your situation. There is no sales script and no pressure. If a Gold IRA is not the right fit, we will tell you directly. The call is free, private, and carries zero obligation.

Three things stand out. First, we lead with education. You will never receive a high-pressure pitch or a follow-up call you did not ask for. Second, our pricing is transparent. We publish our premiums and fees upfront so you see the full cost before committing. Third, our CEO Brett Bultje, holds a Certificate of Completion in Alternative Investments, which means the team is built around deep knowledge of the precious metals retirement space, not sales quotas.

Cedar Gold Group has helped more than 2,500 families across all 50 states open and fund precious metals IRAs. Our A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau reflects the trust those families have placed in us. We work with first-time investors, retirees, and everyone in between. Each client gets a dedicated advisor who stays with them from the first call through every future transaction.
Once you decide to proceed, your advisor handles the heavy lifting. They coordinate with the custodian to open your self-directed IRA, initiate the rollover from your existing account, and guide you through metal selection. You will receive all paperwork electronically, and most of it takes minutes to complete. From the day you say “go” to the day your metals are purchased and stored, the typical timeline is 7 to 14 business days. Your advisor provides updates at each stage.
Only if you ask for them. Cedar Gold Group does not run cold-call campaigns or drip email sequences. After your consultation, the next step is yours to take on your own timeline. If you want a follow-up call in a week, a month, or six months, we are happy to schedule one. If you want to think it over in silence, that is respected without question.
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Protecting Your Metals

Safety and Security

All metals in a Gold IRA are stored in an IRS-approved depository, separate from Cedar Gold Group’s operations. These depositories are Class 3 vaulting facilities with 24/7 surveillance, armed security, and comprehensive insurance coverage (typically through Lloyd’s of London). Your metals are held in segregated storage, meaning they are kept separate from other clients’ holdings and are individually identified as yours. You receive a storage statement confirming the exact bars and coins in your account.
Yes. Every Gold IRA opened through Cedar Gold Group follows IRS rules under Internal Revenue Code Section 408(m). This includes using an IRS-approved custodian, purchasing only eligible metals that meet fineness standards, and storing them in an approved depository. You do not need to worry about compliance details. The custodian and Cedar Gold Group handle all regulatory requirements on your behalf, and your account is fully documented for tax reporting purposes.
Your metals are held by the custodian and stored in the depository, not by Cedar Gold Group. If Cedar Gold ceased to operate, your account, your metals, and your ownership rights would be unaffected. The custodian remains the legal holder of your IRA, and the depository continues to secure your metals. You would have the option to continue managing the account through the custodian directly or transfer it to another precious metals dealer.
Yes, when you take a distribution from your Gold IRA, you have the option to receive your metals shipped directly to you. This counts as a taxable distribution (similar to withdrawing cash from a traditional IRA), so standard income tax rules apply. Some clients choose this option at retirement when they want to hold the physical gold or silver themselves. Your advisor will walk you through the tax implications and shipping logistics when the time comes.
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Your Next Steps

Getting Started

You need an existing retirement account (401(k), IRA, TSP, or similar) with funds available for rollover, and a valid government-issued ID. It helps to know your current account balance and the name of your plan administrator, but your Cedar Gold advisor will help you locate this information if needed. There is no credit check, no income verification, and no lengthy application process.

You have two options. Visit our consultation page and pick a 15-minute time slot, or call us directly during business hours to speak with a specialist right away.

The full process, from your initial consultation through account setup, rollover, and metal purchase, typically takes 10 to 21 business days. The consultation itself is 15 minutes. Account opening takes 24 to 48 hours. The rollover timeline depends on your current custodian (usually 5 to 10 business days). Once funds arrive, metal selection and purchase happen within one business day. Your advisor gives you a realistic timeline during the first call.
No. The consultation is for gathering information and getting your questions answered. There is no expectation for you to commit to anything on the call. Many clients take days, weeks, or even months to decide. You set the pace. When you are ready, you reach out to your advisor and pick up right where you left off. No one at Cedar Gold Group will follow up unless you specifically request it.
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Still Have Questions?

Every retirement situation is different. A 15-minute conversation with a Cedar Gold specialist will give you specific answers based on your accounts, your goals, and your timeline. No cost, no obligation, no follow-up pressure.
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