A Gold IRA is a self-directed individual retirement account that allows investors to hold physical precious metals — including gold, silver, platinum and palladium — instead of traditional paper assets like stocks and bonds. These accounts provide the same tax advantages as traditional IRAs while offering portfolio diversification through tangible assets that have historically served as hedges against inflation and economic uncertainty.
But is it the best move for you to include it as part of your investment portfolio?
Gold has experienced pretty remarkable performance in 2025, with prices surging over 25% since the first part of the year, and now reaching record highs above $3,000 per ounce. This surge has been driven by persistent inflation, economic uncertainty, trade policy volatility and geopolitical tensions. Deutsche Bank predicts that gold could potentially reach $5,000 per ounce by mid-2026. This number might not be as far-fetched as it seems, as central banks continue purchasing gold and investors seek assets that are “safer” amid global uncertainty.
Many investors are also investing in gold to hedge against inflation, or as a strategy to use investments that will maintain or increase in value even as inflation goes up. Doing so means that your money’s purchasing power remains intact, unlike investing in other securities that may experience the opposite.
In general, even as the value of the US dollar falls, gold tends to hold onto its value over the long term. This investment isn’t as volatile compared to other securities like stocks.
Even if gold isn’t expected to surge as high as it has been for the past year or so, many still use it as a way to diversify their portfolio and lessen their risk.
In this article: American Hartford Gold, Thor Metals and Priority Gold
Many investors explore Gold IRAs as a way to protect their retirement savings, whether as a hedge against inflation or as a diversification strategy.
Unlike traditional IRAs that limit holdings to assets like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, Gold IRAs allow investors to include IRS-approved physical precious metals. These need to meet specific purity standards and are stored in approved third-party depositories.
Gold IRAs generally follow the same rules as traditional IRAs, where you can invest in pre-tax assets, up to an annual contribution amount. For the 2025 tax year, the limit is $7,000 and increases to $7,500 in 2026. You can withdraw penalty-free starting at age 59.5, and need to make minimum distributions starting at age 72.
Gold IRAs come with additional complexities and costs not found in traditional retirement accounts, including:
These costs tend to be rolled into one with many gold IRA companies. Think of these as what you would pay in management fees for investments held inside a traditional IRA.
Like other types of investments, you may need to pay taxes on the increased value from your gold. The IRS treats gold as a collectible, so any capital gains can be taxed at rates depending on the earnings and whether it counts as short- or long-term gains.
Gold IRA custodians may also have a minimum amount you need to invest, much like brokerages for traditional IRAs. Purchasing gold may mean that you’ll need to invest more upfront. If you don’t have the means to do so right now, there are alternatives like investing in gold exchange traded funds (ETFs).
If you're interested in investing in Gold IRAs, it's important to thoroughly research your options. Not all Gold IRAs are the same because they differ in transparency, fees and other factors that can make or break your investment.
American Hartford Gold offers an accessible entry point into precious metals investing thanks to its low account minimum, no setup fees, price match guarantee and buyback program. Account setup is fast, and some accounts are eligible for up to $25,000 of free silver. American Hartford Gold has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and partnerships with secure depositories like Brinks Global Services and Delaware Depository for IRA storage.
Thor Metals Group positions itself as a transparent, customer-first company. It offers full pricing transparency, free account setup, and no service fees for qualifying accounts. Meaning, you’ll know up front what you’ll pay before signing up. The company has a partnership with the U.S. Mint to source its metals, and offers free insurance on all orders. Thor Metals Group offers free educational resources, including a "Gold IRA Quick Start Guide," which can help make an informed decision.
Priority Gold also offers free account setup, free storage for up to five years and free insured shipping with its Priority Platinum Package. The company also offers a guaranteed buyback program and up to $20,000 in free silver for qualifying accounts. What stands out about this custodian is that you can choose from various types of gold coins from different countries. You can request a free guide to learn about gold and silver investing, or work with a specialist to learn about investing in Gold IRAs or other precious metal investments.
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