You can save money for your retirement through an independent retirement account (IRA), gold IRA, or a 401(k). What’s great about these retirement savings accounts is that they allow you to avoid paying taxes on your contributions. You can invest in a gold IRA using your 401(k) funds if you want diversity in your portfolio.
There is a multitude of reasons people turn to a gold IRA. Most individuals buy gold to hedge their portfolios against inflation. Gold investments typically retain their value because the precious metal has been prized for thousands of years.
Another reason people invest in gold or a self-directed IRA is that they are concerned about market volatility. A gold IRA cannot go bankrupt, unlike an enterprise or a corporation. Your tangible gold bullion, precious metal, and coins will still be sitting in a vault no matter what happens to the economy.
Once you have chosen to invest in a gold IRA, the initial step is to consider the best way to begin. There are no tax advantages to purchasing gold, even though you can buy tangible gold coins and bullion unreservedly.
One of the best things that can happen if you buy a precious metals IRA through your 401(k) is you can deduct your 401(k) contributions from your annual fees and return. You will not have to pay taxes on your investment until you eventually sell the gold and withdraw money from your retirement portfolio.
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How Do You Move a 401k to Gold?
The next step is figuring out how to carry out your plan now that you have decided to buy a gold IRA. Currently, most 401(k) plans do not offer gold IRA or precious metals investment options.
Finding a new plan to invest directly in physical gold would be best, as many 401(k) plans offer limited investment options.
In order to avoid paying taxes on this transition, you will need to perform a 401(k) gold IRA rollover. The 401k rollover process involves transferring your funds to your new 401(k) from your old account. You can transfer money to a gold IRA account or your new 401(k).
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules that the above transfer must be completed within 60 days. Your transaction is treated like a 401(k) withdrawal if you do not finish it in time. Unless you want to incur penalties and pay taxes, you must follow the gold IRA rollover IRS rules.
You can enjoy perks when you convert to a new IRA account or 401(k). Employer plans usually have high fees and limited options. An employer generally offers a plan as a benefit for their staff, but they do not have an incentive or the time to shop around for an excellent plan provider. If you want more gold IRA investment options, lower account fees, and purchase gold cheaper, you may need a new 401(k) plan.
You have to do the following steps if you want to convert your 401(k) into a gold IRA or a new 401(k):
- Choose the account that you desire
- Open your new account
- Discuss with your previous 401(k) plan about doing a direct gold IRA rollover
- Decide on your new precious metals investments
Select the Account You Want
You can get more investment options when you do a 401(k) gold IRA rollover. It is also possible to save a significant amount on fees too. Switching plans can save you a ton of money because employer plans often have high costs.
- Traditional IRA: Like traditional 401(k) plans, traditional IRAs are tax-deferred plans for retirement savings
- Roth IRA: You have to pay taxes on the funds you transfer if you do a rollover to a Roth IRA. Roth IRAs allow you to make tax free withdrawals, but your contributions are taxed
- Traditional 401(K) plans: When you do a rollover to a traditional 401(k), you do not have to pay taxes on your rollover as long as you complete the transfer within 60 days
It is important to note that the government allows you to own multiple IRAs and 401(k) plans. This is essential because you can create a self-directed IRA for precious metals or a solo 401(k). The broker or trustee will be the custodian of the physical metals.
You can buy and sell gold when using a 401(k) or gold IRA. In order to do this, you must follow specific government standards; current 401 k accounts do not allow you to hold the precious metal or purchase gold yourself physically.
A solo 401k and self-direct IRA are essentially the same things for the most part, but the primary difference is that 401(k) plans let you add more money yearly. Other than the above statement, they have reasonably straightforward rules and tax benefits.
Open Your New Account
Going online is one of the easiest ways to set up your new IRA or 401(k) account. Many people set up an IRA using an online broker or robo advisor. You can use robo advisors to automatically invest in a balanced portfolio if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of picking your investments.
If you use an online broker, you can get more control over your investments and may prefer these options if you are someone who wants to buy and sell physical gold. With online brokers, you can decide which asset you buy and diversify whenever you feel like it.
You should find a plan provider that charges low fees because commission costs and expenses can add up quickly. It is also good to pick a provider specializing in gold coins, precious metals, self-directed IRAs, and gold IRAs.
Talk to Your Previous 401(k) Plan About Doing a Direct Rollover
When transferring your funds, you will need to talk to your old provider. It is crucial to start this step early because your plan provider may not want to lose you as a client and might slow down the process. The check needs to go directly to your new account instead of you, meaning you should always ask your provider to do a direct gold IRA rollover.
Then, the next step is incredibly vital. Once the funds leave your old account, they must arrive in your new account. Otherwise, you will have to pay taxes and penalties on your withdrawal, meaning you need to complete your rollover as quickly as possible to avoid a penalty.
If you want to carry out a direct or indirect rollover, most providers will require you to send in a few forms. In order to learn how to do this, you should contact the manager of your former employer’s plan, and they can send a wire transfer or check to your new account after sending all the paperwork.
This option is significantly harder to do, but you can also technically do an indirect rollover. The money is sent to your account with an indirect rollover, and you then ensure that the money is sent to your gold IRA within 60 days.
One important thing to note is that an indirect rollover can make your taxes more complex. You may pay penalties and income taxes on the rollover if it is not completed within 60 days. 20% of your withdrawal will be automatically withheld as a tax payment by many providers.
You would have to furnish the difference from your personal account because you must transfer the entire amount to your new account.
Decide on Your New Investments
Once you have completed your indirect or direct rollover, you can determine how you want to use your money. You can look at index mutual funds or invest in physical gold. If you want to protect yourself from market fluctuations, the best thing to do is diversify your portfolio.
Even though many people buy gold coins and bullion, these investments have a drawn back. You may have broker commissions and storage facility fees for the physical gold. If you are considering diversifying your gold portfolio, you can invest in gold using other methods as well; these include but are not limited to:
- Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs): An ETF is a basket of other precious metals and assets. A gold ETF may hold physical gold or own gold options and futures. While mutual funds can only be exchanged after the market closes for the day, an ETF can be traded when the market is open
- Stocks in gold mining: If you want to invest in refining businesses and gold mining, you can buy stock in a mining company. You should always research the company beforehand to see if they are financially stable. In order to reduce your risk, you can also buy shares in a mutual fund that invests in gold mining
- Gold futures and options: These terms are essentially agreements to sell and buy gold at a set price in the future. Federal governments tightly regulate them because these contracts are traded on commodity exchanges
When Does the IRS Charge a Penalty on 401(k) Rollovers?
According to the IRS, you must complete your 401(k) rollover within 60 days. If you withdraw money from your previous 401(k) and do not deposit it in your new account within the period, you will be required to pay the penalty on those funds automatically. One of the best ways to avoid this is by making sure your funds are instantly transferred from one account to the other with a direct rollover.
You will have to pay a 10% penalty if you withdraw your funds before 59.5 years old. It will also be required to pay your regular income tax rate on early withdrawals. You could easily spend 45 % of your withdrawals on penalties and taxes if you pay state income tax.
In order to do this correctly, we strongly urge you to work with our recommended provider.
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How Can You Turn Your 401(k) Into Gold Without a Penalty?
Luckily, you can easily avoid taxes and penalties on your 401(k) rollover. What you need to do is a direct rollover. Your funds automatically show up in your new account with this option as your provider handles the transferred money.
You can do an indirect rollover if you want to transfer funds yourself, but you have to ensure that the rollover is in the new account within 60 days. If your previous plan provider kept 20% of the funds for taxes, you would have to replace those funds when you finish the indirect rollover.
In order for this plan to work, you must sign up for tax-deferred savings accounts. Unless you are 59.5 years old, you cannot deposit these funds in your bank account; otherwise, you will be forced to pay taxes and a penalty on your withdrawal.
Which Companies Can Help Me Convert My 401(k) Into Gold?
A few companies can help you get started if you are trying to invest in gold IRAs or a 401(k). Many companies listed do not allow you to invest in precious metals. It is crucial to check with your new provider before opening an account because of the above statement.
You can successfully begin investing in precious metals with a bit of research. Here is a list of companies that can help you invest in precious metals and have excellent customer service.
Goldco
Pros
- Goldco provides top-notch customer service
- The company has worked with Gold IRAs for more than a decade
- Goldco’s IRAs can invest in gold and other precious metals
- It has an A+ rating from the Better Businesses Bureau
Cons
- The annual fee is $175 for accounts that are worth less than $100,000
- Goldco does not store physical gold, and it does not offer custodian services
Goldco is a brokerage for gold IRAs. One of the best things about this company is that it is highly esteemed for its customer service. Unlike some companies, Goldco does a fantastic job of dealing with paperwork involved with storage facilities, IRA custodians, and other retirement account providers.
It only handles buying and selling your precious metals because Goldco is a broker. One thing to note is that your physical gold is not stored at the company’s headquarters. It can help you fill out the paperwork for a different custodian company even though Goldco cannot serve as a custodian itself. After the above process is completed, Goldco will assist you in buying gold coins and bullion that the IRS has already approved.
Goldco can help if you are trying to do a 401(k) rollover. The company can handle all of the paperwork involved in the transfer of your account. This organization can also aid in buying silver, gold, and other precious metals.
Birch Gold Group
Pros
- You do not have to pay any fees during your first year as long as you transfer at least $50,000 to your new account
- The company provides educational materials to its clients
- Birch Gold Group has excellent reviews from experts in the industry and consumer organizations
- It offers an outstanding level of service
Cons
- The annual fees and setup costs are not discussed on the firm’s website
Birch Gold Group was started in 2003 and is based in California. This experienced company is a brokerage for precious metals, including palladium, silver, gold, and platinum. The organization allows you to buy gold for personal ownership or your IRA account.
Thanks to the company’s dedication to client education, you can learn how to invest in gold and the risks involved. It’s important to remember that any investment carries some degree of risk, so it’s crucial to understand how you can lose your money before investing your hard-earned cash.
With Birch Gold Group, you can get assistance buying gold through your retirement savings account. All of the IRA investments are approved by the Internal Revenue Service, and rightfully so.
You can also purchase private loans, bonds, raw land, real estate, mutual funds, stocks, and other investments other than buying physical gold.
It will help you find a custodian if you choose Birch Gold Group as a broker. Birch Gold Group can work with the custodian to buy and store your gold if you already have a custodian. Your gold can be shipped to approved depositories by the company. The organization allows you to store your gold with Delaware Depository or Brink’s Global Service.
Augusta Precious Metals
Pros
- You can enjoy having lifetime customer support
- The company offers competitive pricing
- Augusta Precious Metals has a fast and easy setup process
Cons
- There is at least $50,000 required in your new account
Investors can open tax-advantaged retirement accounts through Augusta Precious Metals. You can invest in precious metals through these accounts. Kingdom Trust, Equity Trust, and Goldstar Trust are custodians that Augusta Precious Metals suggests you use. However, the organization also works with other account custodians.
After setting up your self-directed IRA, you can use Augusta Precious Metals and your custodian to purchase gold. Augusta Precious Metals can help you buy premium coins, rounds bars, and bullion. In addition, the company sells commemorative coins and sets.
The company also offers a price protection program as an extra level of protection. Augusta Precious Metals will still honor the rate it initially gave you if the price of your precious metals changes within the first seven days after you confirm your order.
Another thing about the company is that it offers various promotions all year round. Augusta Precious Metals offers you $2,000 in silver when you open a new account and make a qualifying investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the most significant decisions you will make in your life is changing your retirement plan. Luckily, converting to a gold IRA is relatively simple. Here are some of the most common questions when someone wants to move their 401(k) plan into gold.
Can I Invest my 401(K) in Gold?
Different plans allow gold investments even though your current 401(k) may not let you invest in gold. It is essential to keep the specific IRS rules about how gold is purchased and stored in mind when finding a reputable company to work with.
Do I Have to Pay Taxes When Rolling Over a 401(k) to an IRA?
People can legally avoid paying taxes or penalties when doing a 401(k) rollover. In order to evade taxes, you will need to perform the rollover correctly. If you want to start the process, you should begin by contacting your current employer or 401(k) plan. It can take several months or weeks to finish the process, so you should start it as soon as possible.
Can I Buy Gold Without Paying Any Taxes?
401(k) plans and traditional IRAs are tax-deferred saving accounts, meaning your contributions are not taxed. You will pay taxes on those withdrawals when you eventually withdraw your funds after retirement. People do not get any tax breaks if they buy gold for personal ownership, and the only way they can avoid taxes is to purchase gold through their IRA or 401(k) plan.
Can I Buy Physical Gold in My 401(k)?
The answer to that question is a resounding yes. You can buy physical gold in your 401(k) plan, but this process can be a little challenging.
It is crucial to note that your IRA cannot be the holder and seller of gold. Legally, physical gold has to be stored with a third party, and you are not personally allowed to hold the gold. According to the IRS, a 401(k) plan can only contain physical gold if someone else is in charge of storing the gold.
You will not be allowed to have physical precious metals or control of the gold, even though you may be permitted to access the storage facility.
Conclusion
A gold IRA is a great way to buy and hold precious metals to hedge against inflation. You can use your retirement account to convert it to a gold IRA rollover and enjoy the same tax benefits.
It is also possible to invest in other securities, including gold mining futures, gold mining stocks, or gold ETFs.
No matter how you look, adjusting your retirement plan and dealing with an excellent gold IRA company is the best way to diversify your portfolio. What are you waiting for? It’s time to search for the best gold IRA companies and the most secure gold IRA custodians for your investing in gold purposes.
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is an Entrepreneur who has covered retirement investing since 2012. He's also a published author, and his views on investing have been featured in USA Today, Tech Times, The Huffington Post, Nasdaq, and many more.