Investing in a precious metals IRA is a great way for anyone to help to safeguard their retirement savings. Precious metal IRAs are similar to traditional IRAs in that they are tax-advantaged retirement savings accounts. The difference is that precious metal IRAs are low-risk investments that are less affected by turbulent economic situations.
Diversifying your investments is a good way to safeguard your future, but investing in precious metal IRAs can seem complicated and stressful for new investors. With so many different precious metals brokers, how can you know who to trust?
Birch Gold Group and Goldco are two of the industry leaders. This guide explores both companies and highlights the need-to-know facts so that you can feel confident deciding which is the best choice for your future.
Disclosure: The owners of this website may be paid to recommend Goldco and the other companies. The content on this website, including any positive reviews of Goldco and other reviews, may not be neutral or independent.
Overview: Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold Group is one of the oldest precious metals IRA brokerage companies in the industry, having been founded in 2003. It is an industry leader and deals in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium IRA accounts. Birch is well known for the extensive inventory of precious metals available to investors.
Birch’s customer service agents make it a point to be available to customers to address any questions or concerns they may have.
Birch is highly rated by customers for exceptional customer service and educational resources. It is also well respected by industry rating organizations. It is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau with 5 out of 5 stars. ConsumerAffairs rates it at 4.8 out of 5 stars and TrustLink awards the company 5 out of 5 stars.
$25,000 Minimum Investment 5% back for any order over $50k |
Overview: Goldco
Goldco is a precious metals IRA brokerage company that was founded over a decade ago. Goldco deals in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products that are all suitable for precious metal IRA accounts.
It is known for excellent customer service from start to finish. Goldco’s precious metals specialists are available from the moment you make contact and throughout the entire process of opening the precious metal IRA account, funding it, making the purchase, and seeing your precious metals delivered to a secure depository.
Goldco is well rated by industry regulatory bodies including TrustLink, the BBB, and the BCA, as well as by their former and current customers. They have an average overall satisfaction score of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
Goldco is an industry leader best known as a personable company with representatives that customize the investment process to the individual needs of each customer.
Birch Gold Group & Goldco Comparison Chart
| Birch Gold Group | Goldco |
---|---|---|
Company Founded | 2003 | Over a decade ago |
Minimum Investment | $10,000 | $25,000 |
Avg Comprehensive Rating | 4.9 | 4.8 |
Precious Metals Available | Gold, silver, platinum, & palladium | Gold, silver, platinum, & palladium |
Is Price Matching Available? | No | No |
Assistance with Current IRA Rollover? | Yes | Yes |
Average Delivery Time | Varies | 1 week |
Customer Support Level | Exceptional customer service always available | Comprehensive and customized support |
Buy-Back Program? | No | Yes |
Rollover Opportunities: Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold Group has an entire department that specializes in assisting investors in rolling over existing accounts into a precious metal IRA account. Their subject matter experts assist investors with all of the necessary paperwork, making the process painless and stress-free.
Many different types of accounts can be rolled into a new precious metal IRA account, including:
* 401(k)
* 403(b)
* 457
* Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
* Traditional IRA
* Roth IRA
Birch Gold Group- Best for beginners
Birch Gold Group is great for beginner investors because they have a transparent process and walk you through exactly what the plan is and how they are going to handle your investments.
If you're looking for an educated process and someone by your side, Birch Gold Group is a great choice.
Rollover Opportunities: Goldco
Goldco offers assistance in rolling over a number of different types of retirement accounts. This includes:
* Traditional IRA
* Roth IRA
* SIMPLE IRA
* SEP IRA
* 401(k)
* 403(b)
* Roth 401(k)
* Roth 457(b)
Goldco will assist with the necessary paperwork and help to streamline the process as much as possible. Their representatives are subject matter experts on the rollover process.
Fees: Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold Group charges setup fees and annual maintenance fees but it does not publish all of those fees on its website. The only fees that Birch discloses on its website are its annual fees. Birch does not publish its prices on its website nor does it offer price matching.
Header | Birch Gold Group |
---|---|
Annual maintenance fee | $75 |
Annual custodial fee for IRA storage | $100 |
Annual depository storage fee | $100 |
Shipping and transit costs | Waived |
Minimum investment | $10,000 |
Cost of precious metals | Fluctuates according to market value |
Fees: Goldco
The required minimum purchase at Goldco to start a gold IRA is $25,000. Goldco’s preferred Custodian charges a flat annual account service fee which includes a one-time IRA account set-up fee of $50. as well as a $30 wire fee. Annual maintenance is $100, and storage is $150 for segregated storage or $100 for non-segregated storage.
Fees for gold storage and custodianship can vary depending on the company you select to handle these services (required by the IRS, as all IRA assets must be managed by a custodian). Depending on the Custodian, storage fees can range from $10 to $60 per month, or as a percentage of assets, from 0.35% to 1% annually. Goldco does not charge any storage fees for cash transactions over $25,000."
Choosing Between Birch Gold Group & Goldco
Birch Gold Group and Goldco are very similar precious metal IRA brokers. They both offer gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products. Both companies have exceptional customer service and educational opportunities as well as rollover assistance.
Neither company publishes the full list of its fees. Goldco offers segregated storage. Birch has an extensive inventory of available products. Neither company offers price matching.
Both companies rank highly with customers and industry regulatory bodies, as well. Goldco ranks 4.8 out of 5 stars and Birch ranks 4.9 out of 5 stars.
There is no clear winner between the two companies. Both Birch and Goldco are excellent choices for any precious metals investor. Other great options include Augusta Precious Metals & American Hartford gold.
Goldco- Best for IRA rollovers
Goldco is best known for the speed and feasibility of rolling over your traditional IRA into a gold or precious metal IRA.
They have a great customer service team and are one of the most transparent IRA companies you'll find.
This is a great choice for beginner investors as well as those who have been investing for decades.