The Three Parties in Every Gold IRA
CustodianAn IRS-regulated trustee that holds and administers your self-directed IRA and handles reporting.
DealerBishop Gold Group: helps you choose eligible coins and bars, and delivers the metal to the depository.
DepositoryA secure, insured vault where your metals are stored and audited for your account.
You stay in control the whole time. You choose the metals, and the account remains yours.
How It Works in 5 Steps
- Talk with a Gold IRA specialistReview your current accounts, your timeline and your goals. We will explain costs, eligible products and whether a Gold IRA makes sense for you. No pressure, no obligation.
- Open your self-directed IRAComplete a short application with an independent custodian. Choose traditional, Roth or SEP to match the account you are funding.
- Fund the accountMove money in by a direct rollover from a 401(k), 403(b) or TSP, a transfer from an existing IRA, a new cash contribution, or a combination. We coordinate with your current provider.
- Choose your metalsPick IRA-eligible gold, silver, platinum or palladium coins and bars. Your price is locked at the time of purchase and confirmed in writing.
- Secure storageMetals ship fully insured to the depository and are stored for your account. You receive statements from your custodian showing your holdings.
Rollover vs. Transfer: Doing It Without Taxes or Penalties
| Method | Best for | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Direct rollover | 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), TSP | Your plan sends the money straight to your new Gold IRA custodian. No taxes withheld, no penalty. |
| Trustee-to-trustee transfer | An existing IRA | Custodian-to-custodian move. Not taxable, and no limit on how many you can do. |
| Indirect (60-day) rollover | Rarely recommended | You receive the money and must redeposit it within 60 days. Only one IRA-to-IRA indirect rollover is allowed per 12 months, and employer plans usually withhold 20% for taxes. |
Still working? Many employer plans only allow rollovers after you leave the job, but some allow in-service rollovers once you reach age 59½. We will help you check your plan’s rules.
Contribution Limits for 2026
$7,500Annual IRA contribution limit for 2026
$8,600If you are age 50 or older ($1,100 catch-up)
No limitOn rollovers and transfers from other retirement accounts
Limits are set by the IRS and apply across all of your traditional and Roth IRAs combined.
Where Your Gold Is Stored
IRS rules require IRA metals to be held by an approved trustee or custodian, which is why they are stored at a professional depository rather than at home. Depositories typically offer:
- Segregated storage: your exact coins and bars are kept separately
- Commingled storage: your metal is stored with other investors’ identical products, usually at a lower fee
- Full insurance, regular audits, and around-the-clock security
Be careful with “home storage” Gold IRA pitches. Taking personal possession of IRA metals is treated as a distribution and can trigger taxes and penalties.
Taking Money Out in Retirement
- Age 59½: withdrawals can begin without the 10% early-withdrawal penalty
- Age 73: required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin for traditional Gold IRAs. Roth IRAs have no RMDs for the original owner
- Cash or metal: sell metals inside the account and take cash, or take an in-kind distribution and have the coins shipped to you. Either way, traditional IRA distributions are taxed as ordinary income
- Selling back: Bishop Gold Group can help you liquidate when you need to
