Goldco Gold IRA Breakdown: Your 2025 Investment Guide

Gold IRA companies provide a wide range of services aimed at making the process of transferring funds and investing in physical gold straightforward and hassle-free.

Choosing the right gold IRA company can also assist in expanding your retirement funds by including physical gold and other precious metals.

One notable option is Goldco Precious Metals.

Established in 2011, this company specializes in helping individuals save for retirement through physical gold and other precious metals.

If you’re interested in understanding the process of rolling over your IRA, exploring Goldco’s product offerings, fee structures, and additional services, this review covers all the essential details. By the end, you should be equipped to decide whether Goldco aligns with your investment goals.

Let’s jump right in.

Originally known as the Gerson Financial Group, GoldCo Precious Metals has grown into a leading company in the U.S. for precious metals IRAs.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, it deals in buying and selling precious metals, including bullion coins and bars, as well as collectibles and numismatic items. The company also assists investors in establishing their own precious metals IRA accounts and other tax-advantaged retirement savings plans such as gold and silver IRAs.

In 2017, Goldco partnered in marketing efforts with former Congressman Ron Paul, a well-known advocate of gold investing and a figure highly regarded among the gold enthusiast community. The company has also recently formed promotional collaborations with personalities like actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, along with radio and TV host Sean Hannity.

Goldco provides gold and silver bullion for direct purchase by individual investors and also targets the IRA markets focused on these metals. They do not carry inventory of platinum or palladium products, so investors interested in diversifying into these specific metals might need to look elsewhere. Additionally, Goldco’s parent company runs a sister enterprise called Coin IRA, which specializes in integrating cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum into retirement plans.

Precious metals IRAs are specialized retirement accounts designed to hold physical assets such as bullion bars, coins, or rounds. These assets are stored securely in IRS-approved depositories by custodians authorized by the IRS.

Unlike traditional investment firms, most banks, mutual fund companies, and stock brokers don’t support holding physical gold or silver within IRAs. Traditional advisors typically avoid recommending physical precious metals because they don’t generate ongoing management fees from stored assets, and they prefer clients to invest in securities like stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds that focus on metals.

While you can gain exposure to precious metals via securities, investing directly in physical metals through a self-directed IRA can offer similar diversification benefits at a lower overall cost—since you avoid high fees often associated with traditional financial services. You can choose to establish a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA for tax-free growth, or combine both depending on your financial situation. These IRAs also maintain the same tax advantages and asset protections as any standard IRA.

Including IRA-held precious metals in a diversified retirement portfolio makes sense, especially given the current economic climate: The rising national debt is exerting significant downward pressure on the U.S. dollar. As debt levels increase, the Federal Reserve is compelled to keep interest rates artificially low, which necessitates creating more dollars out of thin air. When the supply of newly created dollars surpasses demand, their value diminishes, leading to inflation.

“The main reason I believe in holding precious metals long-term is because of our $20 trillion debt,” explains Trevor Gerszt, CEO of Goldco Precious Metals. “This debt is so large that it’s basically a giant hole that can’t be filled. The problem seems intractable — a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.”

The figures Gerszt referenced were before the pandemic, and the current total national debt held by the public has continued to grow.exceeds $30 trillion and continues to increase. At the same time, nearly 20% of all dollars ever printed have been produced in just the last two years. Unsurprisingly, inflation rates have been rising — even prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which caused oil prices to skyrocket.

Looking at the broader picture, history shows a clear trend: the dollar has lost nearly 90% of its buying power since the Federal Reserve was established. In contrast, gold and silver have generally preserved their value over time. An ounce of gold today could buy a high-quality custom suit, just as it could around 1913 at the turn of the 20th century. Conversely, a hundred dollars today doesn’t hold the same purchasing power. While investing in gold and silver involves risks and market fluctuations, these precious metals can offer significant protection against inflation as part of your retirement strategy.

Over the years, physical precious metals have played an important role in diversifying investment portfolios against stock market crashes and economic upheavals. Although gold doesn’t always appreciate during market volatility, it remains sufficiently uncorrelated with equities, making it a valuable asset for diversification in a balanced portfolio.

Goldco specializes in a wide selection of gold and silver coins and bars. Although they do not carry palladium or platinum, their inventory includes many gold and silver coins suitable for retirement accounts. A visual overview can be seen in the image below.

Goldco can also assist customers interested in establishing self-directed IRAs, including gold IRAs, silver IRAs, and Roth IRAs. Their catalog includes popular items like Gold Buffalos, American Eagles, and Canadian Maples, but also features more unique coins that qualify for IRAs, such as those listed below.

Here are some gold and silver coin options currently available through Goldco:

These coins are all IRS-approved, meeting the legal standards for mint origin and purity required for inclusion in retirement accounts such as self-directed IRAs and 401(k)s.

Goldco has earned a strong reputation through years of positive customer experiences, which are reflected in numerous independent reviews on reputable platforms. Customers often praise Goldco’s knowledgeable and patient sales team, along with their friendly customer service. Their approach tends to be consultative and low-pressure, which many investors appreciate. While there are a few negative reviews, these usually stem from misunderstandings or miscommunications rather than failures by the company itself. Goldco maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and an AAA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance, highlighting its credibility in the industry.

Not all coins or bars are suitable for inclusion in a precious metals IRA. Legal regulations strictly prohibit holding collectibles and numismatic coins within tax-advantaged retirement accounts. IRS Section 408(m) specifies the criteria that precious metals must meet to qualify for inclusion in IRAs, including standards related to the coin’s origin, fineness, and purity.

Gold IRA holders cannot personally hold their gold or other precious metals. Trying to store your IRA coins or bullion at home isn’t permitted. The IRS mandates that all IRA assets be managed by an approved custodian who handles all account holdings, including precious metals. Goldco uses the Equity Trust company as its primary custodian for gold and silver IRAs. Equity Trust is a leading provider in the precious metals IRA sector and the self-directed IRA market.

Similar to many companies specializing in gold IRAs, Goldco earns revenue by buying precious metals at wholesale prices and selling them at retail prices. They purchase metals wholesale and do not charge management, monthly statement, or hidden fees. If you buy gold or silver directly from Goldco for immediate delivery outside of an IRA, you’ll pay the retail price and nothing more. Shipping for qualified orders is free. However, IRA customers cannot take physical delivery of their metals and will incur some custodial and storage fees.

Annual custodial fees generally range from $80 to $300 based on the provider. If you invest between $25,000 and $100,000, Goldco’s preferred custodian, Equity Trust, typically charges $175 per year. For investments exceeding $100,000, the fee increases to $225 annually.

Gold IRA owners are legally required to store their metals in IRS-approved facilities. As a self-directed IRA owner, you can select your depository, with Goldco partnering with three secure vaulting services: The Delaware Depository Service Company (DDSC), Brinks, and International Depository Services. All three options offer non-segregated storage at a flat rate of $100 per year. For segregated storage, International Depository Services charges $150 annually. To set up a new IRA, you’ll pay about $260, which covers account opening, setup, and the first year’s storage and custodial fees. Most clients can expect yearly expenses around $180 after the initial year, which compares favorably to standard AUM fees charged by traditional financial advisors, especially for larger accounts.

The starting minimum investment with Goldco is $25,000, making it accessible for many investors.

For new accounts meeting the $25,000 minimum, Goldco offers a unique benefit: they reimburse storage fees for the first year by shipping you equivalent-value silver. This can offset some of the small custodian and storage costs. If you invest an additional $25,000, Goldco will provide an extra silver shipment equivalent to another year’s storage and custodial fees.

If you have existing retirement accounts such as an IRA, 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, 403(b), or Thrift Savings Plan, Goldco makes it easy to transfer those assets into an IRA or Roth IRA backed by precious metals. In most cases, you can complete a trustee-to-trustee transfer by instructing your current custodian to wire funds directly to your new IRA account. Keep in mind, some 401(k) plans restrict in-service withdrawals, so you may need to wait until leaving your employer to initiate a rollover. Once your new IRA is funded, you can select from various gold and silver options. Your Goldco account manager will assist in choosing eligible coins or bars that fit your investing goals. After finalizing your selections, you’ll authorize the custodian to purchase the metals on your behalf, which will be shipped to a vault or transferred from another account, typically arriving within 7-10 days.The 60-Day Gold IRA Rollover

Opting for a 60-day rollover involves your previous retirement account custodian transferring funds directly to your personal bank account or sending you a check.

You then have 60 days to deposit these funds into your new precious metals IRA. If you choose this route, the old custodian will withhold 20% of the amount and send that portion directly to the IRS.

It’s crucial to deposit the full amount you withdrew—100%—to avoid paying taxes and penalties on the difference. For more comprehensive details about the gold IRA rollover process, Goldco provides an excellent free guide on their Goldco.com website.

Goldco has built a strong reputation within the industry, especially among its customers.

Consumer Affairs users give the company an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on over 500 reviews.

In addition, Goldco holds a ‘AAA’ rating from the Business Consumer Alliance. It also maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and averages 4.8 out of 5 stars from Trustpilot across 665 reviews, with similar high ratings from BBB reviews.

Some negative feedback involves customers experiencing aggressive calls or texts after inquiring on the website, but Goldco’s management usually responds promptly to clarify or remove contacts, resolving these issues.

21215 Burbank Blvd #600

Woodland Hills, CA 91367-7091

Phone: 855-483-1677

www.goldco.com

GoldCo Precious Metals is a highly-rated company with a strong standing in the industry.

They are known for excellent customer service, reliable support, and a relaxed, consultative sales style. Their streamlined process makes it simple to roll over eligible assets from a previous retirement account into a Goldco IRA.

If you’re interested in investing in precious metals, Goldco is a top choice.

Start your journey with Goldco Precious Metals and download their free gold investment kit.

Additional Resources on StepThroughThePortal.com: Interested in exploring other precious metals companies currently available? Check out my list of the Top Precious Metals IRA Companies. You can also read about alternative investment options in my post on Crypto IRAs for a comprehensive overview.