GOLD IRA

One option that is currently very attractive is the purchase of gold and precious metals within a Self Directed IRA account. There can be material benefits to this form of Gold ownership, but as with everything these days, there are also some specific rules that must be followed in order to have the investment be qualified. For example, only specific US gold, Silver and Platinum coins are allowed like the US Gold and Silver Eagles, along with other bullion coins that meet specific fineness standards (.999 pure) such as the Canadian Maple Leaf.

Rolling over a Traditional or Roth IRA into a Gold-backed IRA is relatively simple. The term "rollover" actually refers to the rolling over of assets in a 401(k) plan when the employee has separated from his/her employment. Separation from employment is the key to the ability to rollover the 401(k) assets into a Gold-backed IRA. If no separation has occurred, then chances are very high that the plan holder will be barred from moving the assets out of the employer's 401(k) plan.

When it comes to existing IRAs, then the term "transfer" applies. Existing IRAs with banks, credit unions, stock brokerage firms or other financial service providers can be transferred directly to a referred trust company. One very convenient option is to transfer either the cash in the account or the securities themselves