Precious Metals

Tips 

What you need to know about precious metals before you invest.

Investors often turn to physical assets like precious metals to diversify their retirement portfolio during times of higher inflation or stock market volatility. Certain coins and bullion are acceptable as Individual Retirement Account (IRA) investments as long as they are not collectibles. An individual holding precious metals in their IRA may not have physical possession of the coins or bullion at any time; they must be stored at an approved depository.

View the list of acceptable and unacceptable precious metals before you get started.

Common risks when investing in precious metals

• These may be a more expensive investment than other asset types. Also be aware of your selected depository’s storage fees

• Vaulted precious metals take time to withdraw, inspect, and sell

• Risk of theft or loss

Rules 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has certain rules to keep in mind when considering an investment in precious metals.

• Precious metals cannot be collectibles, as described in IRS Publications 590-A and 590-B.
• Precious metals must adhere to applicable fineness and/or bullion standards, as described in the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997: Gold must be .9950 pure. Silver must be .9990 pure. Platinum and Palladium must be .9995 pure.
• You cannot personally hold or store your precious metals (e.g., keeping the metals in a safe inside your home). You must select an approved depository to do so, and may choose to hold them in segregated or non-segregated (“commingled”) storage.
• Your IRA cannot purchase any metals you personally own from yourself.

Curious about your self-directed IRA options?

1. Open your self-directed IRA account and fund it

Register and log in to the client portal, then complete a self-directed IRA application online. Visit our Open an Account page for more details. 

2. Choose a depository

We work with certain depositories, or you are free to choose your own, but it must be approved by Provident.

3. Complete our Precious Metals Direction of Investment Form

You can easily complete a digital version of this form through your portal, or you can email, fax, or mail us a completed Precious Metals Direction of Investment Form.

4. Send your supporting documentation

Along with your Precious Metals Direction of Investment Form, you must provide the following:  

-Invoice/Purchase Order from the precious metals dealer

5. Receive a confirmation

You will receive an email confirmation once your request has been processed and your funds have been scheduled to leave your account. 

You are responsible for performing due diligence on your investment. Every investment has unique risks and any decision to invest should only be made after you conduct a thorough review of the investment and any parties related to the investment. Provident Trust Group is a passive, directed custodian and as such does not provide any type of investment advice or due diligence.