About Goldco
In 2006 Goldco was founded by Trevor Gerszt as a full service precious metals firm and today it is considered a leading precious metal provider. The company is based in Calabasas, California.
Based on all the positive reviews, Goldco has an impressive customer service record.
They have earned an A+ rating with the BBB and have a 4.85 out of 5-star customer rating based on 324 customer reviews.
On TrustPilot, they have 749 reviews with a 4.8 out of 5-star rating and on TrustLink they have 253 customer reviews with a 5 out of 5-star rating.
The Business Consumer Alliance has given them a triple-A rating based on overwhelming positive customer reviews as well.
People are very impressed with the services provided by the Goldco Precious Metal Specialists and that they are not pushy and don't use high pressure tactics.
Quick Summary:
Minimum Required: $25,000 for IRAs
$3,500 for non-IRAs
Annual Fees: $80 plus storage
Special: 10% back in silver coins for new clients
Bonus: First year fees waived for new clients
Pros
Superior customer service
Direct sales of physical gold and silver
A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
Cons
High minimum investment
Services - What They Offer
The Precious Metal Specialists at Goldco can help you set-up a Precious Metals IRA or open a non-IRA account to purchase physical gold and silver which can be delivered directly to you.
Self-Directed IRA
To qualify for a Precious Metals IRA also called a self-directed IRA, you must be under 70 1/2 and have earned income.
A self-directed IRA is the only account that allows you to purchase hard assets such as IRS approved gold coins and bars. You can choose to open either a gold or silver IRA or a combination of both.
When you open this type of IRA, Section 408(m) of the Internal Revenue Code states exactly what type of gold or precious metals may be purchased and the regulations also state that physical gold in a self-directed IRA must be stored at an IRS approved third-party facility.
The Goldco precious metal specialists are very knowledgeable in this area and will provide you with the resources you need to select your gold and silver.
After you open your account, it can be funded through a rollover from an existing IRA, 401(k), 403(b), 457(b)
or a check or wire payment.
Non-IRA Account
If you don't want to open an IRA, you can purchase your precious metals directly through the company. A Precious Metal Specialist will be assigned to help you with your gold and silver selections.
For those non-IRA purchases you don't need to have earned income or to be a certain age.
The precious metals that you buy can be either stored in a secure vault or they can be delivered directly to you.
Pricing and Fees
Precious Metal IRAs:
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 Fees:
Maintenance fee: $100
Storage fee: $150 for segregated storage or
$100 for non-segregated storage
Fees for Non-IRA transactions:
There are no set-up, annual maintenance or storage fees for a non-IRA account.
Storage Options
Goldco partners with storage depositories that use state of the art security and technology to keep your precious metals safe.
They offer several different options for insured depositories.
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.
BuyBack Guarantee
Goldco offers to buy back your precious metals guaranteed at the highest price.
Bottom Line
With overwhelming positive customer reviews, low fees and a great selection of precious metals, Goldco is our #1 recommendation as the best gold IRA firm.
A self-directed IRA is an excellent way to diversify and protect your investment portfolio. Gold has outperformed cash, stocks and bonds over the last 50 years.
1) Opening a Gold IRA will give stability to your investment portfolio during uncertain financial times.
2) There will be less risk to worry about as you get older and plan for retirement.
3) The gains that you have made in stocks can be locked in if you transfer those gains into precious metals.