A gold IRA account, also known as a self-directed IRA, is an account that stores assets in gold (or other approved precious metals) rather than paper assets as in a traditional IRA. This gold can be in the form of either gold bullion or coins. With thousands of years of history as a store of true value, gold is an investment unlike any other. As a safe haven for wealth and a proven method for passing savings to the next generation, gold is golden.
No other precious metal has ever been or will ever be, as prized as gold. It will never lose its intrinsic value. More importantly, gold is the ultimate hedge against the volatility of the stock market and other paper assets. By placing your assets into a gold IRA account – whether in gold bullion or gold coins (or other approved precious metals) – rather than less stable paper assets, you can be secure in knowing that you’re taking control of your financial wealth.
Unlike paper assets, gold isn’t subject to the kind of dilution of other investments because it’s a tangible and finite resource. Because of this, gold isn’t subject to the vagaries and missteps of governments and financial institutions. It can’t be printed at will like money, and unlike stocks, it isn’t subject to mergers or splits.
With gold your wealth is not at the mercy or competence of others. Gold can be easily stored, accessed, and hidden by the person who owns it. And unlike real estate, gold is also extremely liquid. Taken altogether, it’s easy to see why no other investment affords you the same benefits of gold.
Gold is the inflation-proof investment. Gold historically moves counter to the direction of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Traditionally, in times of market scares, the price of gold rises as investors look for more reliable investments. When you buy gold at today’s dollar value, you can sell it with tomorrow’s currency and recoup the changes.
This is unlike other purchases which become devalued as inflation erodes the rate of currency. As central banks pump trillions of dollars into world economies, this is an important aspect to consider when choosing your retirement options. Gold is an excellent way to diversify your portfolio.
As a tangible asset, you can hold the physical gold you own. With the insecurity of many retirement accounts and pensions, taking possession of your gold gives you the confidence and protection of always knowing where your assets are. In the event of a stock market crash, electronic blackout, or any other unforeseen social or political catastrophe, your paper assets can all easily vanish with the crash of a computer system.
Gold provides you with “financial insurance” that will stand strong. Gold offers protection against future inflation and dollar devaluations that other investment options simply can’t provide.
Over the last 20 years gold and silver have both experienced strong moves in price. From 2005 to 2011, a period which gold and silver both experienced sharp increases in value, silver rose in value by a factor of five. While both gold and silver have many industrial applications, silver’s ubiquitous industrial use includes medical applications, photovoltaic cells, and just about every electrical appliance in the world. Some experts believe in an impending silver shortage which could have a profound effect on the value of silver.
So, now that you know about silver and gold IRAs, which IRA account is the best investment for you – traditional or Roth IRA? That may depend on how you plan on using it. With traditional IRAs, your contributions can be tax deductible – depending on your income – and are not taxed until they are distributed within certain conditions: The account holder doesn’t pay taxes until the assets are withdrawn in retirement. With Roth IRAs, you make after-tax contributions with the potential for tax-free income in retirement – again, provided certain conditions are met. A Roth can be funded alongside your 401(k).
Let us help you get started investing like a expert with our free download “The Secret to Successful Gold Investing.” Learn how to buy a gold in an IRA account, convert your IRA in to a gold-backed IRA, or whether to choose bullion or gold coins in an IRA account. Give your wealth the protection your hard work deserves today!
