Written by Retirement Advisor Published February 15, 2026 · Last updated August 12, 2026
Quick answer: You open a self-directed IRA with an approved custodian, fund it through a contribution, transfer, or direct rollover, direct the custodian to buy IRS-eligible gold or silver from a dealer, and the metal is shipped to and held at an approved depository – you never personally hold or store it.
The five real steps
1) Choose an IRS-approved self-directed IRA custodian. 2) Fund the account via contribution, transfer, or trustee-to-trustee rollover. 3) Select IRS-eligible metals (99.5% purity gold, 99.9% purity silver, or specifically named coins) from a dealer. 4) The custodian pays the dealer directly from IRA funds. 5) The metal ships to an approved depository, not to you.
What happens at distribution
At retirement age, you can take an in-kind distribution of the physical metal (paying applicable taxes at that time) or have the custodian sell it and distribute cash – both are treated as ordinary IRA distributions under the same rules as any other IRA asset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I ever take physical possession of the metal before retirement?
No – taking possession before a qualifying distribution is treated as a taxable, penalized withdrawal, per the McNulty Tax Court ruling.
Is there a deadline to complete a rollover?
An indirect rollover (funds paid to you first) must be redeposited within 60 days to avoid taxes and penalties; a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer has no such deadline.
it’s essential to do thorough research, understand the associated costs, and consider consulting a financial advisor to ensure that it aligns with your retirement goals.
Thanks for enlightening us about how gold and silver IRAs work, and for the detailed explanation of their pros and cons to help us make an informed decision.
Very informative breakdown! I’ve always been curious about diversifying my retirement portfolio with precious metals. This video made it much clearer how Gold and Silver IRAs function, especially the tax advantages and the difference between physical and paper assets. Thanks for simplifying a complex topic!
it’s essential to do thorough research, understand the associated costs, and consider consulting a financial advisor to ensure that it aligns with your retirement goals.
Thanks for enlightening us about how gold and silver IRAs work, and for the detailed explanation of their pros and cons to help us make an informed decision.
Very informative breakdown! I’ve always been curious about diversifying my retirement portfolio with precious metals. This video made it much clearer how Gold and Silver IRAs function, especially the tax advantages and the difference between physical and paper assets. Thanks for simplifying a complex topic!