There are two real ways to move 401(k) money into a Gold IRA, and the difference between them matters a lot for taxes. A direct (trustee-to-trustee) transfer moves funds straight from the 401(k) plan to the new IRA custodian without ever passing through your hands – no taxes withheld, no deadline risk.

An indirect rollover means the 401(k) plan sends the funds to you first, and you have 60 days to deposit the full amount into the new IRA. Employer plans are required to withhold 20% for taxes on indirect distributions, which means you’d need to come up with that 20% out of pocket to complete a full rollover – otherwise the withheld portion is treated as a taxable distribution, and possibly a 10% early-withdrawal penalty if you’re under 59.5.

Once funds land in the Gold IRA, the custodian purchases IRS-eligible metal (99.5% purity for gold under IRC Section 408(m)) that ships directly to an approved depository – the metal never passes through your possession, the same rule that applies to any Gold IRA regardless of how it was funded.