With $17.5 trillion under administration, Fidelity is a major player in the world of investing and finance. The company offers a range of products to both individuals and businesses, and these include brokerage accounts, individual retirement accounts and employer-sponsored retirement plans.
But does the company also offer gold IRAs? The answer seems murky.
In this Fidelity gold IRA review, we’ll unpack what we know about the company’s gold investment options. We’ll also discuss the best Fidelity alternatives for those who want to use precious metals to save for retirement:
Table of Contents
Does Fidelity offer gold IRAs?
Most gold IRA companies are upfront about their offerings, but Fidelity isn’t so clear. Their website has a page on precious metals, but it only briefly mentions buying gold for an IRA.
Reddit has a forum dedicated to Fidelity Investments, and questions about gold IRAs are occasionally posted there. At least twice in the past year, the company’s representatives have stated that gold can be purchased through a brokerage account or a regular IRA. Below is one example:
Here’s the full thread:
However, gold and precious metals aren’t listed on Fidelity’s website as one of its IRA investment options. And while the response above mentions a self-directed IRA (which is needed per IRS rules for alternative investments such as precious metals), we found no mention of one on the Fidelity website. Still, there is that reference to buying gold for a Fidelity IRA on its precious metals page.
To get some clarity on the matter, I chatted with Fidelity’s online support. The answers I received didn’t shed much light on the situation. After being told that Fidelity doesn’t offer gold IRAs, I was informed I could transfer money into a regular Fidelity IRA and buy gold that way:
So does Fidelity offer a gold IRA? Maybe, but the details and process for setting one up are far from clear.
Gold pricing at Fidelity
What is clear is that you can buy precious metals from Fidelity. It has a $2,500 minimum purchase requirement, and the following IRA-eligible items are currently listed as available:
- Gold American Eagle coins
- Gold American Buffalo coins
- Silver American Eagle coins
- Platinum American Eagle coin
- Bullion quality gold, silver, platinum and palladium
You’ll pay a fee that is a percentage of the amount purchased. It starts at 2.9% for purchases less than $10,000 and drops incrementally to 0.99% for purchases of $100,000 or more.
If you want to store your gold in a depository, a requirement for precious metals held in an IRA, Fidelity uses FideliTrade Incorporated, according to a representative’s response on Reddit.
Here’s the thread that image came from:
Despite the similarities in their names, FideliTrade is not affiliated with Fidelity Investments. It’s a precious metals company that, among other services, maintains a storage depository in Delaware. The current price sheet on the company’s website lists the following annual fees to store gold and other precious metals:
- Bulk, non-segregated storage: 0.25% of account value ($35/year minimum)
- Individual, non-segregated storage: 0.50% of account value ($50/year minimum)
- Individual, segregated storage: 1.5% of account value ($100/year minimum)
Shipping and handling and other miscellaneous fees may also apply.
Alternatives to a Fidelity gold IRA
Without a doubt, Fidelity Investments has an excellent reputation within the finance world. Countless people choose the company for its brokerage and retirement accounts. However, the firm doesn’t make it easy to understand whether gold IRAs are available and how to set one up.
For a more seamless experience, you may want to work with a company that specializes in gold IRAs. Since they focus on these accounts almost exclusively, they make the process easy to understand and have specially trained staff to guide you step by step.
Here are a few of the top gold IRA companies that we think are great Fidelity alternatives.
American Hartford Gold
Why it’s a great option
American Hartford Gold is one of the leaders in gold and silver investments. The company has an executive team with deep knowledge and experience in the industry. American Hartford Gold has delivered more than $4 billion worth of precious metals to hundreds of thousands of customers. You can establish a gold IRA with AHG in three easy steps.
- 7-day price protection guarantee
- Complete IRA rollovers in as few as three days
- Choice of depository company and location
- Platinum and palladium not available
- No rate schedule provided online
Gold IRA details
| Available metals | Gold, silver |
| Fees | Depend on plan; up to 3 years of no storage, maintenance, or insurance fees for IRA rollovers |
| Asset protection | Insured shipments, signature on delivery |
| Performance tracking | Regular statements from your account administrator |
| Reputation | Outstanding |
Advantage Gold
Why it’s a great option
Advantage Gold was founded in 2014 and has become a top choice for gold IRAs, thanks to its strong focus on consumer education. With more than $1 billion in sales, the company is trusted by many as a safe and secure way to invest in gold. Advantage Gold prides itself on excellent customer service, which makes the IRA rollover process painless.
- Full-service assistance for IRA rollovers
- Buyback services available
- Newer company than other gold IRA providers
- No rate schedule provided online
Gold IRA details
| Available metals | Gold, silver, platinum, palladium |
| Fees | Depend on plan and custodian |
| Asset protection | Tracked orders, fully insured, and confidential shipping |
| Performance tracking | Custodian statements |
| Reputation | Excellent |
Priority Gold
Why it’s a great option
Priority Gold is a top-ranked precious metals company that makes it simple to open a gold IRA in three steps. The company offers a range of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium metals and regularly runs specials, including free silver, storage, or shipping.
- In-person consultations available at Dallas office
- Free wealth preservation guide available
- Must call to set up an IRA; no online application available
- Some products online do not indicate whether they are IRA-eligible
Gold IRA details
| Available metals | Gold, silver |
| Fees | $50 setup fee, $125 annual service fee, $100 annual storage, $35 wire fees |
| Asset protection | Insured shipping |
| Performance tracking | Portal with real-time insights |
| Reputation | Solid |
Goldco
Why it’s a great option
Goldco gets high marks for its competitive pricing, fast customer service, and special promotions. It has been ranked among the top precious metals companies by numerous organizations and has delivered more than $3 billion in gold and silver to its customers. Goldco says it can have your gold IRA set up in as little as a day.
- Price match guarantee
- Industry-highest buyback guarantee with no fees
- Platinum and palladium not available
- $10,000 minimum purchase requirement
Gold IRA details
| Available metals | Gold, silver |
| Fees | Custodian account fees roughly $225 – $325 |
| Asset protection | Free shipping insurance |
| Performance tracking | Custodian platforms |
| Reputation | Outstanding |
Patriot Gold Group
Why it’s a great option
Patriot Gold Group calls its gold IRA process “lightning fast.” You can set up your IRA in as little as 24 hours, and the company promises “no fees for life” on qualifying accounts. Patriot Gold Group has an executive team with extensive experience in the precious metals industry.
- Online application available
- No fees for life on qualifying IRAs
- Platinum and palladium not available
- Custodian and depository options not listed online
Gold IRA details
| Available metals | Gold, silver |
| Fees | $250; waived for accounts over $100,000 |
| Asset protection | Insured shipping |
| Performance tracking | Via the assigned custodian |
| Reputation | Outstanding |
Article sources
At LendEDU, our writers and editors rely on primary sources, such as government data and websites, industry reports and whitepapers, and interviews with experts and company representatives. We also reference reputable company websites and research from established publishers. This approach allows us to produce content that is accurate, unbiased, and supported by reliable evidence. Read more about our editorial standards.
- Fidelity, Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium Trading
- Fidelity, Business Update
- Fidelity, Investing for Retirement
- FideliTrade Incorporated, Rate Schedule
- American Hartford Gold, About American Hartford Gold
- Advantage Gold, About Us
- Priority Gold, About Priority Gold
- Goldco, Who We Are
- Goldco, Gold IRAs, FAQ at bottom
- Patriot Gold Group, Why Patriot Gold Group
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About our contributors
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Written by Maryalene LaPonsieMaryalene LaPonsie has been writing professionally for more than 20 years, including 15 years specializing in education, healthcare, and personal finance topics. She graduated from Western Michigan University, where she studied political science and international business. She resides in West Michigan.
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Edited by Kristen Barrett, MATKristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their three senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015.