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Personal Finance Gold

Goldco Gold IRA and Metals Review: A Trusted Option with High Investment Minimums

4.2 /5
Gold IRA and Precious Metals Dealer
  • Great reviews and ratings across platforms
  • Allows opening an IRA and buying metals in one place
  • Minimum investment of $25,000 for IRAs
  • Buy-back program guarantees the highest price
  • Educational resources to guide investors
  • High minimum investment of $25,000 for an IRA, $15,000 for direct purchases
  • Fees for storage range from $225–$325 per year
  • No customer dashboard for tracking investmentsLimited transparency on fees

Goldco specializes in gold and silver IRA retirement accounts and has been in business since 2011. While it offers a solid option for those looking to invest in precious metals, with a 4.2/5 rating, it doesn’t quite match the standout features of top-rated competitors.

Companies like American Hartford Gold, Anthem Gold Group, and Priority Gold not only score higher but also deliver distinct advantages, such as industry-leading resources, better pricing transparency, and exceptional introductory offers. Before choosing Goldco, consider how its offerings align with your investment goals compared to these higher-rated alternatives.

What does Goldco offer?

Goldco offers precious metals IRAs and a selection of IRS-approved gold and silver coins. Its streamlined approach allows investors to set up an IRA, purchase metals, and arrange secure storage in one place.

While Goldco provides a convenient solution for those focused on gold and silver, its high minimum investment requirements may make it less accessible for entry-level investors or those with smaller portfolios.

Precious metals IRAs

Gold and silver IRAs are Goldco’s specialty. They can help you open these accounts, fund them with a rollover from other retirement accounts, and then purchase the best-fitting investments. They can also point you toward an approved depository where you can store your metals.

To open an account, you’ll need at least $25,000.

Direct purchases of coins or bars

According to IRS rules, you can only purchase metals of a certain purity with an IRA. If you want to store precious metals outside of an IRA, Goldco offers various coins and bars that can be shipped to your home. A minimum investment of $15,000 is required.

How much does Goldco cost?

Goldco itself doesn’t charge any fees. The custodian selected for your account will charge an annual account administration fee of $125. Depending on whether you choose segregated or non-segregated storage, the depository where your metals will be stored could charge between $225 and $325 per year.

Additionally, Goldco requires a minimum investment of $25,000 for IRAs and $15,000 for purchases.

Where does Goldco store my precious metals?

Goldco doesn’t store your metals directly, but it does have relationships with various secure depositories across the country. Your precious metals specialist will direct you to the best depository for your needs.

Goldco customer ratings

Not all gold IRA companies are created equal, and scams are unfortunately common in this industry. That’s why it’s critical to compare your options thoroughly—not just to avoid scams, but to ensure you receive the best service and investment guidance. Customer ratings and reviews provide valuable insight into a company’s performance and reliability.

Goldco boasts positive reviews across all major platforms, reflecting its consistent track record of customer satisfaction. According to reviewers, Goldco stands out for its knowledgeable representatives, streamlined account setup process, and clear communication—key factors for any first-time gold IRA investor.

However, some customers mention the high minimum investment requirement as a drawback, particularly for those new to precious metals investing.

SourceRating
Better Business Bureau4.83/5 (1,146 reviews), A+ rating
Trustpilot4.8/5 (1,558 reviews)
Google4.9/5 (2,819 reviews)

These reviews indicate that Goldco delivers a largely positive experience, though some competitors, like American Hartford Gold, offer higher overall ratings and unique features that may better suit specific investor needs. It’s worth reading individual reviews to understand how Goldco might align with your expectations and preferences.

Can I see how my precious metal investments are performing?

While Goldco doesn’t offer a proprietary dashboard for monitoring your precious metal investments, it partners with custodians like Equity Trust and Self Directed IRA, which provide platforms for tracking your holdings.

If having direct access to real-time price charts and performance metrics is crucial for you, Priority Gold stands out in this area. They offer comprehensive, real-time gold spot price charts on their website, allowing investors to make informed decisions based on current market data.

How to open an account

Goldco’s precious metals specialists can walk you through the process of setting up your account, but generally, it will look something like this:

1. Choose your IRA

You can opt for a traditional self-directed IRA or a self-directed Roth IRA. The best choice typically depends on how you’ll be funding the account. (If you’re rolling over funds from a Roth IRA, a self-directed Roth account is likely best.

2. Determine your funding source

Figure out how you’ll fund your new account. Most investors use funds from other retirement accounts, like IRAs, 401(k)s, and 403(b)s. You’ll simply roll over a portion or all of your funds into your new account.

3. Choose your custodian and fill out the paperwork

You’ll next need to choose your gold IRA custodian. If you use Goldco, its preferred custodian is Equity Trust. Once you complete the custodian’s paperwork, you can establish your IRA account and begin investing.

4. Fund your new account

Next, it’s time to fund your new account. If you’re rolling over funds, you can request the transfer by contacting your current 401(k) or retirement account holder. You may want to speak to a tax advisor first to be sure you’re in line with IRS rules and minimizing your tax liabilities.

5. Buy your metals

Finally, you’ll choose the approved gold and silver you want to buy. Goldco’s investing specialists can help you pick the right metals for your portfolio, as well as coordinate the purchase, shipping, and storage of your investments.

Pros and cons of Goldco

As with any company, Goldco has its pros and cons. Make sure you consider both before deciding where to open your gold IRA account.

Pros

  • Great reviews and ratings

  • Allows you to open an IRA and buy metals in one place

  • Many helpful online resources to learn from

Cons

  • High minimum investment

  • No publicly available fees or prices

How can I withdraw from my account?

Though you can technically withdraw funds from your gold IRA at any time, you will owe a 10% penalty if doing so before age 59.5. After you hit 59.5, withdrawals are tax-free.

By age 72, you’re required to start taking minimum distributions, per IRS rules.

Where to find Goldco alternatives

Goldco can help you open your account, fund it, and purchase your gold and silver investments. However, it’s not without its drawbacks.

The high minimum investment requirements and lack of a customer dashboard for tracking investments are notable limitations. Fortunately, there are many reputable precious metal IRA companies that address these gaps, often offering additional features or greater flexibility.

Below are some of our top-rated recommendations, each excelling in areas where Goldco may fall short:

Company
Best for…
Rating (0-5)
Best Overall
Best Intro Offer
Best Price Charts
Best Buyback Program
  • American Hartford Gold offers a more accessible minimum investment and industry-leading customer support, addressing concerns about Goldco’s high entry point.
  • Anthem Gold Group provides a highly attractive introductory offer, making it easier for first-time investors to get started.
  • Priority Gold excels in transparency with real-time price charts, giving investors the tools to actively monitor market trends—an area where Goldco falls short.
  • Preserve Gold boasts a best-in-class buyback program, ensuring you can sell your metals at competitive prices when needed.

If Goldco doesn’t fully align with your investment goals, exploring these alternatives could lead you to a better fit. Visit our guide to best gold IRAs to learn more and get started.

How we rated Goldco

Our rating for Goldco was determined by reviewing companies based on several factors. These factors included BBB rating, Trustpilot rating, annual fees, educational resources, customer support, and collection of precious metal coins and bars.

Once a score was assigned, we then identified where each company stood out amongst its competitors to create our picks for what each company was the best for.

Company/ProductRating
Goldco gold IRA 4.2/5
Goldco metals dealer4.2/5