IRS-Compliant · Direct Rollover Method
A direct trustee-to-trustee rollover lets you convert a 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or IRA into IRS-approved physical gold — tax-free and penalty-free when done correctly. This is the step-by-step guide that walks you through every move.
The Signature 4-Step Method
Four moves take you from a paper-based 401(k) to insured physical gold — each one designed to keep the transfer tax-free and penalty-free.
A self-directed IRA (SDIRA) is the only retirement account that can legally hold physical metals. A custodian sets it up in minutes — no need to liquidate or touch your current funds yet.
Your custodian requests a trustee-to-trustee transfer from your 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or existing IRA. Because the money moves institution-to-institution, it is never a taxable distribution — no taxes, no 10% penalty.
Select eligible gold (and silver, platinum, or palladium) that meets IRS purity standards — like American Gold Eagles or .9999 bullion bars. Collectible / numismatic coins are not allowed in an IRA.
Your metals are shipped fully insured to an IRS-approved depository such as Delaware Depository, Brink's, or Loomis — held in your name, auditable, and yours to liquidate or take in-kind at retirement.
A direct rollover (institution-to-institution) is the safe path. Avoid indirect rollovers, where funds pass through your hands and a missed 60-day window can trigger taxes and penalties.
Eligibility Check
Most tax-advantaged retirement accounts can be moved into a self-directed gold IRA. The key rule: funds from an old employer plan, or any IRA, transfer without a taxable event.
Not sure if your current plan allows an in-service rollover? Our free guide includes the two questions to ask your plan administrator.
Old / former-employer 401(k)
A 401(k) from a previous job rolls over freely. A current-employer plan may qualify if you're 59½+ or the plan allows in-service distributions.
Nonprofit & school 403(b)
Teachers, hospital and nonprofit employees can roll a 403(b) into a self-directed gold IRA the same way as a 401(k).
Federal / military Thrift Savings Plan
Separated federal employees and retired service members can move TSP funds to gold. The G-Fund stays in dollars — gold adds a hard-asset hedge.
Traditional, SEP & SIMPLE IRA
Existing IRAs transfer directly with no distribution event. SIMPLE IRAs are eligible after the initial 2-year participation period.
Government 457(b)
Governmental 457(b) plans are generally rollover-eligible after separation. Non-governmental 457(b) plans typically are not.
Roth IRA / Roth 401(k)
Roth funds roll into a Roth self-directed IRA, preserving tax-free growth — just keep Roth and pre-tax dollars in separate accounts.
Why Roll Over At All
A rollover isn't about going all-in on metal. It's about holding a portion of retirement wealth in an asset that doesn't depend on a counterparty's promise.
The dollar has lost roughly 87% of its purchasing power since 1971. Because gold's supply can't be printed, it has historically held real value through inflationary decades — a counterweight to cash and bonds.
A typical 401(k) is 100% paper: stocks, bonds, and funds that often move together in a crisis. Physical gold has a low correlation to equities, which can soften portfolio drawdowns.
Inside a self-directed IRA, your gold is allocated and held in your name at an insured depository — not a paper claim or ETF share. It's auditable, and yours to take in-kind at retirement.
2026 Editorial Rankings
Our independent assessment of the custodians and dealers that handle 401(k)-to-gold rollovers — judged on fees, transparency, storage, reputation, and buyback terms.
Our top-rated featured partner: BBB A+ rated, transparent spot-based pricing, IRS-approved depository partners, and a no-obligation buyback commitment. Full details on newmontcapitalgroup.com.
Well-known brand with a strong educational focus; notably high account minimum.
Min $50,000
Large, established gold IRA provider with broad brand recognition.
Min $25,000
High-volume dealer with a low entry point and frequent promotions.
Min $10,000
Long-running dealer with a wide range of IRS-approved metals.
Min $10,000
Ratings are our independent editorial opinion, not user reviews.
The Rollover Resource Library
Detailed, account-by-account guides and plain-English rule references — everything you need to move with confidence.
Rollover guides
Step-by-step guides for 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), TSP, Traditional & Roth IRA, SEP, SIMPLE — plus Fidelity, Vanguard, and Empower 401(k)s.
Rules reference
Deadlines, 20% withholding, and the once-per-year rule — and how the direct method avoids every one of them.
Rules reference
IRS purity standards, approved-depository storage, prohibited transactions, and the home-storage myth.
2026 ranking
Our full editorial ranking with fees, minimums, storage partners, pros, and cons for each provider.
New here? Start with how we research and rate every company.
Rollover & Penalty Questions
Use a direct (trustee-to-trustee) rollover. Your new self-directed IRA custodian requests the funds directly from your 401(k) provider, so the money never passes through your hands and is never treated as a distribution. Done this way, a 401(k)-to-gold rollover triggers no taxes and no 10% early-withdrawal penalty, regardless of your age.
A 401(k) from a former employer can always be rolled over. For a current-employer plan, you generally need to be 59½ or older, or the plan must specifically permit 'in-service' distributions. Ask your plan administrator two questions: do you allow in-service rollovers, and is my account fully vested? A former-job 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or any IRA rolls over freely.
In a direct rollover, funds move institution-to-institution and are never taxable. In an indirect rollover, the plan sends the money to you, and you have 60 days to redeposit it into the new IRA — miss that window and the IRS treats it as a taxable distribution, potentially with a 10% penalty. Plans also withhold 20% on indirect rollovers. The direct method avoids all of this, so it's what we recommend.
Yes. Separated federal employees and retired service members can roll Thrift Savings Plan funds into a self-directed gold IRA using the same direct-transfer process. While still in federal service, TSP rollover options are limited, but after separation the full balance is eligible to move into IRS-approved physical metals.
The IRS permits gold, silver, platinum, and palladium that meet minimum purity standards — 99.5% for gold (with the American Gold Eagle as a specific exception) — produced by an approved mint or refiner. Common eligible products include American Gold Eagles, Canadian Gold Maple Leafs, and .9999 bullion bars. Collectible, graded, or 'numismatic' coins are generally not eligible.
IRS rules require IRA metals to be held by an approved depository, not at home. Reputable custodians use facilities such as the Delaware Depository, Brink's, or Loomis, where your metals are fully insured, segregated or allocated in your name, and independently audited. You can take physical possession only as a distribution at retirement.
That's a personal decision and not something we can advise on — many investors allocate a portion of retirement savings to metals as a hedge rather than going all-in. You can roll over part of an eligible account and leave the rest invested. Consult a licensed financial or tax professional about an allocation that fits your situation.
Free · No obligation
A plain-English PDF that walks you through the penalty-free direct-transfer process step by step — plus a no-pressure consultation with our top-rated partner. Your information stays private.
