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Lear Capital Review

Lear Capital: gold IRA rollover review

Our independent, fact-based assessment of Lear Capital for a 401(k)- or IRA-to-gold rollover — minimum, fees, storage, custodians, pros and cons.

GBy the Gold401k Editorial TeamLast updated · June 14, 2026How we research →

Lear Capital

Best for fee-schedule-conscious entry investors

Editorial review

If you're rolling a 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or IRA into physical gold, Lear Capital is one of the dealers that can handle the precious-metals side of the transfer. Below is our factual, rollover-focused breakdown — account minimum, fees, storage and custodian partners, and our editorial take — so you can weigh it against the other providers in our ranking before you move retirement money. As with any rollover, use a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer to keep it tax-free and penalty-free.

Editorial score
3.8/5
Minimum
$10,000
BBB rating
A+accredited
Founded
1997
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Our bottom line

Is Lear Capital a good fit for your rollover?

Lear Capital is a long-established Los Angeles dealer (since 1997) with an A+ BBB rating, a $10,000 minimum, and a transparently published custody fee schedule. Prospective buyers should weigh that against its well-documented regulatory and financial history, including a 2022 Chapter 11 filing and multistate investor-refund settlements.

Pros

  • +Unusually transparent, publicly posted flat-rate fee schedule
  • +Low $10,000 minimum with predictable flat storage pricing
  • +Long track record (since 1997) with a full range of IRS-approved metals
  • +Insured, top-tier depository options

Cons

  • –Documented regulatory and financial history: a 2021 New York AG settlement, a 2022 Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and a 2023 multistate investor-refund resolution
  • –Dealer coin markups are separate from the published custody fees and have historically been high on some collector coins
  • –Has faced repeated criticism over sales tactics around moving retirement funds into metals

The facts

Lear Capital at a glance

Account minimum
$10,000
Fees
Publishes a flat-rate schedule: first year about $315 (non-segregated) or $365 (segregated) — roughly $50 application, $30 wire, $125 maintenance, and $110/$160 storage — then about $235/$285 recurring. These are custody/storage fees only; dealer coin markups are separate. Note: Lear's pricing on some collector coins was the subject of regulatory action (see cons).
Metals offered
Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium
Storage partners
Delaware Depository, Brink's, International Depository Services (IDS)
Custodian partners
Equity Trust, STRATA Trust
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
BBB rating
A+ (accredited)
Standout features
Publicly published flat-rate fee schedule · Flat storage pricing regardless of account growth · Low $10,000 minimum · Long operating history (since 1997)

Facts reviewed 2026-06. Ratings are our independent editorial opinion, not user reviews.

Rollover FAQ

Lear Capital rollover questions

Does Lear Capital support 401(k)-to-gold rollovers?+

Yes. Lear Capital handles the precious-metals side of a rollover: you open a self-directed IRA with a metals-capable custodian (its custodian partners include Equity Trust, STRATA Trust), fund it with a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer from your 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or IRA, and then purchase IRS-approved metals held at an approved depository (Delaware Depository, Brink's, International Depository Services (IDS)). A direct transfer keeps the rollover tax-free and penalty-free.

What is the account minimum at Lear Capital?+

Lear Capital's stated account minimum is $10,000. It is best suited to fee-schedule-conscious entry investors. Confirm the current minimum directly, as figures can change.

What does Lear Capital charge in fees?+

Publishes a flat-rate schedule: first year about $315 (non-segregated) or $365 (segregated) — roughly $50 application, $30 wire, $125 maintenance, and $110/$160 storage — then about $235/$285 recurring. These are custody/storage fees only; dealer coin markups are separate. Note: Lear's pricing on some collector coins was the subject of regulatory action (see cons).

Is Lear Capital a reputable gold IRA company?+

Lear Capital holds a A+ BBB rating and is BBB-accredited. Lear Capital is a long-established Los Angeles dealer (since 1997) with an A+ BBB rating, a $10,000 minimum, and a transparently published custody fee schedule. Prospective buyers should weigh that against its well-documented regulatory and financial history, including a 2022 Chapter 11 filing and multistate investor-refund settlements. Ratings are our independent editorial opinion, not user reviews.

Our #1 featured partner

Compare Lear Capital with Newmont Capital Group

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.

Read our Newmont review →See the full ranking

Sources

This content is for general education only and is not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing in precious metals carries risk, including loss of principal. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions.

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