Goldco Review: Pros, Cons, and Is It Right for Your Retirement?

JUMP TO Section Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
  • Goldco Review
  • How to Open an Account
  • Goldco Offerings
  • FAQs
  • Compare Goldco
  • Why You Should Trust Us
  • Redeem now

    Our experts answer readers' investing questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess investing products). Paid non-client promotion: In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners. Our opinions are always our own.

    Goldco has many of the standard benefits common to other precious metals retailers in this space but with a much higher price tag in the form of higher minimum investment amounts. If you plan to invest $25,000 or more, Goldco's promotional and bonus offers can make it an attractive investment option and one of the best gold IRAs. However, for smaller investments, you'll be better off considering alternatives.

    Goldco Start investing On Goldco's website Goldco Goldco Insider’s Rating A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.36/5 Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection. Perks

    Goldco offers multiple options for doing so including rollovers for 403(b)s, thrift savings plans, savings accounts, and IRAs

    Account Minimum

    $25,000

    Fees

    Call company representative for more information

    Pros
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Gold and silver IRAs
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Supports rollovers for 403(b)s, thrift savings plans, savings accounts, and IRAs
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can request to have gold directly delivered to you
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can either receive distributions as physical gold, or have Goldco convert the gold into cash for you
    Cons
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $25,000 minimum to purchase gold
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No mobile app
    Insider’s Take

    Goldco is the best overall gold IRA. It offers gold self-directed IRAs, as well as silver IRAs.

    Show Pros, Cons, and More chevron down icon An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down.

    Is Goldco Trustworthy?

    Goldco's 17 years of experience has resulted in credentials that include a Trustpilot score of 4.8, and an A+ rating from the BBB. Goldco has a history of providing support and guidance to investors in the precious metals market based on its customer reviews.

    Goldco Review

    Goldco is best for those looking to invest larger sums of money into precious metals. For those who can meet the higher requirements, you could enjoy a fairly lucrative bonus in silver, which is not an offer many competitors have.

    From Goldco's endorsement and media appearance, you will notice a more overt bias to its marketing resources than what you'll find from others in the industry. Be aware that using non-neutral sources of investment information to make financial decisions could impact how view the economy and allocate your assets, thus affecting your returns.

    That said, the company does stand out for offering a free educational gold IRA kit that can help you learn more about this type of investment.

    Goldco Pros and Cons

    ProsCons
    • Buyback guarantee

    • Bonus offer for free silver if minimums are met

    • No option for a free storage waiver
    • Only coins are offered on the site. Other options are available but more difficult to access without calling a representative
    • High minimum for IRAs

    Goldco IRA Fees

    It is common for precious metal companies to charge several fees associated with opening an account and transactions. Fees are not listed on Goldco's site, and you will need to call a Goldco representative to get an idea of all the costs and promotions.

    As of January 2024, Goldco charges a one-time set-up fee of $50 and between $200 and $250 per year for the custodian fee, which covers storage and insurance. The variance for the custodian fee depends on which third-party custodian you choose. Goldco is unique because it offers multiple options for investors to select which custodian fits their needs.

    For an IRA, the minimum deposit is $25,000, and if you want to buy gold or silver directly, the minimum is around $15,000. Lastly, Goldco does charge a commission, also known as a spread, on purchases. 

    How to Open an Account with Goldco

    There are three steps to opening an account with Goldco; the first is completing the IRA account agreement. Next, your account must be funded, which can be done by writing a check. However, using an existing retirement account to roll over is encouraged and typically does not result in a taxable event. Lastly, you will need to purchase your metals. The entire process takes between five to 10 business days.

    Goldco's Bonus Offer

    Most companies in this sector will offer new customers discounts and benefits if you can meet a certain deposit level. Goldco pays its customers in silver. For an IRA, investors can earn silver with a deposit of $50,000 and up. The bonus begins at $2,500 and scales to $50,000 in silver if you deposit $500,000.

    If you make a cash purchase of $15,000, you will get $750 in bonus silver, which increases to a $50,000 maximum bonus. 

    Goldco Offerings

    Goldco provides a few options for investors looking to add gold or other metals to their portfolio. Its main offerings include the Precious Metals IRA and a selection of gold and silver coins.

    Precious Metals IRA

    A Precious Metals IRA with Goldco allows you to trade gold and other precious metals while benefiting from the same tax advantages of a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA, depending on which type of IRA you open with Goldco.

    Once you have opened an account, you will have the option to fund the account with cash to buy the metals, or you can roll over your money from another investing account such as a 401(k), 403(b), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), or IRA. Any item you purchase will be kept in a secure facility with a third-party custodian.

    Buying Physical Gold

    Goldco allows customers to buy and sell gold that can be shipped and held directly at their homes. The Goldco website features dozens of gold and silver coins. Still, its selection does appear smaller and less diverse than other comparable companies that offer gold and silver bullion, bars, and other metals such as platinum.

    Goldco IRA Review FAQs

    Is Goldco a legit company? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    Yes. Goldco has several independent reviews and has been highly ranked by a number of publications and services. 

    What does Goldco do? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    Goldco is a precious metals company that specializes in helping investors protect their retirement savings through investing in gold, silver, and other precious metals. It profits primarily by charging commissions when investors buy from its inventory.

    What are the fees associated with opening an account with Goldco? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    Goldco charges a one-time set-up fee of $50.

    What is the minimum investment in Goldco? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    For physical delivery, the minimum Gold investment is about $15,000, but according to representatives, this number can be flexible. For IRAs, the minimum is $25,000.

    How long has Goldco been in business? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    Goldco was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

    Compare Goldco

    Goldco is a reputable company in the precious metals industry. However, it is always wise to compare different companies before deciding on which one to invest in.

    Goldco vs. American Hartford Gold

    American Hartford Gold shares many similarities to Goldco, even down to its marketing tactics. Both sites prominently feature celebrity endorsements, free downloadable guides in exchange for your contact information, and customer reviews. The two companies even tout their respective status on the Inc. 5000 list.

    The primary difference that investors will see is in the fees and minimums. AHG charges a one-time $230 application fee with a $5,000 minimum to receive physical gold and $10,000 to start an IRA, compared with just $50 to set up an account with Goldco and minimums beginning in the $15,000 range.

    American Hartford Gold review

    Goldco vs. Birch Gold Group

    Birch Gold Group is a California-based precious metal retailer that, like Goldco, offers retirement accounts and physical delivery of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and more.

    When comparing both sites, Birch presents more diverse products to customers, like bars, coins, and rounds. Goldco's website primarily offers coins, but when speaking with representatives, there is a broader array of options. In terms of fees, both companies are roughly equivalent.

    Goldco vs. Public.com

    Public is an investing app that offers ETFs, stocks, treasuries, and alternative investments. It includes a social media perspective, allowing investors to "follow" the portfolio of others and post about their investments.  There are no minimums or commission fees to invest in stocks or ETFs, but unlike with Goldco precious metals are not an area that investors can currently participate in through the app.

    Public.com investing review

    Alternatives to a Gold IRA

    Those seeking to add diversification to their portfolio for retirement may be interested in gold IRAs and precious metal investing. Alternative investments may help with diversification, but consider balancing these with more traditional options like a 401k(k) or to supplement a traditional IRA.

    Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Goldco

    We evaluated Goldco using Insider's methodology for rating investing platforms. We examined fees, account options, customer service experience, and investment selection and rated them on a scale of 0 to 5. Some investing platforms are better suited for more advanced investors, while others cater to newcomers. Goldco was examined with a focus on how it performed in each category. 

    Kevin L. Matthews II is a No. 1 bestselling author and former financial advisor. He has helped hundreds of individuals plan for their retirement in addition to managing more than $140 million in assets during his advisory career. In 2017, he was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Financial Advisors by Investopedia. Kevin holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Hampton University and a certificate in financial planning from Northwestern University. In 2020, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Master's in Technology Commercialization (MSTC). Read more Read less Jr Compliance Associate Elias Shaya is a junior compliance associate on the Personal Finance Insider team based in New York City. Personal Finance Insider is Insider's personal finance section that incorporates affiliate and commerce partnerships into the news, insights, and advice about money that readers already know and love. The compliance team's mission is to provide readers with stories that are fact-checked and current, so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by making sure language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team. Elias is the point person for the loans sub-vertical and works with the editorial team to ensure that all rates and information for personal and student loans are up to date and accurate. He joined Insider in February 2022 as a fellow on the compliance team. Elias has a Bachelor of Science in International Business from the CUNY College of Staten Island. Prior to joining Insider, he volunteered at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he worked with the biomedical engineering department. In his spare time, Elias enjoys exploring new restaurants, traveling to visit his family in Lebanon, and spending time with friends. Read more Read less Top Offers From Our Partners Betterment Cash Reserve Account New Customer Offer: Earn 5.50% APY when you open your first cash account with $10 deposit. Terms apply. A tooltip *Current promotional rate; annual percentage yield (variable) is 4.75% as of 7/31/23, plus a .75% boost available as a special offer with qualifying deposit. Terms apply; if the base APY increases or decreases, you'll get the .75% boost on the updated rate. Cash Reserve is only available to clients of Betterment LLC, which is not a bank, and cash transfers to program banks are conducted through clients’ brokerage accounts at Betterment Securities. **The national average savings account interest rate is reported by the FDIC (7/17/23) as the average annual percentage yield (APY) for savings accounts with deposits under $100,000. Start Saving

    ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyxsdGspqeZnGKzqrrAp5qeZ5ekuaWvzmapnq6ZmsQ%3D