Best Silver IRA Companies In 2023: Pricing, Benefits, & How It Works

Disclaimer: The owners of this website may be paid to recommend Goldco or other companies. The content of this website, including any positive reviews of Goldco & other reviews, may not be neutral or independent. We may receive a commission from the companies we recommend. The content of this site is informational in nature and should not be relied upon without consulting an investment professional.

Last Updated: July 7, 2024

Is retirement calling your name? Do you want to spend your days sitting on the beach or worrying about how you will pay bills? We all need to think about saving for retirement.

Everyone these days seems to be concerned about the economy. With talks of Social Security running dry, people have reason to worry. Those with 401Ks are losing money, and traditional stock investments can rise and fall.

You need a solid investment portfolio strategy to prepare for the future. You could be missing out if you've not included silver in your investment strategy.

How diverse is your investment portfolio? Have you put your investment funds into a couple of commodities, or do you have it spread out? Precious metals hedge against inflation and are ideal if you want to increase your retirement accounts.

We want you to understand the viable investment options available. We have made this silver IRA guide to help our readers learn about silver investing and all its details. An educated mind cannot be held back by ignorance.

What Services Do Silver IRA Companies Offer?

Precious metals IRA companies help customers invest in gold and silver IRAs. Some companies provide custodianship services, while others partner with these services and depositories.

Whether you have existing individual retirement accounts or need to open one, these professionals will help you through the process and assist you in buying physical precious metals. You can also purchase gold and silver for your private collection, but you will miss out on the tax advantages from the IRS.

Understanding Silver IRAs: How Do They Work?

Are you wondering how a silver IRA works? You may see these IRAs called silver, precious metal, or a self-directed IRA. They all work the same way. The self-direction aspect allows the account holder more saying power over their investments.

Silver IRAs allow you to invest in precious metals if you meet the IRS requirements. Precious metal IRAs give you the power to diversify your investments and hedge against losses because of inflation.

Should You Invest in a Silver IRA?

People invest in silver IRAs for many reasons. What will be yours? Many people seek gold and silver investments because they often retain their value during economic insecurity. Many investors realize diversification is imperative. If your entire investment is tied up in the stock market, you could lose it all in a catastrophic economic event.

Taking advantage of the above benefits is simple with a precious metals IRA. To get started investing in precious metals, you only need to find the best silver IRA companies to guide you in the process. Keep reading below to see a list of our top picks.

Top 3 Gold & Silver Companies in 2024

Best Overall
9.7

Bar Code Score Card ™

5/5
Goldco
Excellent customer service from precious metals experts.
Best For Service
9.4

Bar Code Score Card ™

5/5
American Hartford Gold
5 Star customer service, easy to work with, and a low price guarantee.
Best For Education
8.9

Bar Code Score Card ™

4.5/5
Augusta Precious Metals
Earned best overall gold IRA company of 2022 by Investopedia's most transparent.


Are Gold and Silver Considered Currency?

Although gold and silver remain stable, their prices, like paper assets, can fluctuate. The United States does not use pure silver and gold coins for currency anymore, and our money is no longer gold-backed.

People consider gold and silver as other currencies. During economic crises, you can use these physical precious metals to pay for goods and services in just about any country. Gold is often sought over paper assets.

The Many Advantages of Collecting Silver Coins

Have you always dreamed of amassing a collection of silver coins? Silver is a valuable precious metal and receives global recognition as a top investment.

Many people start investing in silver coins because they are more affordable than other precious metals. Investing in these tangible assets offers many benefits, including those listed below:

Does investing in silver seem more attractive now? If you are interested in investing in silver Canadian Maple Leaf coins, finding the right company to help is critical. Learn about the best companies in the precious metals industry by continuing to read to the end.

Global Silver Demand Rises

Silver demand remains high, no matter the economy. Although some industries use gold in manufacturing, it is not as widely used as silver. Silver, unlike gold, has conductive components that make it more in demand. You should include silver in your precious metal assets.

Because silver is lower in value than gold, many mistakenly believe it is less in demand. Rising global demand ensures silver will be a top commodity for many years.

Interesting Facts About Silver

We have already mentioned silver's conductivity, but there is much more to this precious metal than meets the eye. After reading these facts, you may want to contact a silver IRA company to get started. Make sure you choose the best.

Did you know car manufacturers use more than 36 million pounds of silver in their automobile production factories annually? Manufacturers use silver membrane switches for controlling many functions in vehicles.

Silver components are found in all types of electronics. You would be hard-pressed to find one without this precious metal. As the electronic industry continues to expand, we can expect the demand for silver to rise exponentially.

Many industries use silver for soldering and brazing, two essential processes in manufacturing products. Gold and silver products almost always require some degree of soldering or brazing.

Photovoltaic cells are the main component of solar panel technology. Without the addition of silver powder, the photovoltaic cells could not harness the sun's power.

Silver fights germs and is in many medications and herbal remedies. Silver treats infections and non-infectious conditions in the human body. Silver has also played an integral role in the development of radiological technology.

Many people are surprised to learn silver is a component in many water filtration systems. Silver prevents algae and bacteria growth.

Around 17.3% of the world's silver demand goes to jewelry making, which is about 181.4 million ounces a year. Gold and silver are both used in large amounts in the jewelry industry.

Although today's flatware is made of stainless steel, silverware is made of sterling silver and is often passed down from generation to generation. Although flatware may be called silverware, this does not mean it is made from sterling silver.

How Can You Invest in Silver?

You have many options if you're interested in investing in physical precious metals like silver. People who want to diversify their assets should consider silver coinage, silver bullion, and other precious metals. If you're new to investing in silver, read the options below to get started.

You can purchase precious metal coins for your personal collection or through precious metals IRAs. The IRS allows IRA account holders to invest in silver coins and gold coins as long as they meet the purity guidelines and are stored in an approved depository. Silver coins minted before 1964 are about 90% silver, making them an ideal option for your collection of silver bullion. Your best choice for purchasing silver coins is through a reputable gold IRA company. You can also find coins through auctions, estate sales, and pawnshops, though you should research carefully to know what you are buying.

If you're interested in further diversifying your investment, silver futures is an excellent option. You do not have to purchase physical silver bullion to invest in this precious metal.

When investing in silver futures, you are wagering on the rise or fall of the market. We warn you silver futures are much more volatile than many paper assets, so proceed carefully.

Silver and gold IRAs allow you to invest in silver mining stocks. If you plan to invest in silver mining stocks, research the mining companies extensively. As with any company stock, if the mining company begins to fall, you could lose your investment.

Many people diversify their precious metals investments with silver mining stocks. Mining stocks should be a small percentage of your investment.

Silver exchange-traded funds are less risky than silver futures. You can sell your silver exchange-traded funds any time the market is open for trade. Since silver ETFs are very liquid, you can sell and gain a profit if the market is right.

Mutual funds pool the money of many investors, allowing them to purchase silver securities. There is less risk with investing in mutual funds because you are putting in less capital than you would while investing alone.

Steps for Opening a Precious Metals IRA

Opening a silver and gold IRA is easy. You have options like a Roth IRA or other self-directed individual retirement accounts. Working with a gold investment company will help you through the steps without stress.

Converting an existing IRA to a self-directed IRA can take a few business days. The custodian of your existing account will handle this process. A precious metals dealer will work directly with your custodian to ensure the safe transfer when you purchase precious metals.

Perform the following steps to invest in a silver IRA:

It truly is that simple. There is no complicated process because you work with professional custodians, dealers, and depositories. You can purchase gold, silver, platinum, and palladium with self-directed IRAs.

How Do You Take Distributions From Gold IRA Accounts?

You have two main options when it comes time to take a distribution from your gold and silver IRA. No matter your choice, you will need to contact your custodian to handle the transaction.

Once you take a distribution, you can have the gold and silver shipped directly to your door. Once received, you can store it at home, at a secure bank, pass it on to your heirs, or sell it.

You also have the option of a depository purchase. If you don't want to take physical possession of your precious metal investments, the depository and sometimes the gold dealer will purchase them from you at the retail value of your gold bars and other pieces.

Remember, when you withdraw your precious metal investments, they may be subject to taxes, and you may owe fees if you withdraw early. After the age of 72, the IRS forces gold and silver IRA account holders to start taking distributions. These are called required minimum distributions (RMDs).

What are the Best Precious Metals IRA Companies?

Now that you know more about purchasing precious metals, you need to discover more about the best gold IRA companies. Not all companies are created equal in the precious metals market. Some companies start off with good intentions and end up scamming their customers or using underhanded means of operating their businesses.

We have studied every silver IRA company we can find and have seen a lot of good and bad in the industry. You need to find a gold group that has been in business for years and brings trusted transparency to the table.

American Hartford Gold has been in business since 2015 and has quickly become one of the most trusted names among gold IRA providers. Sanford Mann is the company head, leading American Hartford Gold to the top in the few years they've been in operation.

You won't find many gold and silver bullion companies with a solid reputation like American Hartford Gold. Check them out on the Better Business Bureau, and you will find they have an A+ rating. The company also has a 100% customer service response rating on the BBB, proving they care about keeping customers satisfied.

They have earned an AA rating on Business Consumer Alliance. American Hartford Gold is endorsed by well-respected names like Rick Harrison, Bill O'Reilly, and Lou Dobbs.

American Hartford Gold was named the #1 Gold Company in 2021 by Inc. 5000. One of the things we really admire about this company is its solid price match guarantee. You will not find many gold IRA companies that offer such a guarantee.

This gold IRA company also offers a generous buyback program for its customers. Once you decide to take a distribution from your gold IRA account, American Hartford Gold promises to offer you the best price on your physical gold and silver.

  • AHG offers a free consultation with a precious metals specialist.
  • The company has thousands of satisfied customers.
  • The company is family-owned and operated.
  • They guarantee the best prices and will match or beat competitors.
  • The company does not provide pricing for its gold bullion on the website. You will have to call and talk with a specialist to get these prices. (This is not abnormal among precious metal IRA companies. Some are more transparent than others regarding their gold bullion prices.)
  • If you don't live in the United States, AHG will not ship to you. They only ship within the US.

Goldco

Goldco was opened in 2006 by Trevor Gerszt. Under his expert direction, Goldco has risen to new heights and become tops for customer service ratings. On Business Consumer Alliance, Goldco has earned an AAA. They have an A+ on the Better Business Bureau.

Goldco is headquartered in Woodland Hills, California. They help customers with their existing IRAs or with a gold IRA rollover. They will work with your custodian as a precious metals broker and ship your physical gold to your chosen depository. Like most gold IRA companies, Goldco partners with IRS-approved depositories.

Goldco has won many awards, including being named one of Inc 5000's Fastest-Growing Companies. You will find well-respected people endorse Goldco, including Stew Peters, Ben Stein, and Chuck Norris.

Goldco was listed in the Los Angeles Business Journal's list of the Top 25 Fastest-Growing Companies in LA. If you want to purchase physical gold, you will find Goldco very helpful for your investment pursuits.

Benefits of Working with Goldco

Disadvantages of Working with Goldco

Augusta Precious Metals

Augusta Precious Metals opened for business in 2012, with its headquarters in Casper, Wyoming. Headed by Isaac Nuriani, the company offers one of the most straightforward processes in the industry.

Many people like working with Augusta Precious Metals because they handle around 95% of all the paperwork, helping their customers easily get through the process. When you read customer reviews, you will find this is often repeated.

Augusta Precious Metals has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau. They scored an AAA on the Consumer Business Alliance.

Augusta Precious Metals partners with the best IRA custodians, including Equity Trust, Goldstar Trust, and Kingdom Trust.

Benefits of Working with Augusta Precious Metals

Disadvantages of Working with Augusta Precious Metals

Birch Gold Group

When people choose Birch Gold Group, it's often because they do not like the high-pressure sales tactics used by many precious metals IRA companies. Birch believes in taking a low-pressure approach and allowing its customers to decide on purchasing precious metals.

Birch Gold Group opened in 2003. Laith Alsarraf heads the company and is the founder. They can help you open a new precious metals IRA. They offer a wide array of precious metals for IRA investments or your personal collection.

Qualified purchases from Birch Gold Group can result in up to $10,000 in free precious metal coins or bullion. The company consistently offers incentives to its loyal customers, helping them invest their money wisely in precious metals.

Benefits of Working with Birch Gold Group

You Have Options for Precious Metals IRA Accounts

IRA stands for an individual retirement account. There are two main types available.

When you contribute to a Roth IRA, you pay taxes on each amount. When taking a distribution from your retirement account, you will not owe any taxes.

When you contribute to a traditional IRA, you will not owe taxes. When you withdraw from your retirement account after retirement, you will owe taxes at that time.

  • The company does not provide pricing for its gold bullion on the website. You will have to call and talk with a specialist to get these prices. (This is not abnormal among precious metal IRA companies. Some are more transparent than others regarding their gold bullion prices.)
  • If you don't live in the United States, AHG will not ship to you. They only ship within the US.

Should You Rollover?

You will hear the term rollover at some point in your investing journey. A rollover happens when you withdraw all or a portion of the funds in your existing account and deposit them into another eligible retirement account. You never touch the funds because they are transferred from one account to another.

If account holders do not deposit their funds into the new account within 60 days, it will be considered a distribution, and the IRS will tax you accordingly.

Consider the benefits of rolling over your account:

What to Consider When Choosing Silver IRA Companies

Choosing the best precious metals IRA company is essential if you want to invest in a precious metal IRA. We have put together this guide to help you find the perfect gold IRA company to help you purchase gold and silver coins.

Before purchasing gold and silver coins from any dealer or broker, you must know how long they've been in business. An IRA company should have at least five years of experience. Less experience means the company may lack the expertise to help you purchase platinum coins and other investments.

You must read customer reviews before deciding on any precious metals IRA companies. See what customers have to say about the services. Are there a lot of complaints? Overall, are the customers happy with the services they received? If there are many negative reviews, take your precious metals IRAs elsewhere for better service.

You need to choose a company that can educate you about precious metals IRAs. Survey the website. Check out the available educational materials. If they are lacking, you should consider getting knowledge from another source that wants to help you with your traditional IRA.

This can be tough because many companies are not transparent about the cost of silver bullion coins. It's not that they are hiding information, but they want you to call so they can explain the prices. For some, this is a problem. If you want to know the prices upfront, choose a company that clearly lists them on its website.

You need to know what services the company offers. Do they partner with gold custodians and depositories or provide these services themselves? Do they handle the paperwork for your self-directed IRAs? The more you know about the services offered for your retirement savings account, the better.

What Coins Can You Buy in a Silver IRA?

You've got plenty of options for buying silver for your IRA. We've listed some of the top silver options below:

According to the IRS rules, all of the above are options for the best precious metals IRA. All gold bars, coins, and rounds must be 99.5% pure. Silver must be 99.9% pure, and platinum and palladium must be 99.95% pure.

What Fees Will You Owe for a Silver IRA?

The costs of opening a silver IRA vary. You can expect to pay for the following when opening a precious metal IRA:

When Can You Withdraw From Your IRA?

According to IRS rules, you cannot withdraw from your retirement savings without penalty until after the age of 59 1/2. You can take possession of your silver or palladium coins, or you can choose to withdraw the cash value.

Taking distributions before the age of 59 1/2 will result in tax penalties, except in very specific situations, such as after the loss of a job. The IRS could include the distribution as a part of your gross income, and you could face an additional 10% tax penalty.

Required Minimum Distributions: What Are They?

Although you can begin withdrawing after the age of 59 1/2, the IRS will not require you to take a distribution until after the age of 70 1/2. An RMD is a required minimum distribution. If you fail to withdraw as required, you will incur a 50% excise tax for the remaining balance.

How Does the IRS calculate the RMD?

The IRS calculates your RMD amount based on the previous year's account balance and the uniform lifetime table (ULT). Because these amounts vary yearly, your RMD will likely change annually. The IRS requires individuals to complete RMDs by December 31st each year.

What Does Stock Market Correction Mean?

As you begin investing with companies like Goldco Precious Metals, you will find a lot of terms that may confuse you at first. One of these terms is a stock market correction. What is it?

Stock market corrections mean the stock market drops up to 10% but not more than 20%. It is called a correction because it rapidly changes the trajectory of falling prices for commodities like bullion coins. In other words, stock market corrections stop the price freefall and balance prices.

FAQ

Now that you are interested in investing with companies like American Hartford Gold and Goldco Precious Metals, you may have questions. We are here to help you get answers.

You can hold silver in an IRA but must follow the IRS rules. The silver's purity must be 99.9%. You must also purchase silver made by a government or accredited mint or manufacturer.

Silver is an excellent investment option that offers tax benefits just like gold. Add silver to your retirement savings, and diversify your investment.

To invest in a silver IRA, you can roll over from your existing account or create a new one. The right gold custodian will help you through every step in the process. Many people prefer to roll over because there is no chance of them incurring tax penalties.

Investing in a precious metals IRA is a good idea because it offers tax benefits for your retirement savings. To get started, you must research precious metals IRA companies and select the best one for your needs.

You need to invest in precious metals to diversify your portfolio. Precious metals like a silver hedge against inflation and protect against deflation risks. Silver and gold tend to retain their value, even during times of economic downturn.

A silver IRA is a good investment because it allows you to diversify your portfolio and receive tax advantages. Silver is ideal for a bull market and can even grow in value during a bear market.

Silver IRAs Unlock Your Investment Potential

We hope this guide has helped you understand your options for investing in silver. We are all concerned about the future. With inflation increasing, how are your retirement accounts looking?

Precious metal investments put you in control of the future. Protect against inflation and deflation with a silver investment. Contact the silver IRA company above to get started. Having an expert hand to guide you makes investing in silver more pleasurable and less stressful.

Top Rated Gold & Silver Companies in 2024
Best Overall
9.7

Bar Code Score Card ™

5/5
Goldco
Excellent customer service from precious metals experts.
Best For Service
9.4

Bar Code Score Card ™

5/5
American Hartford Gold
5 Star customer service, easy to work with, and a low price guarantee.
Best For Education
8.9

Bar Code Score Card ™

4.5/5
Augusta Precious Metals
Earned best overall gold IRA company of 2022 by Investopedia's most transparent.
4
7.9

Bar Code Score Card ™

4/5
Birch Gold
High level of customer service and a solid reputation
5
7.0

Bar Code Score Card ™

4/5
Noble Gold
High level of customer service and a solid reputation