Gold IRA Rollover Guide

Deadline-first guides · Data checked October 2026

Move retirement funds to gold, without the 60-day trap

Every rollover path explained from the plan documents up: direct vs indirect, forms per plan type, real timelines, penalties that only trigger when a step is skipped — sourced to the IRS, not to a sales script.

Start with Rollover 101 → Compare Gold IRA Rollover Companies
5 plan types covered — IRA, 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), TSP 7 guides scheduled, 7 published 60-day rule explained — and how to avoid it 0 paid placements

Guides by plan type

Pick your starting plan

Each guide covers the forms, deadlines and traps specific to that plan:

Gold IRA Rollover 101

The complete process: direct vs indirect, the 60-day rule, timelines.

GuideIn progress 401(k) to Gold IRA

Active vs old plans, the 20% withholding trap, employer match.

GuideIn progress TSP to Gold IRA

Federal employees and military: forms TSP-70/77, in-service rules.

GuideIn progress 403(b) to Gold IRA

Teachers and nonprofits: annuity contracts and surrender fees.

GuideIn progress 457(b) to Gold IRA

Public employees: the plan with no 10% early-withdrawal penalty.

GuideIn progress Rollover Companies

Who actually handles rollovers well — scored and compared.

GuideIn progress

No paid placements

Five criteria. Fixed weights. Published sources.

Most "best gold IRA" lists are ranked by commission size. We rank rollover companies on what actually goes wrong in a transfer: does the company handle your plan type, publish its fees, move funds on a realistic timeline, and use an approved depository. The weights are public before the rankings are — and complaint patterns cap scores, whatever the stars say.

What every score is made of
CriterionWeightWhat we measure
Rollover Expertise & Support25%Handles 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) and TSP transfers; dedicated specialists; direct-rollover-first process that avoids the 60-day trap.
Fee Transparency25%Published setup, admin and storage pricing; no surprise spreads; written fee schedules before you fund.
Transfer Speed & Process15%Realistic timelines for each step, wire vs check handling, how often transfers stall and why.
Custodian & Depository Network15%Choice of IRS-approved depositories, segregated storage availability, insurance coverage.
Customer Feedback & Ratings20%Volume and shape of BBB, Trustpilot and ConsumerAffairs records: complaint themes, resolution behavior.

Read the full methodology →

Straight answers

Rollover questions, answered without a sales pitch

What is a gold IRA rollover?
Moving money from an existing retirement account — a 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), TSP or IRA — into a self-directed IRA that holds physical gold. Done as a direct transfer, it is tax-free and penalty-free. The 60-day indirect route is where people get hurt; our starting guide shows both paths step by step.
What is the difference between a rollover and a transfer?
A transfer moves funds custodian-to-custodian, never touching your hands, with no annual limit. A rollover (indirect) pays the money to you first — you have 60 days to redeposit it, and you can only do one per 12 months. Most "rollover" problems are really indirect-rollover problems.
Can I roll over an active 401(k)?
Usually not while you still work there, unless the plan allows an in-service rollover — check the summary plan description. After you leave the job, at age 59½, or under the Rule of 55 in some cases, the money is yours to move without penalty.
How long does a gold IRA rollover take?
Typically two to six weeks end to end: account setup (1–3 days), the transfer itself (2–6 weeks depending on the sending plan and whether wires or checks are involved), then the metal purchase and depository deposit. Timelines per step are in our rollover guide.
How are companies rated here?
On five weighted criteria — rollover expertise (25%), fee transparency (25%), transfer speed (15%), custodian and depository network (15%), customer feedback (20%). The full rules and sources are on the methodology page.
How current is the information on this site?
Facts were checked October 2026 against IRS publications and plan documents. Guides ship in waves through 2026 — 7 published so far. IRS thresholds change; confirm current numbers before you act.

The desk

Who is behind this

Compare companies →