Rolled over 401k to Gold IRA - my experience (so far)

• •Just wanted to share my recent experience rolling over a portion of my old 401k into a Gold IRA.
• •I’ve been reading up on this for a while, especially given the current economic climate, and finally pulled the trigger about three months ago.
• •My old 401k from a previous job had about $180k sitting in it, and I decided to move roughly $75k into physical gold.

Just wanted to share my recent experience rolling over a portion of my old 401k into a Gold IRA. I’ve been reading up on this for a while, especially given the current economic climate, and finally pulled the trigger about three months ago. As an accountant here in Atlanta, I’m pretty familiar with the tax implications and benefits of a self-directed IRA, so that part wasn’t too intimidating. My old 401k from a previous job had about $180k sitting in it, and I decided to move roughly $75k into physical gold.

The process itself was smoother than I expected. I did a bit of research on different companies and ended up going with one that had pretty consistent positive reviews regarding their customer service. Their rep walked me through the paperwork, explaining everything clearly. The indirect rollover involves getting a check from your old plan administrator and then depositing it into the new Gold IRA custodian within 60 days to avoid a taxable event. I was a bit nervous handling a check for that amount, but I got it done within a week. The custodian then handled the actual purchase of the gold and the allocation to an approved depository.

My main motivation was diversification and hedging against inflation. With all the money printing and geopolitical instability, I just didn’t feel comfortable having all my retirement eggs in the stock market basket. It's obviously not a growth play like some of my other investments, but it provides a sense of security. I sleep a little better knowing a chunk of my retirement is in a tangible asset. Has anyone else done a similar rollover recently? What was your experience like, and what were your primary drivers?

One thing I found interesting was the different types of gold available (coins vs. bars, specific purities, etc.). The company I used had a good selection, and their team helped me understand the pros and cons of each for an IRA. It definitely feels like a good move for me, especially considering I’d been meaning to rebalance my portfolio anyway. Curious to hear if others have had good or bad experiences with their Gold IRAs, or if you regret making the move.