Gold IRA storage fees - Are these reasonable? Just trying to make sure I'm not getting hosed.

Andrew Roberts

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Gold IRA storage fees - Are these reasonable? Just trying to make sure I'm not getting hosed.

andrew_roberts👑Elite (1m-5m)

about 1 month ago

Key Takeaways

•I'm trying to get a read on what other folks are paying for their Gold IRA storage.
•When you're talking about this kind of capital, a small percentage can still be a significant number.
•So I’m checking in to see if my current fees are par for the course.

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Morning folks. I'm trying to get a read on what other folks are paying for their Gold IRA storage. I've got a fairly substantial stack, roughly 3 million split between gold and silver right now, all held in a pretty conservative allocation since I stepped down from the CEO gig last year. I’ve always used Delaware Depository for segregated storage through my custodian, and it’s always felt a bit pricey, but I’ve prioritized security and direct ownership over everything else. When you're talking about this kind of capital, a small percentage can still be a significant number. So I’m checking in to see if my current fees are par for the course.

I'm currently paying around 0.15% per annum for segregated storage on the gold and then 0.25% for the silver (it's mostly those big chunky American Silver Eagles). On top of that, there's always the flat annual admin fee from the IRA custodian itself, which is a predictable $250. This is all for assets held in Delaware, which is convenient enough as I’m primarily in Palm Beach these days, so domestic travel for an audit isn't a problem. This works out to a fair chunk of change yearly, but then again, these aren't your typical investment assets, and I've always been willing to pay for peace of mind, especially with the state of the world economy.

My question is, are these percentages in line with what others are paying, especially for segregated storage at this kind of asset level? I’ve seen some custodians advertise lower percentages, but they often lump it into "commingled" storage, which just doesn't sit right with me. I appreciate knowing my bars are sitting there, individually serialized. What are some of your experiences with different custodians or depositories? Any recommendations for folks who prioritize segregated storage of their physical metals?

On a related note, I was digging around the other day and stumbled across the Learning Center. It’s got a ton of solid info on various aspects of Gold IRAs, including some breakdowns on fees and different storage options. Definitely worth a look if you’re new to this or just want to brush up on the specifics. Anyway, looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

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6 comments

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Best Answer▲ 10 upvotes

jason_morgan💰Established (100-250k)

Hey there! Sounds like you've got a solid plan with that allocation. When it comes to storage fees, it's definitely worth checking if your custodian offers a flat fee structure instead of a percentage, especially with a larger stack like yours. Sometimes a flat annual fee can end up being significantly cheaper than a percentage-based one as your holdings grow.

Comments (6)

margaret_chen🏆Advanced (250-500k)Real Investor•about 1 month ago

Hey, I hear you on the storage fees. I had a similar "aha!" moment a few years back when I first transferred my 401k into a Gold IRA. My previous custodian's fees just felt... a bit much, you know? It’s definitely worth shopping around for sure with that kind of stack. You'd be surprised at the variation out there.

sharon_evans💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor•about 1 month ago

Congrats on the retirement! $3M is a serious stack. When you say "pretty conservative allocation," are you talking mostly bars/coins, or do you have some more unique pieces in there too? That could definitely affect how some places charge for storage.

linda_taylor📊Growing (50-100k)✓ Verified•about 1 month ago

Hey, interesting post. While it's good to be vigilant about fees, I wonder if focusing *too* much on the storage percentage when you've got $3M invested is the most impactful thing. Given your substantial stack, a few basis points here or there on storage might be less of a concern than, say, ensuring your overall allocation still aligns with your current risk tolerance, especially after a big life change like stepping down from a CEO role. Just a thought!

jason_morgan💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor✓ Verified•about 1 month ago

paul_hill🏆Advanced (250-500k)Real Investor✓ Verified•about 1 month ago

Hey, totally feel you on wanting to double-check those fees. It's a significant chunk of change, so making sure you're not getting hosed is smart. Your 3 mil is a big number, so even small percentages add up.

I'm not quite at your level, but I've got a decent 7-figure amount in my Gold IRA (mostly gold, some platinum). My storage fees are around 0.15% per year for segregated storage. I also pay a flat annual custodian fee of $250. This is with a well-known custodian that's been around forever. Hope that helps give you another data point!

james_wilson👑Elite (1m-5m)Real Investor✓ Verified•about 1 month ago

That's always the million-dollar question, isn't it? I saw a similar thread on another forum recently and someone posted a link to Precious Metals Comparison that breaks down storage costs from a bunch of providers. It's not perfect but it gave me a decent ballpark when I was shopping around for my second vault in Delaware. My main custodian in NYC charges a flat fee, which I prefer over a percentage, especially with gold's recent run.

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