Gold IRA storage fees - what's normal?

Maria Campbell

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Gold IRA storage fees - what's normal?

maria_campbell📊Growing (50-100k)

about 1 hour ago

Key Takeaways

•Okay, so I've been a bit preoccupied with everything going on here in Boise, but I finally sat down to really dig into my Gold IRA statement.
•I hold about $75k in American Eagles and some Canadian Maples, all within my IRA, and I'm staring at these storage fees.
•My custodian charges a flat annual fee of $250.

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Okay, so I've been a bit preoccupied with everything going on here in Boise, but I finally sat down to really dig into my Gold IRA statement. I hold about $75k in American Eagles and some Canadian Maples, all within my IRA, and I'm staring at these storage fees. I know it's a necessary evil when you can't exactly keep the stuff in your spare bedroom, but I'm wondering if what I'm paying is normal, or if I should be doing some more shopping around.

My custodian charges a flat annual fee of $250. It doesn't seem like much on its own, but then I look at it as a percentage of my portfolio, and it feels a little… elevated. I mean, for a $75k portfolio, that's roughly 0.33%. I'm a small-town mayor, and every penny counts, especially when I'm trying to ensure a secure future for my family and also continue contributing to our local community efforts. I chose this company because they had a good reputation for security and service, but maybe that comes at a premium?

I've seen some places advertise tiered pricing or even a percentage of assets under management. What are other folks on here paying for their physical gold storage within an IRA? Are there any hidden fees I should be looking out for? I want to make sure I'm not getting hosed, but I also don't want to compromise on the security of my assets. Any advice from long-time investors here would be greatly appreciated!

3 comments

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Best Answer▲ 8 upvotes

ronald_morris👑Elite (1m-5m)

Hey, quick question about your statement. Are your fees a flat annual rate or a percentage of your total holdings? That makes a pretty big difference in what "normal" might look like, especially with $75k in there.

Comments (3)

matthew_murphy👑Elite (1m-5m)Real Investor•less than a minute ago

Yeah, storage fees can definitely be a head-scratcher. I had a similar moment last year when my statement came in. My first Gold IRA was with a company that charged a flat annual fee, which was fine when my holdings were smaller, but as it grew, it started feeling a bit steep compared to what I was seeing from other providers. Ended up switching to one that charges a percentage, and for my current holdings, it's actually saving me a good chunk. Worth doing some comparison shopping if you haven't already!

ronald_morris👑Elite (1m-5m)Real Investor•less than a minute ago

paul_hill🏆Advanced (250-500k)Real Investor✓ Verified•less than a minute ago

Honestly, $150-$200 for a segregated vault seems pretty standard, especially for a reputable outfit. I've seen some places charge more for less secure options, so it really depends on the provider and the level of service/insurance you're getting.

That said, if you're feeling those fees, have you considered a different type of precious metal? Silver, for example, often has lower storage costs due to its higher volume-to-value ratio. Might be worth looking into for future purchases if the fees are a real sticking point for you.

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