Rolled over 401k to Gold IRA - now debating silver vs. gold split

Gary Stewart

Back to forum

🔄 Rollover

Rolled over 401k to Gold IRA - now debating silver vs. gold split

gary_stewart📊Growing (50-100k)

about 11 hours ago

Key Takeaways

•So, I finally pulled the trigger and moved a good chunk of my old 401k – about $75k of it – into a Gold IRA a few months back.
•Felt like the right move, especially with all the uncertainty in the market.
•Being in agriculture out here in Fresno, I’ve always been a believer in tangible assets, stuff you can actually hold.

Download the free rollover checklist

So, I finally pulled the trigger and moved a good chunk of my old 401k – about $75k of it – into a Gold IRA a few months back. Felt like the right move, especially with all the uncertainty in the market. Being in agriculture out here in Fresno, I’ve always been a believer in tangible assets, stuff you can actually hold. Stocks and bonds just feel too abstract sometimes, ya know?

Right now, it's pretty much 100% gold, mostly American Gold Eagles and some Canadian Maples. My original thinking was just to keep it simple and stick with gold, the ultimate safe haven. But lately, I've been reading more about silver and its potential, especially with industrial demand alongside its role as a monetary metal. It got me thinking if I should be allocating some of that 75k into silver as well. I'm not looking for crazy speculative plays, but a bit more diversification within the precious metals space seems smart.

My concern is the volatility of silver compared to gold. I'm 58, so I'm not trying to take huge risks. Is adding something like 10-15% silver to my existing Gold IRA a reasonable idea? I'm curious if anyone here with a similar sized portfolio – maybe in the $50k-$100k range – has gone this route and what their experience has been. Did you see a noticeable difference in performance? Any particular silver products you'd recommend for an IRA?

Oh, and on a related note, for anyone still thinking about a Gold IRA, I found this Eligibility Checker tool really helpful when I was first looking into this process. It helps you figure out if you even qualify, which is a good first step before diving into all the details like silver vs. gold.

5 comments

The biggest mistake retirees make with their 401(k)

Most people don't diversify until after a crash. Get the free guide and protect your nest egg.

Under $100k? Compare options →

28 people viewed this today3 members requested a free kit this week4 investors bookmarked this

Best Answer▲ 10 upvotes

ashley_baker💼Starter (0-50k)

Glad to hear it! I did something similar last year with a five-figure chunk of an old 401k. For the gold/silver split, I ended up going with about 70% gold and 30% silver. That felt like a good balance for me personally. What are you leaning towards?

Comments (5)

gary_stewart📊Growing (50-100k)•less than a minute ago

Hey, totally get where you're coming from! I did a rollover a while back too, though a smaller amount, and had the exact same dilemma. Initially went 100% gold, but then started eyeing up silver thinking maybe I missed out on some upside. Ended up doing a small rebalance to include some silver just to scratch that itch. It's a tough call!

sharon_evans💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor•less than a minute ago

Hey, congrats on getting that 401k rolled over! That's a solid move. When you say you're "in agriculture," does that influence your thinking on the silver vs. gold split at all? Like, are you seeing specific trends or demands in that sector that might favor one over the other for a hedge?

maria_campbell📊Growing (50-100k)✓ Verified•less than a minute ago

Hey, congrats on making the move! It's definitely a smart play to diversify with precious metals given the current climate.

While I totally get the appeal of silver for its industrial uses and lower price point, don't forget that gold has historically been the ultimate safe haven and store of value during times of crisis. You might even consider a higher gold allocation than you're currently thinking, especially if this is primarily for wealth preservation. Just something to chew on!

elizabeth_johnson💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor✓ Verified•less than a minute ago

Congrats on making the move! It's a big step. When you're thinking about that gold/silver split, a good thing to remember is that silver can be a bit more volatile but has higher industrial demand. Gold is more of a traditional store of value. This Forbes article breaks down some of the pros and cons of each, which might help you decide what feels right for your portfolio goals.