Vanguard Gold IRA Review

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Vanguard Gold IRA Overview

Unfortunately, Vanguard doesn't offer a Gold IRA directly. However, individuals interested in precious metals can invest in the Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund (VGPMX).

Formerly known as the Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Fund, VGPMX is a mutual fund that holds a variety of stocks from gold, silver, and other precious metal companies. The fund invests in U.S.-listed companies engaged in the exploration, development, production, or marketing of metals such as gold and silver.

VGPMX allows investors to access the precious metals sector without purchasing individual stocks, coins, or bars. It provides diversification across different types of companies so investors can benefit from exposure to the entire precious metals industry.

The fund is actively managed with a long-term view and has an expense ratio of 0.05%, meaning it is one of the lowest-cost options in the sector.

Why VPGMX Instead of Gold IRA?

As earlier stated, Vanguard is a private company owned by its funds. They are more interested in providing the safest, low-risk, profitable ventures for their clients than just storing wealth. VPGMX being a mutual fund, has yearly returns in the form of dividends, which precious metals stored in an IRA do not have.

Moreover, investing in VPGMX instead means investors won't have to pay storage fees, custodian fees, or commissions when they purchase gold. This makes VPGMX a viable option with lower upfront costs than buying and storing physical gold in an IRA.

For Those Interested in Gold IRA

There are Vanguard alternatives for individuals that want to save and grow their retirement funds through Gold IRAs. Some reputable companies include:

Gold IRAs

If an investor wants to hold or back up their retirement savings using physical gold or other precious metals, they'll have to create a special separate account known as a Gold IRA. They are self-directed - meaning the investor must make all decisions regarding what assets go into the account.

How Gold IRAs Work

Gold IRAs work pretty much like a standard individual retirement account (IRA), but instead of investing in stocks and bonds, you invest in physical gold or other precious metals. Just like a regular IRA, any earnings on your investments are tax-deferred until you make a withdrawal.

Gold IRAs can also contain gold stocks (the part that Vanguard's VGPMX focuses on), that is, shares of gold mining and production companies, gold ETFs, and gold mutual funds. In other words, instead of holding physical gold

The Gold IRA account is used to purchase and hold the rights of ownership of gold which is owned by a third-party custodian.

How to Invest in a Gold IRA

If an investor wants to store and grow their retirement savings using a precious metal IRA, the first step they'll have to take is to open a self-directed IRA with a financial institution that specializes in providing such accounts.

This financial institution is also responsible for holding the Gold IRA account. Next, they will need to pick a custodian who is legally responsible for holding and protecting the precious metals within their vault or depository.

Once established, investors can start researching what precious metals they want to purchase as well as decide how much money to allocate toward each of them.

The financial institution that they've chosen to work with or their custodian can help them pick out trustworthy and reliable brokers to facilitate the purchasing process.

The next step is to fund the account. They can do this through direct transfer or rollover from their existing retirement account, such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457.

Some people also use cash to fund their Gold IRA; however, the IRA places limits on the amount of money an individual can contribute each year. For instance, if an investor is younger than 50 years old, the annual contribution limit is $6,000. If older than 50 years old, they can fund their account with up to $7,000 per year.

The last step of the process is the actual purchase of precious metals. This is where the broker comes in. Investors must thoroughly vet and research brokers before settling on one, as they will be responsible for purchasing the metals.

The IRA must also make sure that the chosen broker meets their criteria for quality and trustworthiness, e.g., their gold must be at least 99.5% pure and silver at least 99.9% pure.

The Process of Withdrawing From the Gold IRA

If an investor feels like it's time to start reaping the rewards of their Gold IRA, they can initiate a withdrawal. The IRS will tax them at their ordinary income tax rate, just like with the standard traditional retirement accounts.

There are also required minimum distributions (RMDs) that an investor must meet, depending on their age, the value of their account, and life expectancy.

For example, if an investor with a life expectancy of 100 years is 78 years old and has $100,000 in their Gold IRA account, the IRS will only allow them to take $4,545.45 per year. (This value is obtained by subtracting 78 from 100 and then dividing $100,000 by the resulting answer.)

If an investor wishes to take out more, they will be subject to a 10% tax penalty. However, if the funds are transferred directly to another qualified retirement account or are used for educational expenses, the taxes and penalties won't apply.

Why Gold IRA

The rising interest in precious metal retirement accounts is mainly due to their ability to protect investors against inflation. When the dollar loses its value, gold and other precious metals tend to remain stable and, sometimes, increase in value.

This helps to preserve the purchasing power of investors' savings over time, even during periods of economic downturn and currency devaluation.

Unlike traditional retirement accounts, Gold IRA accounts are not subject to stock market volatility. An investor buys actual gold or silver and stores it in a secure location. Things like market crashes and economic downturns don't affect the value of their assets.

This makes Gold IRAs a great way to diversify your retirement portfolio and protect your hard-earned money from inflation.

Precious metals are rare and have real industrial applications. For example, gold is used to make jewelry and electronic circuits, while silver is used to make solar panels. Palladium and platinum are used to make catalytic convertors, and palladium is also used in dental alloys.

As these metals become rarer and their industrial applications increase, their value is likely to rise as well, making them an excellent long-term investment option for retirement planning.

Lastly, Gold IRA accounts are also a great way to pass on wealth to heirs. When an investor passes away, their family can receive the assets from the account tax-free and without having to go through probate court using a provision known as a "stretch IRA."

Furthermore, if the account is managed properly, any gains from it will not be subject to taxation until they are withdrawn.

Special Considerations When Investing in Gold IRA

Saving and growing wealth using precious metal IRAs involve the purchase and storage of the actual physical metals. As such, an investor must find IRS-approved companies from the account manager to the depository.

Additionally, an investor must consider the associated fees when selecting an account manager or custodian. Fees can range from setup costs, storage fees, annual expenses, withdrawal charges, audit fees, and more.

Some companies may include these fees, while others may charge them separately, so it's important for investors to do some research before deciding on which company will best fit their needs and budget.

Investors should also be aware of the tax implications associated with their accounts. In particular, traditional IRAs are subject to taxation upon withdrawal, and distributions from SEP IRAs are taxable income.

Essentially, the cost of running and maintaining these accounts, plus taxes that they may be subject to, should not outweigh the potential benefits of investing in them.

Lastly, even though most precious metal IRA companies allow people with at least $100-$300 to open accounts, a large deposit may be more beneficial in the long run.

Bigger investments can help investors accumulate assets faster and also reduce their storage costs, as these are usually calculated on a percentage basis of an account's total value.

Gold ETFs Vs. Physical Gold

Gold ETFs are investments in a fund that replicates the performance of gold. They are traded on stock exchanges just like any other securities.

On the other hand, investing in physical gold requires the whole process of finding a credible supplier, finding a place to store them, and holding onto them until the time the owner wants to sell or transfer them.

The main appeal of Gold ETFs is that it allows investors to gain exposure to gold without having to take physical possession of it, reducing the cost and hassle associated with buying, selling, and storing physical gold.

Gold ETFs are easy to trade on stock exchanges like any other security. Their prices are designed to mirror that of the metal itself, so investors can take advantage of the gold's price movements in near real-time.

However, it is important to keep in mind that Gold ETFs are not the same as physical gold. The investor does not own any actual gold and will never have physical possession of it.

This means that if there is a default by the company managing the fund or an insolvency event, investors may not be able to retrieve the gold that they "own."

Furthermore, ETFs may be subject to fees and taxes that are not incurred when buying physical gold. This should be taken into account when considering whether a Gold ETF is the right investment for you.

In contrast, physical gold is available in different forms, from decorative items to bullion coins and bars. It doesn't rust nor tarnish, is easy to transport and store, and can be traded in any market. Additionally, it is a tangible asset that provides holders with the assurance that they have something of value in their hands.

The major drawback, however, is security. An investor must find a reputable dealer and secure storage for the physical gold. And once bought and delivered safely, the supplier won't provide insurance or any other form of guarantee.

It is also important to note that physical gold offers no interest or dividends, so value growth must come from price appreciation alone. Consequently, if an investor wants significant profit in the future, they must buy lots of gold at a time, as well as have an eye for the right timing and market conditions.

Conclusion

Investing in precious metals, be it in ETFs, IRAs, physical gold, or other forms of bullion, can be a profitable endeavor. However, due to the various options and implications that come with each type of investment 

investors need to consider their individual needs and goals before committing their hard-earned money. Vanguard Group Inc. can help investors navigate these decisions and make educated investment choices that suit their financial goals.

Remember to read our list of the Best Gold Investment Companies to work with, before investing your hard-earned savings!

>> CLICK HERE to read our list of the Top Gold IRA Companies. <<

Or, if you like what you read about Vanguard Gold IRA, continue to their website below.