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Years in business | 20 (established in 2003) |
Minimum IRA investment | $10,000 |
Fees |
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Services offered |
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Suitable for | New investors in the precious metals markets |
Online experience |
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Birch Gold Group is a dealer in physical precious metals that focuses on self-directed IRAs. Notable investors include The Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro and Ron Paul, former congressman and author of The Case for Gold.
The minimum investment amount for Birch Gold Group’s precious metals IRAs is a very reasonable $10,000, and annual fees are $200 regardless of the size of your account. The company also offers peace of mind through its partnerships with secure depositories to ensure the safe storage of your investments.
Birch Gold Group’s IRA products are particularly well suited to new investors who would like to take their first steps in the world of precious metals. I particularly liked the company’s free information kit, which contains up-to-date guidance on the investment benefits of gold and silver coins and bars. Coupled with the tailored advice provided by Birch Gold Group’s experts, beginners can diversify their investment portfolio confident that they are making the best decision for their personal circumstances. Of course, experienced investors can also benefit from the competitive fees and low minimum balance requirements.
Birch Gold Group's fees are straightforward and lower than many of its competitors. They include a one-time account setup fee of $50 and a wire transfer fee of $30. In addition, the annual storage/insurance fee is $100, and the yearly management fee is $100.
Regardless of the size of your account, your charges are not calculated as a percentage of your assets, and you will always pay the same $200 in annual fees.
One of its most attractive advantages is that Birch Gold Group will cover the first year’s fees on transfers of $50,000 or more—making investing with the company even more rewarding.
Account setup fee | $50 |
Wire transfer fee | $30 |
Storage/insurance | $100 per year |
Management fees | $100 per year |
These numbers are based on the assumption that you’ll be using one of Birch Gold Group’s recommended custodians and depositories. If you choose to use a different service, the fees may vary.
Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products are also available for purchase for physical possession, but Birch Gold Group does not display prices. To find out the cost of individual precious metal products, you’ll need to contact an adviser.
Opening a precious metals IRA with Birch Gold Group requires minimal effort on your part. The team of professionals at Birch Gold Group will be there to answer any questions or concerns you may have as you follow the steps below.
The first step to opening a precious metals IRA is deciding how to fund your account. You can open a new retirement account or roll over an existing one. Accounts that can be rolled over include traditional IRAs and company pension accounts like the 401(k). Your account will need to have a minimum value of $10,000.
Birch Gold Group produces a free 20-page information kit on precious metal investments. To receive this, go to the Education section of its website and enter your details in the contact form.
The next stage is to speak to an adviser. If you’ve requested an information kit, a representative will be in touch to see how they can help. Alternatively, you can ring the customer service line.
Your adviser will be able to provide you with expert advice on which metals are best suited to your individual needs. They will also explain the tax implications of investing in a precious metals IRA and help you find any discounts or special offers that may apply.
Once you’ve completed the necessary paperwork, Birch Gold Group will arrange for your funds to be transferred into your new account. You can then choose which assets you wish to invest in, such as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. Your adviser will explain how much of each metal must go into your account for it to be considered a “self-directed IRA”.
The final step is to purchase your chosen precious metals. You can do this yourself through an online dealer or have Birch Gold Group handle the transaction for you. Once your assets have been purchased, they’ll be stored securely in one of Birch Gold Group’s partner depositories.
You can contact Birch Gold Group by phone on 800-355-2116 or by emailing info@birchgold.com. Operating hours are 6am-5:30pm (PT), Monday-Friday.
The telephone customer service is excellent, and calls are answered almost immediately. However, I found the limited hours frustrating: being able to make inquiries in the evenings and at weekends would be helpful.
Note that there is currently no online chat function available on the website. If Birch Gold Group included this in their support options, it would improve their—already very good—support for customers.
What is a precious metals IRA?
A precious metals IRA is an individual retirement account where you invest your funds in gold, silver, platinum, and/or palladium. It offers the same tax advantages as a regular IRA but with the added benefit of diversifying your retirement portfolio with physical assets.
What types of metal can I invest in?
Birch Gold Group offers four types of metal: gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. All products meet the IRS requirements for purity and authenticity. Gold products range from American Gold Eagle and Canadian Maple Leaf coins to 1oz gold bars. Silver products include American Silver Eagle coins and 1oz silver bars.
Is my investment secure with Birch Gold Group?
Yes. All investments are securely stored in one of the company’s partner depositories. These include the Delaware Depository, which will insure your metals up to $1 billion.
Birch Gold Group's competitive fees and low minimum balance requirements make it a great choice for investors looking to diversify their retirement portfolio with physical assets. The company has 20 years of experience, and its team of experts provides you with personalized advice. Whether you’re looking to protect your wealth, diversify, or hedge against inflation, I think Birch Gold Group is a company worth strongly considering.
This review was compiled using information found on the Birch Gold Group, Trustpilot, and Better Business Bureau websites.
