Goldco has handled 401k-to-gold-IRA rollovers since 2006 and lists a $25,000 minimum. Its team coordinates the paperwork between your employer plan and a self-directed precious metals IRA, and it supports 401k, 403(b), TSP and Roth 401k sources.
Pros
- Buyback commitment for rolled-over metals (confirm the terms in writing)
- Complete coordination of 401k-to-gold transfer paperwork
- 16+ years of 401k rollover experience
- Handles all communication with your 401k plan administrator
- Rollovers accepted from 401k, 403(b), TSP and Roth 401k plans
- A+ BBB rating
Cons
- $25,000 minimum for 401k rollovers
- Detailed fee schedule requires phone consultation
- Processing times vary by 401k plan administrator
- Limited international rollover options
401k Rollover Overview
Goldco has handled 401k-to-gold-IRA rollovers since 2006. Its team verifies your 401k plan's rollover eligibility and coordinates the direct trustee-to-trustee transfer of funds.
Goldco converts 401k, 403(b), TSP and other employer-sponsored plans into self-directed precious metals IRAs. A direct rollover does not trigger taxes or early withdrawal penalties.
Rollover Products and Services
After your 401k funds are transferred, Goldco offers IRS-approved precious metals for the IRA.
- Tax-free direct 401k rollovers to gold and silver IRAs
- 403(b), TSP, pension, and Roth 401k rollovers supported
- Wide selection of IRS-approved gold and silver products
- Rollover education resources and guides
- Price protection guarantee during the rollover process
401k Rollover Fees
The fee table lists no charge for processing the rollover itself. The recurring costs are the annual administrative fee and storage.
| Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Account Setup Fee | $50 |
| Annual Administrative Fee | $80 |
| Annual Storage Fee | $100 - $175 |
| Wire Transfer Fee | $30 |
| 401k Rollover Processing | $0 |
Buyback Program for Rollover Clients
Goldco states that it repurchases metals from rollover clients, which matters when you must liquidate holdings or take required minimum distributions (RMDs). The home page of this site says the repurchase price is competitive, so the exact price is the number to pin down.
Before you buy, ask for the buyback price formula in writing, the spread between the price you pay and the price Goldco pays, and how many days settlement takes. Without those numbers, the word guarantee tells you little.
Storage for Rolled-Over Assets
Goldco uses the IRS-approved Delaware Depository and Brink's Global Services to store metals from 401k rollovers. Ask for the current insurance and audit documentation for the depository you select.
Segregated storage keeps your rolled-over gold and silver separate from other clients' holdings. Commingled storage costs less but pools metals of the same type.
What the Fee Table Costs in Dollars and Percent
Using the fee table above, the recurring cost is the $80 administrative fee plus $100 to $175 for storage: about $180 to $255 a year. On a $25,000 rollover that is roughly 0.72% to 1.02% of the balance. The one-time items are a $50 setup fee and a $30 wire fee. These figures leave out the dealer markup on the metals, which is usually the largest cost and does not appear in any annual fee table.
The home page of this site also says Goldco waives first-year fees on accounts over $50,000. If your rollover is between $25,000 and $50,000, expect to pay the setup and annual fees from the start.
Red Flags and How to Verify Goldco's Claims
Any gold IRA company, Goldco included, should survive the same checks. Run them yourself instead of relying on a review site, this one included.
- Look up the company's BBB profile and read the complaints and responses, not only the letter grade.
- Check your state attorney general or securities regulator for complaints against the company.
- Ask for the written fee schedule and compare it with the table on this page.
- Be wary of pressure to act before a promotion ends, or to buy collectible coins priced above bullion value.
- Confirm that the metals will ship to an IRS-approved depository and never to your home.
- Confirm the silver-bonus or other promotion terms in writing before the purchase, because promotions can change the price you pay per ounce.
Goldco Compared With the Other Four
Goldco ranks second on this site: 4.8/5, a $25,000 minimum and 16+ years in business. Augusta rates higher (4.9) but asks for $50,000. Birch Gold Group has the same 4.8 rating with a $5,000 minimum and 20+ years in business. American Hartford Gold (4.7, $10,000) and Noble Gold (4.5, $20,000) are the newer companies. If your rollover is under $25,000, Goldco's published minimum rules it out.
Our Verdict
Goldco suits investors rolling over $25,000 or more who want the company to run the transfer paperwork. It is rated 4.8/5 with an A+ BBB rating and 16+ years in business. Before committing, get the fee schedule and the buyback formula in writing.
