In a gold or silver IRA, do I own physical metals or are they just on paper?
Yes — you own real, physical metal. Not a certificate, not a fund, not a promise.
When you invest in a precious metals IRA through GoldSilver, you are purchasing IRS-eligible physical gold and silver — such as American Gold Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, and .999 fine silver bars — allocated to you and held in a secure, IRS-approved vault on your behalf. Every ounce is yours.
How a GoldSilver precious metals IRA works
Your IRA is custodied by Equity Trust, which handles recordkeeping and reporting. GoldSilver manages the metals side — buying, selling, and storage. Custodian and storage fees may apply; contact us for current fee schedules. The physical metals are held at the Brinks Salt Lake City facility, audited regularly, and fully insured at current market value.
Unlike stocks, ETFs, or paper gold products, there is no counterparty between you and your metal. What you buy is what's sitting in the vault.
A real example
If you purchase a 100-ounce silver bar for your IRA, that specific bar size and quantity is yours. When you're ready to take a distribution — whether to satisfy an RMD or for any other reason — you can request physical delivery of that metal directly to your door or, sell it and take the cash proceeds.
What you can do with your metals
- Buy and sell anytime during trading hours through your GoldSilver account
- Take physical delivery by completing distribution paperwork with Equity Trust
- Transfer to another IRA custodian if needed
- Sell and withdraw cash proceeds through your account
Ready to get started or have questions?
Contact our team at support@goldsilver.com or 888-319-8166, Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm ET. You can also meet with an IRA specialist at a time that works for you.