Gold IRA storage and custodians

Different entities, different roles

The dealer sells metal, the IRA custodian or trustee administers the account, and a depository may physically store the metal. Confirm each entity and the agreements that govern it.

Storage arrangements

Ask whether storage is segregated or commingled, how holdings are identified, what insurance covers and how independent audits are conducted. Do not assume all providers offer the same terms.

Home-storage claims

The IRS warns that qualifying bullion must meet specific custody requirements. Arrangements involving personal possession or IRA-owned LLCs can create serious tax risk.

Exit procedures

Ask who authorizes sales or distributions, how long processing typically takes, and what storage or shipping charges apply.

Who holds the metal?

For qualifying bullion in an IRA, IRS guidance generally requires physical possession by a bank or approved nonbank trustee. The custodian administers the IRA; a depository may provide storage under an arrangement that meets applicable rules. Confirm the specific legal entities and contracts.

Avoid assuming that an IRA-owned LLC or a home safe automatically meets the possession requirement. The IRS explicitly cautions that indirect acquisitions do not bypass the rule.

Segregated and commingled arrangements

A segregated arrangement may identify particular pieces to your account, while a commingled arrangement may track an equivalent quantity of fungible metal. Exact definitions and delivery rights depend on the written agreement, not the marketing label.

Ask how holdings are identified, audited, insured, valued, and released. Find out what happens if the custodian or dealer changes service providers.

What to verify in writing

Request the depository name and location, insurance description and exclusions, audit practices, access restrictions, shipping terms, and distribution process. Determine whether storage fees vary by account value, metal quantity, or storage method.

Reconcile depository records with your custodian statement after purchases and sales. Insurance does not protect against a fall in the market price of gold.

Before you make a decision

Use these questions to turn the information above into a documented comparison rather than relying on a sales conversation.

• What written evidence supports the key claims in “who holds the metal?”?
• How would the costs, constraints, or risks in “segregated and commingled arrangements” affect my own situation?
• Which details in “what to verify in writing” must I confirm with the custodian, provider, or independent adviser?

Frequently asked questions

Is segregated storage always necessary?

Not universally. Compare what each contract promises about identification, return of specific items, fees, and insurance.

Can I visit the vault?

Access policies differ. Ask the storage provider what inspection, audit, or withdrawal options are actually available.