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Gold IRA fee calculator

Every cost of a gold IRA in one place, plus how far gold's price has to climb before you even break even. We've filled in typical figures to start. Change any number to match the quotes you've been given.

Your numbers

Ask each company for these figures in writing.

$
yrs
Dealer markup when you buy
%

The markup is what you pay above the metal's market (spot) value. It's often the biggest cost, and you'll rarely see it on a fee schedule. Why coins cost more.

$
$
$
%

Selling spread: how far below the market price a dealer pays when you sell back. Ask for the buyback terms in writing.

Gold must rise this much just to break even

0%

Total costs if gold's price stays flat

$0

Metal's market value on day one

$0

Where the money goes

    What you'd have after selling

    After all fees, if gold's price changes by this much over the whole period.

    Change in gold's priceYou'd haveGain or loss

    These are examples, not forecasts. Nobody knows what gold's price will do. We've assumed you pay the yearly fees from cash in the account instead of selling metal.

    How the calculator works

    Buy metal for a gold IRA and the dealer charges more than the metal's market value. That gap is the markup, and it's gone the day you buy. Then there's a setup fee, plus custodian and storage fees every year. When you sell, the dealer buys back below the market price.

    The calculator adds them up and works out how far gold has to rise over your holding period to cover the lot. If it rises less than that, you lose money, even though gold went up.

    How to lower your costs

    • Choose common bullion coins and bars over proof or "premium" coins, which tend to carry much bigger markups.
    • Get the markup in writing as a percentage over spot, before you sign anything.
    • Ask about flat versus scaled fees. Flat fees favor larger accounts; scaled fees grow as your account grows.
    • Compare against a gold ETF held in a regular IRA. Its yearly expense ratio is often well under 0.5%. See Gold IRA vs. gold ETF.

    Every fee is broken down in Gold IRA fees, line by line.

    Common questions

    What is a typical gold IRA markup?

    The range is wide. Common bullion coins and bars often sell for a few percent over spot, while proof and collectible "premium" coins can carry markups of 20% to 30% or more. Ask for the markup as a percentage, in writing, every time.

    Are "free storage" or "no fees for years" offers really free?

    Not always. Sometimes the cost just gets moved into a higher price for the metal. Compare the total cost, markup included, rather than any one fee.

    Why does a bigger markup matter so much?

    You lose the markup the moment you buy, so the metal has to earn it back before you see any gain. With a 30% markup, gold has to rise more than 30% just to get you back where you started.

    Does the calculator include taxes?

    No. Money in a traditional IRA grows tax-deferred, and withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. What you'd owe depends on your situation, so check with a tax professional.