Self-Directed IRA Precious Metals
Protect and diversify your retirement savings with tangible metals.
A self-directed IRA gives you the opportunity to move beyond stocks and bonds and invest directly in physical assets like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
By diversifying with precious metals, you can protect your portfolio from inflation, market swings, and currency declines, all while keeping the powerful tax advantages of a Traditional or Roth IRA.
With Horizon Trust, you can directly purchase and store IRS-approved bullion or coins through an approved depository, keeping your assets secure and compliant.
Why Invest in Precious Metals with a Self-Directed IRA
- Stability During Market Uncertainty: Precious metals historically retain value during periods of inflation, economic downturns, or geopolitical stress.
- Diversification: Adding gold or silver to your IRA helps balance stock-heavy portfolios and reduce correlation risk.
- Tangible, Secure Value: Unlike paper assets, bullion is a physical store of value that cannot be erased by market swings.
- Tax-Deferred or Tax-Free Growth: All appreciation and gains from sales remain within your IRA — tax-deferred in a Traditional IRA, tax-free in a Roth IRA.
- Inflation Hedge: As the cost of living rises, the intrinsic value of gold and silver tends to climb with it, helping preserve purchasing power over time.
Protect Your Retirement from Inflation and Market Volatility
Precious metals offer stability when paper assets fluctuate. Discover how to hold IRS-approved metals inside a tax-advantaged retirement account.
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What Precious Metals Are Eligible for IRA Investment?
Precious metals are rare earth metals refined into coins, bars, or bullion for individual ownership.
The IRS restricts IRA holdings to certain approved metals and purity standards. Horizon Trust ensures that every purchase meets compliance requirements.
Approved Metals within a self-directed IRA include:
Gold
99.5% purity (e.g., American Gold Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, Gold Bars)
Silver
99.9% purity (e.g., Silver Eagle, Silver Philharmonic, Silver Bars)
Platinum
99.95% purity
Palladium
99.95% purity
All precious metals can be purchased in coins, bars, or bullion and must be stored in an approved depository. Bars and coins must be produced by an accredited manufacturer, such as the US Mint or Royal Canadian Mint.
It’s very important to be aware of prohibited transactions that could be costly to your bottom line if you’re hit with a penalty on your account. Non-approved assets include:
- Collectible or numismatic coins
- Jewelry or art
- Rare or graded coins not on the IRS-approved list
Horizon Trust partners with accredited dealers and depositories to streamline every transaction and keep your IRA in compliance.
Invest in Precious Metals with a Self-Directed IRA in 5 Easy Steps
Horizon Trust makes it easy to set up and maintain a Self-Directed IRA.
At Horizon Trust, we believe in turning dreams into reality. Founded by Greg Herlean, who has masterfully managed over $1.3 billion in real estate transactions, our mission is to empower you to take control of your financial destiny using the tax-free advantages of a Self-Directed IRA. Retire wealthy.
Here’s how it works:
STEP 1
Open and Fund Your SDIRA
Work with Horizon Trust to establish and fund your account.
STEP 2
Identify a Lending Opportunity
Conduct due diligence to choose a borrower, set interest rates, and define loan terms.
STEP 4
Submit for Custodian Review
Horizon Trust will ensure compliance before funds are issued from your IRA.
Receive Payments: All loan payments and interest go directly back into your SDIRA, preserving tax advantages.
STEP 3
Draft the Precious Metals
Include payment schedules, collateral details, and default terms to create loan terms.
Disclaimer
Horizon Trust Company is an independent passive Custodian and is not associated or affiliated with and does not recommend, promote or advise any specific investment, investment opportunity, investment sponsor, investment company or investment promoter or any agents, employees, representatives or other of such firms or entities. Investments are not FDIC Insured, offer no bank guarantee and may lose value.
Proven Success. Trusted Leadership. Real Impact.
At Horizon Trust, we make it simple to open and manage a Self-Directed IRA, so you can take control of your retirement on your terms. Founded by Greg Herlean, who has overseen more than $1.3 billion in real estate transactions, Horizon Trust was built by someone who understands what self-directed investors need: personalized service, fast transactions, and a custodian that stays out of your way.
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Learn About Self-Directed IRA Precious Metals
Key Rules for Precious Metals Investing with a Self-Directed IRA
To maintain your account’s tax-advantaged status, the IRS lays out important guidelines for self-directed account owners to follow:
Metals must meet minimum purity standards (gold 99.5%, silver 99.9%, platinum/palladium 99.95%).
A certified or accredited refiner, manufacturer, or assayer must produce bars and round coins. Proof coins must be in their original packaging, in excellent condition, and with a certificate of authenticity.
Bullion bars must weigh the exact amount shown on their packages.
All holdings must be stored in an IRS-approved depository, not your home or safe deposit box.
You cannot buy or sell metals to yourself, family members, or any disqualified party.
All purchases and sales must go through your IRA custodian.
Beware of “Gold Storage IRAs,” which are strictly prohibited by the IRS.
Protect Your Retirement from Inflation and Market Volatility
Precious metals offer stability when paper assets fluctuate. Discover how to hold IRS-approved metals inside a tax-advantaged retirement account.
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