American Gold Eagle
Iconic 22-karat gold coins minted by the U.S. Mint. Widely recognized and IRA-eligible in specified forms.
Discuss With An AdvisorPrecious Metals Retirement
Preserve Your RetirementWith Physical Precious Metals
A family-owned and operated precious metals firm serving investors, collectors, and retirement clients nationwide. ICBR helps clients understand the process of incorporating eligible precious metals into certain retirement accounts through coordination with qualified third-party custodians and approved storage providers.
Educational Overview
Understanding Precious Metals IRAs
Before any decision, it helps to understand the framework. Here is a clear, non-promotional overview of how a precious metals IRA is structured and how it differs from personally holding metals.
What It Is
A precious metals IRA is a self-directed individual retirement account that can hold certain IRS-approved physical precious metals in place of, or alongside, more traditional assets.
How It Works
A qualified third-party custodian administers the account, an approved depository stores the physical metals, and ICBR coordinates the process from initial conversation through delivery to storage.
How It Differs From Personal Ownership
Metals held inside an IRA must remain with an approved depository — they cannot be kept at home. Personally owned metals, by contrast, may be delivered directly to you for private safekeeping.
Educational information only. ICBR is not a custodian, tax advisor, legal advisor or investment advisor. Please consult your qualified professionals regarding your individual circumstances.
Considerations
Why Some Investors Consider Physical Precious Metals
These are concepts investors and retirees frequently discuss when researching precious metals — offered here as education, not as recommendations or guarantees of any outcome.
Diversification
Physical precious metals are a historically non-correlated asset class often considered alongside equities and fixed income.
Tangible Ownership
Unlike paper claims, physical metals are a real asset with no counterparty between the holder and the underlying value.
Long-Term Planning
Many investors think of precious metals as a multi-decade component of a broader long-term retirement plan.
Portfolio Balance
An allocation to physical metals is sometimes used to complement — not replace — other retirement holdings.
The ICBR Experience
A Considered, Six-Step Client Journey
From the first private conversation to a relationship that spans generations, every step is transparent, unhurried and guided by a single dedicated advisor.
- 01
Private Consultation
A quiet, no-obligation conversation with a dedicated advisor to explore your goals.
- 02
Review Eligible Retirement Accounts
We help you understand which of your existing accounts may qualify for a rollover or transfer.
- 03
Select IRA-Eligible Precious Metals
Choose from IRS-approved gold, silver, platinum and palladium suited to your plan.
- 04
Coordinate With A Qualified Custodian
We coordinate the paperwork and process with your chosen third-party IRA custodian.
- 05
Approved Secure Storage
Your physical metals are shipped, fully insured, to an approved depository of your choice.
- 06
A Long-Term Relationship
One dedicated advisor, ongoing education, and continuity for the decisions that follow.
Account Types
Eligible Retirement Accounts
A number of common retirement account structures may be eligible to hold IRS-approved precious metals through a self-directed IRA. Eligibility always depends on your individual circumstances.
Traditional IRA
Pre-tax contributions with tax-deferred growth; distributions taxed as ordinary income in retirement.
Roth IRA
After-tax contributions with the potential for qualified tax-free distributions in retirement.
SEP IRA
A retirement structure commonly used by self-employed individuals and small business owners.
SIMPLE IRA
A workplace retirement plan available to certain small employers and their employees.
Eligible 401(k) Rollovers
Certain 401(k) balances — often from a former employer — may be rolled into a self-directed IRA.
Eligible 403(b) Rollovers
Certain 403(b) balances held by educators and nonprofit employees may qualify for a rollover.
Eligible TSP Rollovers
Thrift Savings Plan balances may, in certain circumstances, be eligible to roll into a self-directed IRA.
Eligibility depends on your specific plan, employment status and individual circumstances. Please confirm eligibility with your plan administrator and qualified tax and legal advisors before initiating any rollover.
IRA-Eligible Products
Physical Precious Metals Held Inside An IRA
Not every precious metal or product qualifies for a precious metals IRA. Below is a curated selection of commonly held IRA-eligible products. Availability and eligibility are always reviewed on an individual basis.
American Gold Buffalo
.9999 fine 24-karat gold coins produced by the U.S. Mint and commonly held within precious metals IRAs.
Discuss With An Advisor
American Silver Eagle
.999 fine silver coins from the U.S. Mint — accessible and among the most widely traded IRA-eligible silver coins.
Discuss With An Advisor
American Platinum Eagle
.9995 fine platinum coins offering an option for diversification beyond gold and silver holdings.
Discuss With An Advisor
IRA-Eligible Gold Bars
Refinery-produced .9999 fine gold bars from approved LBMA-recognized brands in permitted sizes.
Discuss With An Advisor
IRA-Eligible Silver Bars
High-purity silver bars from approved refiners, in weights and finenesses that meet IRA requirements.
Discuss With An AdvisorNot all precious metal products qualify for inclusion in an IRA. Only specific coins and bars that meet IRS fineness and issuance standards are eligible. Your ICBR advisor will confirm eligibility for any product you consider.
Why Families Choose ICBR
Guidance Rooted In Stewardship, Not Sales
A family-owned and operated precious metals firm serving investors, collectors, and retirement clients nationwide. ICBR is devoted to a single discipline: helping clients understand and navigate physical precious metals. The pace is unhurried. The conversations are honest. The relationships are meant to last.
Education Before Transactions
We answer questions first. Any decision to move forward comes only after you feel genuinely informed.
Long-Term Relationships
One dedicated advisor for the life of your account — not a rotating call center or a new voice each year.
Transparent Communication
Clear pricing, plain-language documentation and honest conversations about what precious metals can and cannot do.
Personalized Service
Every family is different. Guidance is tailored to your goals, timeline and how metals fit within your broader plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers, Offered With Care
A few of the questions clients most often ask before speaking with our team. These answers are educational and are not tax, legal or investment advice.
A precious metals IRA is a self-directed individual retirement account that can hold specific IRS-approved physical precious metals. It follows the same general IRS rules as other IRAs, with the addition of eligibility requirements for the metals held inside it.
No. ICBR is not a custodian. Your account is administered by a qualified third-party IRA custodian of your choosing. ICBR coordinates the process, but the custodian holds the account and the approved depository holds the physical metals.
No. Metals held inside an IRA must be stored with an approved depository. Storing IRA metals at home can create significant tax and regulatory issues. Personally owned metals purchased outside of an IRA are a separate matter.
Only specific coins and bars that meet IRS fineness and issuance standards qualify. This typically includes select government-minted coins and bars from approved refiners. Your ICBR advisor can confirm eligibility for any product you are considering.
In many cases, balances held with a former employer may be eligible for a rollover into a self-directed IRA. Eligibility depends on your specific plan and circumstances. Your plan administrator and qualified tax advisor can confirm what is available to you.
A precious metals IRA typically involves custodian fees, storage fees at the approved depository, and the cost of the underlying metals. Your advisor will walk you through applicable fees clearly and in writing before you make any decision.
No. No investment, including physical precious metals, is guaranteed to protect against inflation, preserve purchasing power or increase in value. Precious metals can and do fluctuate in price. Any decision should be considered as part of your broader long-term plan.
Timelines vary based on your current custodian, plan type and the specific accounts involved. Many rollovers are completed within a few weeks, though every situation is unique. Your ICBR advisor will provide realistic expectations for your circumstances.
No. ICBR does not provide tax, legal or investment advice. We provide educational information and coordinate the logistics of acquiring and storing physical precious metals. Please consult your own qualified tax, legal and financial advisors before making decisions.
A Personal Decision
Is A Precious Metals IRA Right For You?
Retirement planning is deeply personal. A precious metals IRA suits some investors and not others. The right answer depends on your goals, your existing portfolio and the guidance of your own qualified professionals.
- Your retirement timeline and long-term financial goals
- How physical precious metals fit within your broader portfolio
- Tax considerations specific to your individual circumstances
- The role a qualified custodian and approved depository will play
ICBR's Role
An educational resource — not an investment advisor.
We invite clients to bring the education we provide to their own tax, legal and financial professionals. If a precious metals IRA is right for you, we are honored to help coordinate the process.
Our Commitment
Guidance Built On Trust
These principles have shaped ICBR since our earliest client conversations and continue to guide every relationship today.
Education
Transparency
Stewardship
Professional Guidance
Long-Term Relationships
Family-Owned Philosophy
ICBR does not provide tax, legal or investment advice. Please consult your qualified professionals before making decisions about your retirement accounts or the acquisition of physical precious metals.
Private Consultation
Schedule A Private Gold IRA Consultation
Whether you are beginning your research or preparing for a rollover, our team is available to answer your questions and help you better understand the process. Every conversation is private, unhurried and free of obligation.