A precious metals IRA can have costs that do not appear in a conventional brokerage IRA. Comparing them requires more than finding one annual fee.
Four cost layers to check
- Account and custodian costs. Ask about setup, annual administration, distributions, transfers, and closing fees.
- Storage. Find out how depository and insurance charges are calculated.
- Dealer pricing. Compare what you pay with the market value of the metal and understand the dealer's spread.
- Exit costs. Ask how repurchases work and what you may receive if you sell.
Why percentages matter
A fixed annual fee has a different impact on a small account than on a large one. Dealer spreads also matter because the metal may need to rise before a future sale offsets the gap between buying and selling prices.
Ask each company for current written pricing before making a purchase. Fees and policies can change.