Birch Gold Group is a precious metals brokerage firm based in Des Moines, Iowa. Founded in 2003, Birch Gold Group serves clients throughout the U.S. by managing Gold IRAs or Precious Metals IRAs holding silver, platinum, or palladium, gold, or a combination of these metals. Some Birch Gold Group senior management members serve on the highly thought of Forbes Finance Council.
Birch Gold Group specializes in Precious Metals IRAs offering Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium at competitive rates. You can also speak with Birch Gold Group about physically possessing your precious metals.
Birch Gold Group Review
Birch Gold Group is a precious metals dealer with nearly 20 years of experience, including assisting customers with managing Precious Metals and Gold IRAs. The company sells physical gold, silver, platinum and palladium for IRA investments or personal ownership. Birch Gold Group’s in-house IRA Department specializes in simplifying the process of opening a Precious Metals IRA or rolling over retirement accounts for customers. With a strong focus on client education, Birch Gold takes the time to ensure each client has a firm grasp on the benefits and risks of precious metals investing while factoring in each investor’s goals.
Pros
Customer reviews mention a high service level
Prioritizes communication and education
No fees the first year on transfers over $50,000
Highly rated by consumer organizations, investment professionals and clients
Cons
Website mentions setup charges and annual fees without giving the cost
Gold and other precious metal IRAs are an investment and carry risk. Consumers should be alert to claims that customers can make a lot of money in these or any investment with little risk. As with any investment, you can lose money and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance results. Consumers should also obtain a clear understanding of the fees associated with any investment before agreeing to invest.
How to Get a Gold IRA With Birch Gold Group
With a Birch Gold Group gold IRA, customers can choose to put their gold, silver, platinum or palladium into a retirement account. The company makes sure your purchases meet specific criteria set by the Internal Revenue Service to qualify for placement in an IRA. You are free to diversify the holdings in a precious metals IRA with several options in addition to precious metals. These investments include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate and mortgages, raw land, private businesses and loans.
Here’s the Birch Gold Group process for establishing a precious metals IRA:
Gold IRA custodian: As a broker, Birch Gold Group helps you set up a custodian if your current custodian isn’t licensed to facilitate a precious metals IRA. Birch Gold Group works with Equity Trust Company as its primary custodian. If customers have a preferred custodian, Birch is willing to work with them.
Source and buy precious metals: Birch Gold Group helps acquire precious metals for your IRA. The Internal Revenue Service does not approve all precious metals for holding in an IRA, so Birch Gold will assist you in choosing your investments.
Shipping and storage: Once you buy the precious metals, they ship to approved depositories for secure storage like Delaware Depository or Brink’s Global Service.
Ongoing communication: Your Birch Gold Group specialist is always available whenever you have a question or need a market update. The company makes this a priority and a policy.
Many 401(k), 403(b), 457, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and all traditional IRA and Roth IRA accounts are eligible to roll over to a precious metals IRA.
Birch Gold Group Gold IRAs Features
While some media outlets only portray precious metals IRAs negatively, there is most certainly a place in many investment portfolios for gold IRAs. As opposed to traditional investments in stocks or bonds, gold IRAs can offer privacy, liquidity and long-term financial security. These advantages are possible because no one government, financial institution or stock market controls the value of precious metals.
Gold IRAs offer many benefits for those who want a hfedge against inflation or a more diversified portfolio. There are risks, as with any investment. Wise investors do their research and actively participate in their financial planning. Birch Gold Group account specialists help you by taking an interest in your plans, investment goals, and financial future. Birch Gold specialists strive to ensure you have all the information required to make the best decisions for your objectives and to answer all questions.
American Gold Eagle (bullion), American Gold Eagle (proof), American Buffalo, Source: Getty
Birch Gold Group Precious Metals IRA Costs
As with any IRA, there are fees associated with the IRA you will set up, and costs vary depending on the custodian and depository. Birch Gold Group primarily works with Equity Trust Company for custodial services. If you use these two companies, annual fees are about $75 and $100, which includes a $1 billion all-risk insurance policy covering the very unlikely theft of your investment. Birch Gold Group frequently offers promotional pricing. For example, a long-standing promotion gives investors up to $10,000 in free precious metals, depending on the order amount.
Birch Gold Group IRA Investment Options
The types of gold Birch Gold Group sells for use in gold IRA accounts are listed below. The company also sells gold bars from approved mints, and silver, platinum and palladium to precious metals IRA customers. Birch Gold also sells gold and other precious metal bars, rounds and coins for non-IRA investments stored at the buyer’s option.
Investment
Description
American Gold Eagle — Bullion
91% gold available in 1/10, 1/4, 1/2 and 1-ounce coins.
American Gold Eagle — Proof
A limited number of the collector’s versions of the American Gold Eagle coin is minted each year.
American Buffalo
The first pure gold coin in North America, the Gold American Buffalo is a 24-karat bullion coin.
Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
One of the purest coins in the world, the 24-karat gold coin is minted with no base metal.
Gold Bars and Rounds
Generally valued closer to the melt value of gold than most others on the market.
Valcambi CombiBars
Gold bars available in 50 x 1 gram and 20 x 1 gram.
Gold Polar Bear and Cub
99.99% pure gold, CA$10 face value.
Gold Gyrfalcon
The Royal Canadian Mint’s 2016 gold coin is 99.99% pure gold and weighs 1/4 ounce.
Gold Twin Maples
A 1/4 ounce pure gold coin in CA$10 denomination.
Birch Gold Group Approved Gold IRA Investments
Birch Gold Group Complaints
The Better Business Bureau gives Birch Gold Group an ‘A+” rating with 71 customer reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5 stars. Birch Gold Group answered all complaints, with most of those marked resolved. The majority of claims have to do with fluctuating gold prices and customers blaming the company for losses when the precious metal spot pricing decreased. Given the nature of the precious metals market, these complaints may have no basis. ConsumerAffairs.com rates Birch Gold 4.8 out of 5 stars based on more than 114 reviews, and TrustLink awards the company 4.9 out of 5 stars. Google Reviews shows a 4.8 out of 5-star rating for Birch Gold Group.
Birch Gold Group FAQ
Are retirement funds in a Birch Gold Group gold IRA tax-deferred?
Can I store the precious metals I purchase from Birch Gold Group at home?
Gold and other precious metals in an IRA must always be in the physical possession of a bank or an IRS-approved trustee. However, you can store precious metals where ever you like if you don’t buy them within an IRA. That said, storing such high-value items in your home is not advised for safety reasons.
Does Birch Gold Group store precious metals?
No, the company does not handle physical storage for precious metals. Birch Gold Group frequently works with Delaware Depository, the largest precious metals depository in the U.S. outside of New York City. Delaware Depository securely stores your investment separated from the gold and precious metals of other customers. Delaware Depository insures your account up to $1 billion with insurance from Lloyd’s of London.
Does Birch Gold Group guarantee the values of the precious metals in my IRA
No one can ensure the value of precious metals at any given time. Due to a variety of market influences, there is no guarantee on the future value of gold, silver and other precious metals. It’s impossible to grow an investment without value fluctuations, making long-term investments best for gold and precious metals.
Does Birch Gold Group require a minimum investment for precious metals IRAs?
Yes. The minimum investment for a Birch Gold Group precious metals IRA is $10,000 for all transactions.
Conclusion
Birch Gold Group wants customers to understand gold IRAs are great for diversification and security, but they don’t try to convince customers to put all retirement eggs into one basket. Investing in gold or other precious metals is not a get-rich-quick scheme, which Birch Gold Group stresses up front. Whether you’re creating a precious metals IRA for the first time and have much to learn or you’re an experienced investor, Birch Gold Group will educate you, answer questions and continue to communicate with you after the sale.
