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The Bottom Line: Birch Gold Group offers precious metal IRAs and precious metal sales with an emphasis on customer education and all-in-one service.
Our Partner
Premier Gold IRA Partner
AT A GLANCE
- Outstanding customer service
- Low fees
- Committed to transparency
- Great customer reviews
Overall Rating
4.5/5
A+ BBB Rating
Average review rating 5/5 on TrustLink
Pros & Cons
Here’s a quick look at what’s great about Birch and where the company could improve:
Pros
Cons
In today’s uncertain times, you want to diversify your portfolio to help protect your assets both now and into the future.
Precious metals are an increasingly popular method of portfolio diversification, how do you know the difference between a good and bad precious metal IRA company?
After all, you can’t entrust your retirement portfolio to just anyone.
Today, we’re taking a complete look at the Birch Gold Group.
They’re a gold IRA company with an impressive employee pedigree and well-established reputation, although there are a few potential issues you should know about, too.
Is Birch the right option for you?
Whether you’re new to the world of precious metal IRAs or are already an experienced investor, the following Birch Gold Group review highlights everything you need to know to make an informed and profitable decision.
Quick Summary
Minimum Investment: $10,000
Custodian Fees: $180 /year (custodian fees)
Promotion: 1st year fees waived (over $50k accounts)
About Birch Gold Group?
The Birch Gold Group is a precious metal firm that markets gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
You can buy precious metals for both physical position or placement in an IRA. Founded in 2003, and located in California, they’re a full-service, online-based firm.
The company focuses on protecting your portfolio against inflation.
Precious metals historically move in the opposite direction of the stock market, which helps balance against unpredictable market situations that leave traditional investments vulnerable.
Additionally, Birch is committed to excellent customer service with an emphasis on education. They offer many personalized options to help determine the best investment for your specific needs.
Even better, they’ll explain those options in clear English.
Birch Gold Group Services
You can choose from a wide range of investment products, including both IRA rollover services and physical metals.
On the physical side, you can invest in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Bullion and coins are available, including gold and silver coins from the US and Canada.
You’ll find a variety of popular favorites such as the American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, and Indian Head Eagle.
All coin authentication is handled by the Numismatic Guarantee Corporation and Professional Coin Grading Service.
They authenticate every aspect of the coin, including its weight, precious metal content, and other factors.
With their IRA rollover services, you can use your 401K to fund your IRA.
In line with their philosophy of always keeping their clients informed, Birch offers an expansive variety of education and assistance programs for all of their rollover services.
They offer multiple options for custodian and depository. As a gold investor, you’ll need a custodian to administrate the investment account.
Sometimes, finding a reputable custodian is tricky, but Birch works closely with Equity Trust and others.
Precious metals require storage in strict accordance with IRS standards.
Birch works with Brink’s, International Depository Services, and Delaware Depository.
All depositories are US-based (the highest recommended option) in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Delaware, and Dallas.
Minimum Investment & Fees
All types of IRAs and investment products have associated fees – of course, that’s nothing new.
But a gold IRA can have extra fees, based on the increased complexity of the process. Generally, the custodians that Birch Gold partners with keeps their fees low or at least relatively similar to other mainstream custodians.
Service | Investment Min | Annual Custodian Fees |
Precious Metals IRA | $10,000 | $180 |
Non-IRA | $10,000 | $0 |
Account Setup
The setup fee from Equity Trust Company, Birch Gold's primary partner custodian, is $50.
That might seem slightly steep if you’re accustomed to the standard setup fees associated with a conventional IRA, but it’s fairly standard for a precious metal IRA.
Equity Trust also charges a $30 wire transfer fee.
Storage Fees
As touched on above, gold within an IRA is stored in secure, IRS-approved depositories. When you invest in precious metals, through an IRA you’ll need to pay some related storage fees.
The standard for most Birch Gold customers fee is $100 annually, with an additional $80 for maintenance. These fees can vary based on your desired storage type.
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Who is Birch Gold Group Best for?
You’re interested in precious metal investing, but how do you know if the Birch Gold Group is the right choice?
If any of the following scenarios apply to you, Birch is definitely worth consideration:
They purposefully try to reach a wide customer base.
What Makes Birch Gold Group Unique?
While Birch Gold Group does cover the basics well, they also offer a rich selection of unique features you won’t find in the competition:
Commitment to Education
Birch understands that an informed client is a satisfied client. Their core operating philosophy centers around a commitment to answer your questions and understand your needs. They’ll work with you to develop a custom financial strategy based on your current situation, long-term goals, and preferences.
IRA Specialists
Opening and managing a Gold IRA account is easy with Birch, because they’ve devoted an entire section of their company to the process. Their in-house IRA Department will help you every step of the way. You’ll always deal with a dedicated IRA specialist who understands your specific situation.
Top Tier Employee Pedigree
The Birch Gold Group team includes a wide range of experience. Their employees are former financial advisors, commodities brokers, wealth managers, and more. Founded in 2003, Birch is an experienced organization located in Burbank, California. Their client base includes people from all 50 states.
Endorsements
If Birch Gold Group sounds familiar, it’s likely due to their frequent media mentions. They’re also endorsed by the Ben Shapiro Show. Any significant endorsement does help add to Birch’s overall credibility.
FAQ's
How is gold and silver able to be held in my retirement account?
Where will my IRA’s precious metals be stored?
Are there any taxes or penalties for transferring money from my IRA or 401(k) into a precious metals IRA?
What vaults are the metal held in?
Which custodians are used for the actual rollovers?
Which types of investment accounts can I roll over into a precious metals IRA?
Is there a buy-back program?
Does opening a precious metals IRA require lots of complicated paperwork?
How is gold and silver able to be held in my retirement account?
A precious metals IRA (often just called a “gold IRA”) is a self-directed Individual Retirement Account where the holdings are IRS-approved precious metals instead of traditional stocks and bonds. It can be set up with pre-tax funds, like a traditional IRA, or with after-tax funds, like a Roth IRA.
Where will my IRA’s precious metals be stored?
You can choose between co-mingled or segregated storage. Also called non-segregated storage, co-mingled storage is when your precious metals are stored in the same vault as other precious metals from other investors. Segregated storage is when your precious metals are stored in a room or safe deposit box away from other metals. While more secure, it’s also more expensive.
Are there any taxes or penalties for transferring money from my IRA or 401(k) into a precious metals IRA?
There are no fees when rolling over money from a 410(k) or IRA into an IRA. You’re only allowed one rollover from a 401(k) each year. However, you can transfer from an IRA to another IRA as many times as you wish. After taking money from one account, a process called distribution, you have 60 days to transfer it into your new gold IRA (or other IRA).
What vaults are the metal held in?
Birch works with Delaware Depository, Brink’s, and International Depository Services – all top-of-the-line security organizations. They operate depositories in Los Angeles, Seal Beach, Dallas, Delaware, and New York.
Which custodians are used for the actual rollovers?
They work extensively with Equity Trust, a custodian with over 40 years of experience. However, they’ll also work with any custodian you prefer.
Which types of investment accounts can I roll over into a precious metals IRA?
Many traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), 403(b) and 457 accounts can roll over into a precious metals IRA.
Is there a buy-back program?
Yes. If you want to sell for any reason, Birch will buy back anything they sold you. They offer competitive buy-back rates that are established in advance during purchase.
Does opening a precious metals IRA require lots of complicated paperwork?
No, Birch’s IRA department makes the process easy and simple for clients. You won’t feel overwhelmed by forms and paperwork.
Birch Gold vs. Competitors
best choice
- Annual Fee: $175-$225
- Minimum Investment: $25,000
- Promotion: 5% back on metals over $50k
BEST EDUCATION
- Annual Fee: $225
- Minimum Investment: $2,000
- Promotion: Buy back program
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
- Annual Fee: $225
- Minimum Investment: $25,000
- Promotion: Waived fees on larger investments
Birch Gold Group Reviews & 3rd Party Ratings
You can find lots of favorable information from third-party sources on Birch Gold.
While the Better Business Bureau doesn’t list too many reviews, they’re all positive. TrustLink has over 100 reviews, and almost all of them are positive.
Birch Gold Group Promotions
Currently, Birch Gold Group offers the following special deals:
Promotions can change at any time, so check the site for the most up-to-date information.
How to Get Started with Birch Gold Group
You’ve decided this type of investment is for you, and you want to begin the process of rolling over your retirement account.
Here’s how that process works:
Step 1: You’ll meet with a Birch Precious Metal Specialist to discuss your specific goals and motivation.
Step 2: An IRA Specialist will then determine the rollover eligibility of your retirement account.
Step 3: You’ll create an account with a custodian. Birch offers recommendations and will help with paperwork.
Step 4: Funds from your existing retirement account will roll over into your new self-directed IRA. Birch will help you navigate the details.
Step 5: Using funds from the new IRA, Birch specialists will purchase the desired precious metals and arrange for storage at an approved depository.
If making a cash purchase, the process follows these steps:
Step 1: You’ll speak with a Precious Metals Specialist to discuss your specific goals.
Step 2: Next, you’ll send funds to Birch Gold Group by bank wire or check.
Step 3: Birch will purchase the designated precious metals.
Step 4: The metals are shipped to your designed storage facility.
Birch will be available to assist you for every step.
Final Verdict
Creating a precious metal IRA, and maintaining precious metal investments, requires a partnership with the right company.
They must excel in both general IRA operation plus all factors related to precious metals, such as custodianship and storage.
However, the right investments can help diversify your portfolio, protect against inflation, and secure your financial future.
Overall, Birch Gold Group offers a full-service experience with attention to each client’s needs and a focus on education. Beyond our Birch Gold Group review, check out Best Gold IRA Companies for more information. It’s an investing path you’ll want to know more about!Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold Group offers precious metal IRAs and precious metal sales with an emphasis on customer education and all-in-one service.
- Editor Rating
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I’m Donny. I’m a world traveler, investor, entrepreneur, and online marketing aficionado who has a big appetite to compete and disrupt big markets. I thrive on being able to create things that impact change, difficult challenges, and being able to add value in negative situations.