Rachel Donovan, Research Editor — Our comparisons of gold IRA companies rest on public information and criteria we set ourselves.
Last updated: November 2026 · Fee data re-verified quarterly · About our review process
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Goldco Review 2026

★★★★★ 4.8/5
BBB: A+
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Minimum$25,000
Years16+
BBBA+
Rating4.8/5

Goldco is best judged from the exit backwards. Its main selling point is a buyback guarantee that promises to repurchase metals at the highest prevailing price when you liquidate, and that is the claim to examine first. This review covers the buyback, the rollover process, the fees after the waived first year, and who should compare other companies instead.

Pros

  • Buyback guarantee that promises to repurchase metals at the highest prevailing price
  • Dedicated account representatives available 7 days a week for rollover coordination
  • Handles 401(k), 403(b), TSP and IRA rollovers as direct trustee-to-trustee transfers
  • Catalog covers gold, silver, platinum and palladium
  • Founded in 2006, one of the longer track records on this site
  • A+ BBB rating

Cons

  • $25,000 minimum is above the $10,000 entry point of American Hartford Gold and the $5,000 entry point of Birch Gold Group
  • Annual fees of $180 to $230 start only after the waived first year
  • The fee waiver and silver-bonus promotion depend on account size, so the real terms need to be read before funding

The Buyback Guarantee and What to Ask About It

Selling is where many gold IRA investors feel the cost. A dealer buys at a lower price than it sells at, and that gap is the bid-ask spread. Goldco's primary differentiator is a buyback guarantee that promises to repurchase metals at the highest prevailing price when you choose to liquidate, which is meant to reduce the spread risk you face when you sell through a third-party dealer.

A guarantee is only as useful as its written terms. Ask Goldco to put the answers in writing: what price is used as the reference, whether any liquidation fee or shipping charge applies, how quickly cash settles into the account, and whether the policy covers every product you bought.

How a Goldco Rollover Runs, Step by Step

  • Request the free kit and speak with a representative, who is available 7 days a week.
  • Open a self-directed IRA; Goldco's custodian on this site is Strata Trust Company.
  • Start a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer from your 401(k), 403(b), TSP or IRA, which avoids the 20% mandatory withholding and the 60-day rollover deadline.
  • Wait for funding, which completes in 7 to 14 business days.
  • Choose IRS-approved metals, then confirm segregated storage at Delaware Depository.

Fee Structure After the Waived First Year

Goldco waives first-year fees on accounts over $50,000. After that, it charges $180 to $230 annually depending on account size and storage preference, with custodian services through Strata Trust Company and segregated storage at Delaware Depository.

On a $25,000 account, the $180 to $230 range works out to roughly 0.72% to 0.92% per year. That is before the premium over spot you pay on purchase, so compare the full cost, not only the annual line.

ItemCost
Minimum$25,000
First-year feesWaived on accounts over $50,000
Annual fee after year one$180 to $230, by account size and storage
CustodianStrata Trust Company
StorageSegregated, Delaware Depository

Reading the Silver-Bonus Offer

Goldco promotes a 10% silver-bonus promotion on qualifying first-year accounts. Promotions of this kind are marketing, not a reduction in the underlying price of the metal. Before you let a bonus decide the choice, ask what counts as a qualifying account, what the bonus is calculated on, and whether the price you pay for the original metal is higher than another dealer's quote.

Who Fits Goldco, and Who Should Look Elsewhere

Goldco suits savers with at least $25,000 who want a representative to coordinate the rollover paperwork and who place weight on a stated exit policy. Savers with $10,000 to $24,999 cannot open an account here and should look at American Hartford Gold or Birch Gold Group, and a $20,000 saver also has Noble Gold available.

Red Flags and How to Verify Claims

  • Pressure to move money before you have seen written fee and buyback terms.
  • Any push toward numismatic or collectible coins; these are generally not IRA-eligible.
  • Offers to ship IRA metals to your home; storing IRA metals at home is a prohibited transaction.
  • Confirm the BBB profile yourself at bbb.org and check your state securities or consumer-protection regulator before you wire anything.

Our Verdict

Goldco is the stronger fit for investors who want an explicit exit policy and hands-on rollover help and who can fund $25,000. Its fees are reasonable after the first year, but the guarantee and the silver bonus are only worth what the written terms say. Get both documents, compare the spread against another company's quote, and then decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Goldco buyback guarantee promise?

It promises to repurchase metals at the highest prevailing price when you decide to liquidate. Ask for the written terms, including any fees and the reference price used.

How long does a Goldco rollover take?

Funding completes in 7 to 14 business days for 401(k), 403(b), TSP and IRA rollovers handled as direct trustee-to-trustee transfers.

What does Goldco charge each year?

After the waived first year on qualifying accounts over $50,000, annual fees run $180 to $230 depending on account size and storage preference, with Strata Trust Company as custodian.

What is the minimum for a Goldco gold IRA?

$25,000. That is above American Hartford Gold at $10,000, Birch Gold Group at $5,000 and Noble Gold at $20,000, and below Augusta at $50,000.

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Compare Other Companies

Augusta Precious Metals

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American Hartford Gold

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Birch Gold Group

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Noble Gold

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