Eric Sepanek
SBC Founder
Eric Sepanek is the founder of Scottsdale Bullion & Coin, established in 2011. With extensive experience in the precious metals industry, he is dedicated to educating Americans on the wealth preservation power of gold and silver.
Whether you’re starting a new career, diversifying your investment portfolio, or preparing for retirement, you might be looking for ways to convert an old employer-based retirement plan to an IRA that allows physical gold ownership within the IRA. That’s where a 401k to gold IRA rollover can come in handy.
While it’s possible to complete an IRA rollover without penalties, you’ll need to follow specific rules and avoid common missteps. Any number of mistakes can leave you on the hook for tax penalties.
What is a 401k to gold IRA rollover?
Through a 401k to gold IRA rollover, retirement funds held in a previous employer-sponsored account are moved into a self-directed IRA, also known as a precious metal IRA. Since most companies place strict guidelines on their retirement plans, this transfer is typically only possible after leaving the company either through a career change, layoff, or retirement.
Unlike common retirement plans which limit investors to stock market assets, self-directed IRAs allow you to invest directly in a range of physical gold assets. With a 401k to gold IRA rollover, you can put old retirement plans to use. It can be a fantastic way to diversify your retirement portfolio with physical gold, and even other precious metals.
Possible Penalties
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) doesn’t have specific rules prohibiting investors from converting their employer-sponsored retirement plan to a self-directed gold IRA. However, you can still incur tax penalties when doing a 401k to gold IRA rollover incorrectly. Here are some common fines investors suffer when not performing the transfer properly:
Early Distribution Penalty
Investors aren’t permitted to take any money out of their retirement accounts until the age of 59½, barring some rare exceptions. Known as “early distributions”, these premature withdrawals are subject to a 10% fee from the IRS. For instance, if you take out $5,000 from your 401k, Uncle Sam would fine you $500. This could happen if you fail to complete an indirect rollover within the required time frame.
Income Tax
The pre-taxed dollars you’ve accumulated in your 401k are still subject to standard income tax. If you make the rollover to a gold IRA successfully, these taxes shouldn’t apply until you start withdrawing from the account in retirement or have to take the required minimum distributions (RMDs). Alternatively, if you fail to make the rollover in time, the IRS might levy income tax on the full amount you intended to move. This would come on top of the early distribution penalty.
Prohibited Transactions
Another potential penalty to keep in mind comes from making prohibited transactions. Although a gold IRA opens investors to a wider array of assets than 401ks, it still has limitations on certain products and purchase behaviors. Ignoring these restrictions can place you in hot water with the IRS, resulting in fines or outright disqualification from the special account. It’s always sound advice is to consult your tax advisor and/or your precious metals IRA advisor before making a purchase within a gold IRA.
401(k) vs Gold IRA: Key Differences
Although 401(k)s are among the most commonly held retirement accounts, they restrict investors to traditional paper-backed assets. This means your nest egg is only held together with stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. Conversely, a gold IRA allows investors to diversify with physical precious metals.
Don’t forget about employer restrictions.
IRS rules aren’t the only restrictions to keep in mind when making a 401k to gold IRA rollover. When you set up an employer-sponsored retirement account, you agreed to a set of terms and conditions. Some companies implement mandatory waiting periods before funds can be removed and even prevent employees from rolling over into certain types of accounts. You should work with a Precious Metals Advisor to determine the rules surrounding your current retirement plan to make sure you’re not violating any agreements.
How do I transfer my 401k to gold without penalty?
Don’t let these potential penalties scare you from converting your 401k to a gold IRA. With a clear plan and high attention to detail, it’s possible to navigate these pitfalls for a successful transfer. Following these tips can make the process smooth and predictable:
Know the rollover rules.
There are two kinds of rollovers: direct and indirect. The former sees funds sent directly from your 401k to the new gold IRA without ever crossing your hands. Conversely, through an indirect rollover, investors receive a check for the transferred amount which they need to deposit within 60 days. The type of rollover you perform is ultimately your decision, but knowing the rollover rules is essential for avoiding penalties.
Stick to IRA-eligible products.
As mentioned before, the IRS places restrictions on what you can purchase through a gold IRA. This includes limitations on the types of metals, the kinds of assets, purity ratings, and more. Sticking to IRA-eligible precious metals will save you from unwanted IRS attention and potentially costly penalties while putting you on track for a solid retirement portfolio.
Work with a precious metals IRA advisor.
One of the best ways to avoid penalties when deciding to rollover a 401k to a self-directed gold IRA is to work with a precious metals IRA advisor who has experience with a precious metal IRA rollover. These professionals assist you one-on-one throughout the whole process from account set-up to the purchase of metals. They can even handle a lot of the groundwork such as research and paperwork on your behalf. Make sure to choose an experienced provider that’s been through the process enough times to know what to expect.
401k to Gold IRA Rollover Guide: The 3 Basic Steps
1. Set up a gold IRA.
The first step of the rollover process is establishing your gold IRA. This is achieved by working with a custodian who administers the account on your behalf. The IRS accredits a wide range of custodians or trustees that must meet strict requirements to qualify.
2. Rollover your funds.
Once the gold IRA is set up, you can initiate the transfer to your 401k. Since every 401k is governed by employer-specific rules, everyone’s rollover might look different. Some might require paperwork while others can be processed digitally. Your precious metals advisor will work with you to determine the specific rules surrounding your 401k to make sure everything is done properly.
3. Invest in precious metals.
After the funds are successfully transferred, it’s time to start investing in precious metals. An experienced and reputable precious metals advisor will be able to suggest eligible assets that fit within your investment goals and budget limitations.
Kickstart the Gold IRA rollover process at SBC Gold.
Executing a 401k to gold IRA rollover allows you to convert a possibly dormant or forgotten employer-based retirement plan into a diversified investment vehicle, where ownership of physical gold is possible. The process might be detailed and involved, but it’s much easier with some support. Working with a precious metal IRA advisor here at SBC Gold can help make the process much easier than going it alone.
Please reach out to us by calling toll-free at 1-888-812-9892 or by using our live chat function. One of our precious metals advisors will be happy to help you kickstart the IRA rollover process.