Support built for gold & precious metals investors

Since most states provide little regulatory oversight of precious metals dealers, it’s important to do your own due diligence before investing IRA funds. Here are key steps:

• Check credibility: Look up the dealer on the Better Business Bureau for accreditation, ratings, years in business, and any consumer complaints.
• Verify memberships: Reputable dealers may belong to groups like the American Numismatic Association (ANA), Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), or Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA), which require adherence to ethical standards.
• Watch for red flags: Avoid dealers who use high-pressure sales tactics or request personal details about your finances, age, or retirement savings.
• Stay informed: Review the CFTC Precious Metals Fraud Advisory and consumer protection video to recognize common scams.
• Understand pricing: Know the difference between spot, bid, and ask prices before making purchases.

Additional resources are available on STRATA’s Protect Yourself page

STRATA does not buy, sell, or exchange precious metals. You must place your order directly with the dealer of your choice. After initiating the transaction, complete and submit STRATA’s Investment Direction & Disclosures – Precious Metals form, including:

• Dealer Invoice – Itemized (type, quantity, and price of metals)
• Client/Dealer Agreement – If not already on file

When completing the form, you’ll also select a depository. By law, you may not take possession of precious metals while they are held in a self-directed IRA.

Tracking your depository:
Once your metals arrive, your STRATA online account will be updated. Log in and go to the Positions tab. Hover over the globe icon next to your metal's description to view your elected depository.

For detailed steps, download STRATA’s Precious Metals Investment Checklist.

A required minimum distribution (RMD) is the minimum amount that the IRS requires you to withdraw from your IRA each year. The exact amount will vary from year to year based on certain factors. The Secure 2.0 Act raised the age at which IRA owners must begin taking RMDs to 73. 

If an RMD is due on your account, STRATA Trust Company will provide accountholders that meet the RMD age requirement with the calculated RMD by January 31st of each year. 

Learn more → RMD info

Transaction fees may apply when taking a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). These can include:

• Wire fees
• Shipping or overnight delivery fees
• Withholding fees (federal or state)
• Other processing fees

 Fees and tax withholding elections are not included in your gross distribution amount. Be sure your IRA maintains enough cash to cover both your distribution and any applicable fees or withholding.

For full details, please review STRATA’s Fee Schedule.

Some IRA assets are much harder to liquidate; distributing the RMD in shares of the investment may also be complicated or not possible. Despite these issues, there is no IRS exception to the RMD requirements for illiquid assets. Consider these possible solutions:

Take From One Account- RMD rules allow you to aggregate (or combine) your RMDs from your IRAs and take the total amount from one account. So, if you have more than one IRA, you can calculate the RMD amount for each IRA and add them together. If you have one IRA that is illiquid, you could simply take the RMD for that account from another IRA. Remember, there are limits here. You cannot satisfy your RMD for your IRA from a workplace plan or a Roth IRA. Note: You cannot combine your owned IRAs with those of your spouse or with IRAs that you have inherited.

Take an In-Kind Distribution- For many asset types, it is possible to take a distribution of part or all shares to satisfy your RMD. If an in-kind distribution is requested, the asset will be retitled in your own name. 

Add a Cash Contribution- If you are eligible to inject some cash into an IRA in the current tax year your RMD is due, you may use these funds to satisfy your RMD. The SECURE Act makes this possible by allowing IRA contributions at any age, but you would need to have earned income and you would be limited to $7,000.

To avoid last-minute mistakes and stiff IRS penalties, it is important to plan ahead. Talk to your financial advisor or tax attorney to understand how to fulfill your RMD requirements and what is best for your situation.

Ready to get started? Click here.

To liquidate precious metals, you must work directly with your precious metals dealer. STRATA does not buy or sell metals. Once you and your dealer agree on what to sell and the buyback amount, the dealer will issue an invoice on behalf of your IRA.

What STRATA needs to process your request:

1. Client Agreement – provided by your dealer
2. Purchase Order/Invoice – provided by your dealer
3. STRATA Investment Direction & Disclosures – Precious Metals form – submitted by you, with uploads of the agreement and invoice (amounts must match)

Processing times:

• Receiving Precious Metals – 5–13 business days typically (includes STRATA processing, depository transfers, and shipping).
• Receiving Cash – Complete STRATA’s IRA Distribution Request in addition to the above. Once proceeds are received, STRATA processes distributions within 24–48 hours if the form is in good order.

Tip: Keep your contact information updated to avoid delays. Use STRATA’s Information Change Request – IRA Account form to update your details promptly.

For related steps, see: How to Take a Cash Distribution from Your STRATA IRA

Per IRS regulations, to qualify as IRA-allowable precious metals and be accepted by STRATA, the following minimum fineness requirements must be met:

• Gold must be 99.5% pure, silver must be 99.9% pure, and platinum and palladium must both be 99.95% pure.

• Bars, rounds, and coins must be produced by a refiner, assayer, or manufacturer that is accredited/certified by NYMEX, COMEX, NYSE/Liffe, LME, LBMA, LPPM, TOCOM, ISO 9000, or national government mint. Precious metals must also have the producer’s mint mark and meet minimum fineness requirements. 

• Proof coins must be encapsulated in complete, original mint packaging, in excellent condition, and include the certificate of authenticity.

• Small bullion bars (other than 400-ounce gold, 100-ounce gold, 1000-ounce silver; 50-ounce platinum, and 100-ounce palladium bars) must be manufactured to exact weight specifications.

• Non-proof (bullion) coins must be in brilliant uncirculated condition and free from damage.

The following list contains examples of precious metals that cannot be held in an IRA.

To see examples of IRA-allowable gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bullion, please visit Types Allowed, or for a more in-depth guide of acceptable/unacceptable precious metals visit our IRA Allowable Precious Metals page. 

Your quarterly statement shows the spot value of your precious metals. Spot value is calculated as the current spot price × the ounces of fine metal in each coin or bar.

• Reported values do not include dealer mark-ups, premiums, commissions, or markdowns.
• Spot values are for reference only and should not be viewed as a firm buy price from any dealer.
• STRATA does not independently determine or guarantee precious metals pricing.

For real-time pricing or dealer-specific fees and commissions, please contact your precious metals dealer directly. You may also reference resources such as BullionValues.org.

See STRATA’s Important Disclosures for Your Precious Metals IRA for more details

No. Per IRS guidelines, IRA-owned assets must remain in the custody of your IRA custodian (STRATA) and stored with an approved third-party depository until sold or distributed. STRATA does not physically hold metals.

Taking possession:
The only way to take physical delivery of your metals is through an in-kind distribution from your IRA. Keep in mind:

• This is considered a taxable event unless you meet IRS distribution requirements.
• Taxes and early withdrawal penalties may apply.
• The transaction will be reported to the IRS.

Always consult a qualified tax professional before taking any action.

Learn more about how to request an in-kind distribution.

For general accountholder information inquiries, our team is available Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. CST.

• Email Us – Write to us at [email protected].
• Online Service Request Form – Submit a request, and a member of our team will call you to discuss your needs at a time that works best for you.
• Book a Meeting – Schedule an appointment with one of our Client Services Representatives.
• Call Us Directly – Reach us at 866-928-9394.