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Learning Center

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Access the largest knowledge base for Self-Directed IRAs. Expand your investor knowledge with articles, whitepapers, practical guides and tons of other educational resources.

About Entrust

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For 40 years, The Entrust Group has provided account administration services for self-directed retirement and tax-advantaged plans. Entrust can assist you in purchasing alternative investments with your retirement funds, and administer the buying and selling of assets that are typically unavailable through banks and brokerage firms.

Choosing a Self-Directed IRA Investment Precious Metals Depository

Choosing a Precious Metal Depository for Your Self-Directed IRA InvestmentThe IRS requires all physical metals invested with a self-directed IRA be securely stored in an approved metals depository or vault for safe keeping. Taking physical possession of metals held by your IRA is not allowed by the IRS until you take a distribution.

It Should Be Your Choice

Being able to choose your own dealer and precious metals depository is very important. Some self-directed administrators limit your options. Make sure to do your due diligence on any dealer, depository, and IRA administrator you are considering to ensure they meet your investment needs. Entrust self-directed IRA clients have the ability to choose not only the precious metals dealer and the type of metals they want to invest in, but also the storage facility where their metals will be secured. Investors purchasing precious metals through their IRAs also have the option to store the metals not just domestically, but also offshore.

Types of Depositories

There are two ways metals can be stored at depositories, allocated or unallocated. Many depositories store and hold the metals in allocated accounts, meaning the actual precious metals that were shipped are being held in a separate area, similar to a safety deposit box. At point of distribution, the exact same precious metal that was originally deposited will be shipped out of the facility.

Unallocated storage is also an option where the metals are comingled with other metals based on the size/weight and refinery of coins and minted year. At point of distribution, the metal will be the identical size/weight, refinery or same year coins that will be shipped out, but not necessarily the exact metal you purchased.

Fees vary by depository and it is important to do your due diligence to compare. From a budget standpoint, investors should remember that the annual depository fees need to be paid from your self-directed IRA funds. These charges cannot be paid personally.

Choosing the Precious Metals Investment

Once you choose your precious metal dealer and depository, the next step is deciding your precious metal investment. Entrust (or your current administrator/custodian) will then send the funds to the dealer to purchase the metals in the name of your IRA with the depository shipping instructions. Your dealer will then ship the precious metals to the depository for safekeeping. Your Precious Metal IRA account value is updated regularly, and if you are an Entrust client, you can access this information anytime, online.

If you want to sell your precious metals, the process is very similar. You identify a dealer to purchase your precious metal(s), instruct Entrust (administrator) to sell them and request their shipment from the depository to that dealer. The profits are then returned to your self-directed IRA.

We Make It Easy

As the nation's leading administrator of self-directed retirement plans, Entrust is equipped to handle the unique requirements involved with holding precious metals in your IRA—from arranging for storage with the depository of your choice and providing valuations for IRS reporting, to recordkeeping and administration. Talk to us today to discuss your options for a Precious Metals IRA. 

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Self-Directed IRAs:
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