IRS-Sourced · Editorially Independent · 2026

Retirement rollover planning, built on the IRS rulebook — not a sales script.

Plain-English guides on 401(k) and IRA rollover mechanics, Roth conversions, and how a physical-metals IRA actually works under IRC Section 408(m)(3). Written by a licensed Enrolled Agent, sourced from IRS publications and the custodian rulebooks. No dealer spin.

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IRS citations on every claim

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What this site is — and what it isn't.

RSP is an independent editorial resource for people planning a rollover. We are not a dealer, not a custodian, and not licensed to give personalized advice. Here's what we actually do.

IRS-sourced explanations

Every rule we describe traces back to a specific IRS publication or IRC section. We publish the citation next to the claim so you can verify it in one click. If we can't source it, we don't publish it.

Independent, and paid transparently

Our editor is a licensed Enrolled Agent, not a metals salesperson. When you request a rollover match, we introduce you to one specialist based on your rollover size — Augusta Precious Metals for $50k+ accounts, GoldenCrest Metals for smaller ones. That introduction is how RSP is compensated. You won't be handed off to a lead-broker network or contacted by every gold company on the internet.

Balance-tier matched

The custodian and paperwork requirements at $60k are not the same as at $600k. Our lead form asks your rollover-eligible balance up front so we can send you a guide that actually fits your situation.

Compare gold-IRA companies on the fundamentals.

Minimum, published fee ranges, storage arrangement, and our editorial rating. Ranges are published as of November 2026; each company's own disclosure is the authoritative source.

Affiliate disclosure: RSP receives compensation when readers open an account with certain companies below (Augusta Precious Metals, GoldenCrest Metals). Compensation does not affect the fee data shown or the editorial ratings — those come from each company's published disclosures and our own comparison methodology.

Company	Minimum Rollover	Annual Fee Range	Storage Arrangement	Editorial Rating
Augusta Precious Metals	$50,000	$180 – $280	Delaware Depository (segregated option)	★★★★★ 4.9
GoldenCrest Metals	$10,000	$150 – $250	Brink's / IDS	★★★★☆ 4.6
Birch Gold Group	$10,000	$180 – $280	Brink's / Delaware Depository	★★★★☆ 4.5
Goldco	$25,000	$175 – $260	Delaware Depository / IDS Texas	★★★★☆ 4.4
American Hartford Gold	$10,000	$180 – $230	Delaware / Brink's / IDS	★★★★☆ 4.2

Fee ranges reflect each company's own published disclosure (annual custodial + storage) as of Nov 2026. Setup fees, wire fees, and any early-liquidation charges are not included in this row — see the linked company disclosures for the complete schedule.

How to use RSP.

Three steps — read, compare, request. We never hand your contact info to a phone-sales floor.

Read the fundamentals.

Start with the free rollover primer and the IRC Section 408(m)(3) explainer. Both are short, sourced, and stripped of the "gold sales" tone you'll see on dealer sites.

Compare the working options.

Use the company comparison table and the rollover tax-impact calculator to model what your actual paperwork and after-tax numbers look like.

Request the balance-matched guide.

Select your rollover-eligible balance tier below and we'll email a printable 2026 guide tuned to that size — including which companies even accept that amount.

Independent · Reader-supported

RetirementSavingsPlanner Editorial Team

We publish plain-English guides on rollover mechanics, Roth conversion ladders, and precious-metals IRA rules. Every guide cites the IRS source document and each company's own published fee disclosure, and we say when a company is a poor fit. We are not tax advisors; check your situation with a licensed professional before you move money.

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Get the 2026 Rollover Investor Guide.

A printable PDF tuned to your rollover-eligible balance. Emailed in about three minutes — no phone call, no sales rep.

Step 1 of 2

What's your rollover-eligible balance?

The guide we send changes based on your balance — custodian minimums, paperwork, and eligible arrangements are different at $60k than at $600k.

Under $50,000GoldenCrest match $50,000 – $250,000GoldenCrest or Augusta $250,000 – $500,000Augusta concierge $500,000+Augusta VIP

First name

Last name

Email address

State of residence

Phone (optional — used only if we can't reach you by email)

Used only by the specialist we match you with. See our Privacy Policy.

One specialist intro. No lead-broker network, no daily calls from a dozen gold companies.

Common questions.

The six questions readers most often send us before requesting a guide.

Is RSP a gold dealer or custodian?▾

No. RSP is an editorial publisher. We do not sell metals, act as a custodian, or take custody of any account. We publish independent guides on the mechanics of rollovers, Roth conversions, and physical-metals IRAs, and we refer readers to third-party gold IRA companies for the actual account opening. When a reader opens an account via one of our referral links, the company pays us a fee — that relationship is disclosed on every page.

Why do you ask for my rollover balance up front?▾

Because the guide we send changes based on it. Most custodians have a minimum rollover; some are $10,000, some are $50,000, some require six-figure balances for their better-priced storage tiers. Sending you a "$500k+ segregated-storage" guide when you have a $40k IRA wastes your time.

What is IRC Section 408(m)(3) and why do I keep seeing it?▾

It's the section of the Internal Revenue Code that defines which precious-metals coins and bars are eligible to be held inside an IRA. Common eligibility criteria include a minimum fineness (0.995 for gold, 0.999 for silver) and specific U.S. Mint or approved refinery origin. Our full explainer walks through which coins qualify and which do not.

Will you call me after I fill in the form?▾

No. The guide arrives by email, typically in under five minutes. If you specifically request a follow-up call in the form, we forward the request to the specialist you selected; otherwise we do not call.

Do you recommend a specific company?▾

We publish an editorial rating on each company we cover, based on published fee schedules, storage arrangements, reader feedback, and BBB record. We do not issue personalized recommendations — that would require a licensed advisor relationship, which we don't have with individual readers.

Is there a tax cost to moving my 401(k) into a metals IRA?▾

A direct trustee-to-trustee transfer generally has no immediate federal tax cost — the funds move from one qualified account to another. A 60-day indirect rollover has more risk (mandatory 20% withholding, one-per-year limit under IRC Section 408(d)(3)(B)). Our full rollover mechanics guide walks through both.