A Gold IRA isn’t a separate kind of retirement account — it’s a self-directed version of an existing IRA type that allows you to hold physical precious metals instead of (or in addition to) traditional paper assets. That means the key question isn’t whether you can have a Gold IRA, but which type of IRA you can use to fund one.
The good news: most of the common IRA structures are eligible.
The main IRA types that can become a Gold IRA
Here are the retirement accounts most commonly used to hold physical gold.
Traditional IRA
A Traditional IRA is the most popular starting point for a Gold IRA.
You can fund it with:
• annual contributions
• transfers from another Traditional IRA
• rollovers from a 401(k), 403(b), or similar plan
With a Traditional Gold IRA:
• contributions may be tax-deductible
• growth is tax-deferred
• taxes are paid when you take distributions in retirement
For investors who expect to be in a lower tax bracket later, this structure is often ideal.
Roth IRA
A Roth Gold IRA works just like a standard Roth IRA — except the assets inside can include physical gold.
Key features:
• contributions are made with after-tax dollars
• qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free
• no required minimum distributions during your lifetime
This option is especially attractive for investors who believe taxes will be higher in the future and want to lock in today’s rates.
SEP IRA
A SEP IRA is designed for self-employed individuals and small-business owners.
It can be converted into a Gold IRA using:
• employer contributions
• transfers from another SEP IRA
• rollovers from qualified plans
Because contribution limits are higher than traditional IRAs, SEP Gold IRAs are often used by business owners who want to place a meaningful portion of retirement savings into physical metals.
SIMPLE IRA
A SIMPLE IRA can also be used for gold — with one important rule.
If the account is less than two years old, it cannot be rolled into a Gold IRA without triggering penalties. Once that two-year period has passed, it can be transferred or rolled over just like any other IRA.
What about 401(k)s and other employer plans?
A 401(k) isn’t an IRA — but it can still become the funding source for a Gold IRA.
You can usually roll over:
• a former employer’s 401(k)
• a 403(b), 457, or TSP
• certain pension distributions
Once rolled into an IRA, those funds can be used to open and fund a Gold IRA.
This is one of the most common ways people move retirement money into physical gold.
Accounts that usually don’t qualify
Some accounts are not suitable for Gold IRAs:
• active 401(k)s with your current employer (unless the plan allows in-service rollovers)
• custodial accounts and taxable brokerage accounts
• inherited IRAs (special rules apply and require careful handling)
In these cases, eligibility depends on specific plan rules and should be reviewed carefully before moving funds.
The bottom line
A Gold IRA isn’t limited to just one type of retirement account. You can use:
• Traditional IRAs
• Roth IRAs
• SEP IRAs
• SIMPLE IRAs (after two years)
• rollovers from former employer plans
As long as the account is structured as a self-directed IRA and follows IRS rules for precious metals, it can hold physical gold.
That flexibility is what makes Gold IRAs so powerful: they let you add real, tangible assets to nearly any retirement strategy — without giving up the tax advantages you’ve worked so hard to build.
