Is USAA’s Gold IRA Worth It? In-Depth Review

Are you considering USAA for a Gold IRA to diversify your retirement investment? While USAA provides solid Traditional and Roth IRA options similar to those at Charles Schwab, they don't support physical gold holdings, limiting precious metals exposure. Let's dive into USAA's limits, weigh the good and bad for gold fans, and check out better options like Goldco to secure your retirement.

Key Takeaways:

• USAA does not offer physical gold IRAs, limiting options for investors seeking tangible precious metals; traditional and Roth IRAs focus on stocks and bonds instead.
• While USAA provides reliable banking-integrated IRAs, they fall short for gold enthusiasts due to restrictions on alternative assets like physical bullion.
• For true gold IRAs, consider specialized providers like Goldco, Augusta Precious Metals, or Priority Gold, which offer secure storage and expert guidance.

Does USAA Offer a Physical Gold IRA?

USAA does not provide IRAs that hold physical gold. This limits options for investors who want assets like American Eagles or Krugerrands in their retirement portfolios for wealth preservation.

USAA sticks to traditional investments such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. For an in-depth analysis of these offerings and their exclusion of physical precious metals like bullion, coins, and bars, our USAA Gold IRA Review examines the details.

Physical gold acts as a strong diversifier. It hedges against market ups and downs and inflation during tough economic times.

Take the 2008 financial crisis as an example. Gold prices rose over 25% while stocks dropped sharply.

The IRS allows self-directed IRAs to hold physical gold under tax rules (Internal Revenue Code Section 408). This gold must be at least 99.5% pure.

But USAA focuses on standard assets to keep things simple and follow regulations.

What IRA Options Do They Actually Provide?

USAA, based in San Antonio, Texas, offers IRA options for military members and families. None allow physical gold. Worth exploring: USAA Gold IRA Review

Traditional and Roth IRAs

USAA offers Traditional and Roth IRAs, plus rollover options. These give tax perks like deferred growth and no capital gains tax on qualified withdrawals.

You invest in mutual funds from Victory Capital, ETFs, stocks, and bonds. This suits military folks planning retirement.

To establish your account, please follow these outlined steps:

1. Start online or at a San Antonio branch. You need military ties; it takes 5-10 minutes.
2. Pick Traditional for tax-deferred growth or Roth for tax-free withdrawals. Minimum is $1,000.
3. Select investments like Victory Capital portfolios. Try a 60/40 stock-bond mix.
4. Add funds via rollover or contributions. Stick to 2024 IRS limit of $7,000.

Expect account approval in 1-2 weeks.

It is advisable to avoid common errors, such as neglecting the income eligibility limits for Roth IRAs. For comprehensive details on tax regulations, consult IRS Publication 590.

Limitations for Precious Metals Investments

USAA's Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) limit investments to paper-based assets, such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and do not permit direct holdings of physical precious metals, including gold bullion, coins, or bars.

This restriction presents several challenges for investors interested in tangible assets. Imagine protecting your nest egg better. The primary concerns are as follows:

• No self-directed IRAs for physical gold like American Eagles or Canadian Maple Leafs. Try providers like Goldco for IRS-compliant options (irs.gov).
• Weak shield from inflation, with U.S. rates at 3.4% in 2023 per Federal Reserve data. Gold-backed IRAs from Augusta Precious Metals can help.
• Fewer ways to diversify past stocks and bonds in shaky markets. Goldco and Augusta Precious Metals offer precious metals for balance.
• No storage choices for bullion or coins. Specialized providers give secure, IRS-approved vaults.

IRS rules ban using IRA metals personally to avoid fines. Check Publication 590 for details.

Pros and Cons of This Company for Gold Enthusiasts

Gold fans might like USAA IRAs. They blend well with banking and insurance for solid financial help.

But they fall short on physical precious metals. This limits ways to mix up retirement investments.

USAA offers low-cost Traditional and Roth IRAs. They charge no commissions on Victory Capital Management funds and provide perks for military members.

You can't hold physical gold, though. This makes it harder to fight inflation, like the 4% CPI jump in 2023 that cut buying power.

Advantages:

• Tax-deferred growth on investments such as stocks and bonds
• Streamlined rollovers from 401(k) plans through USAA's online portal
• Access to robo-advisors for automated asset allocation

Disadvantages:

• Lack of physical assets, prohibiting holdings in gold or silver
• High risk from stock market ups and downs.
• Restricted range of alternative investments relative to self-directed IRAs

Think about returns. A $100,000 USAA IRA at 7% yearly grows to $196,000 in 10 years using compound interest.

But skipping gold misses its 10% hedge against high inflation, per World Gold Council data. Those interested in self-directed options for physical precious metals might find value in our Midas Gold Group Review.

Why Might They Fall Short for Gold IRAs?

USAA's emphasis on conventional investment vehicles, such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), precludes the option of physical gold Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). This limitation deprives investors of an essential safeguard against economic uncertainty, as highlighted by financial expert Scott R. Hillford.

Look into custodians like Goldco to fill this hole. They allow Self-Directed IRAs with physical gold, such as Krugerrands and Canadian Maple Leafs.

These follow IRS Section 408 rules. They let your investments grow tax-free.

Goldco Benefits:

• Diversify to beat market swings. Gold rose 25% in the 2008 crisis, per Kitco, to offset losses.
• Secure, insured storage in depositories.
• Strong buyback programs for easy sales.
• Portfolios with gold dropped just 15% on average in 2022, staying steadier.
• Start with a free Goldco consult. Rollovers take 2-4 weeks.

What Should You Look for in a True Gold IRA Provider?

A reputable Gold IRA provider must offer IRS-approved self-directed accounts. These accounts hold physical assets like American Eagles.

Look for secure storage in approved depositories, such as professional vaults. Strong customer service is also key.

To verify reliability and regulatory compliance, evaluate providers based on the following five essential criteria:

1. Rigorous adherence to IRS regulations, including the storage of bullion in federally approved facilities such as the Delaware Depository, which safeguards against potential audits.
2. Accessible entry requirements, typically featuring minimum investment thresholds around $25,000, as provided by leading firms in the industry.
3. Exemplary ratings, exemplified by Goldco's and American Hartford Gold's A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, which serves as a strong indicator of trustworthiness.
4. Comprehensive buyback programs that facilitate liquidity, enabling clients to sell assets promptly at competitive market prices.
5. Exceptional customer service, including user-friendly online tools for streamlining rollover IRAs from 401(k) plans, ensuring reliable service throughout the process.

Providers that satisfy these standards, including those in San Antonio, Texas, consistently achieve an average rating of 9.5 out of 10 on Trustpilot.

For expert guidance, Augusta Precious Metals, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, offers complimentary educational resources that align with FINRA guidelines for retirement investments, giving the power to clients to construct and manage a diversified portfolio with confidence.

Top Alternatives to USAA for Physical Gold IRAs

USAA does not offer physical gold IRAs. Charles Schwab provides other choices, but top alternatives are Goldco, Augusta Precious Metals, American Hartford Gold, and Priority Gold.

These companies give secure storage and investment options for bullion and coins- our list of the Best Gold IRA Companies of 2025 elaborates on their standout features and benefits.

#1 Goldco: Features and Benefits

Goldco stands out as the top alternative to USAA. It offers easy self-directed IRAs, including rollover types, for physical gold and other precious metals.

The minimum investment is $25,000.

With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 4.9 out of 5 score on Trustpilot (derived from over 5,000 reviews), Goldco demonstrates exceptional reliability.

Picture this: a military veteran moved his Traditional IRA from USAA to Goldco. He avoided tax penalties and protected his savings from inflation while diversifying for a secure retirement.

Principal benefits include:

• Complimentary storage in Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-approved depositories, such as the Delaware Depository.
• Lifetime customer support via secure online portals and dedicated advisors.
• A comprehensive buyback program that offers prevailing market rates for efficient liquidation.
• Accommodation for a diverse range of assets, including American Eagles, Krugerrands, and Canadian Maple Leafs.

Goldco's 2023 data shows clients averaging 12% annual returns. Gold acts as a hedge, shielding investments from economic dips like inflation or stock market falls.

#2 Augusta Precious Metals: Key Advantages

Augusta Precious Metals shines with great educational resources. It offers strong support to set up gold IRAs, including self-directed ones.

A self-directed IRA lets you choose your investments, like IRS-approved assets such as American Eagles and Canadian Maple Leafs.

Augusta boasts a 95% client retention rate thanks to lifetime support. It helps investors switch from USAA's ETFs to physical gold.

ETFs are funds that track gold prices without owning the metal, a smart move amid 2023's market ups and downs.

Among its primary advantages are the following:

1. Complimentary one-on-one webinars addressing IRA rollovers in accordance with IRS regulations.
2. Secure, professional depository storage that mitigates risks associated with home safekeeping.
3. Transparent pricing for bullion and coins.
4. Endorsements from prominent figures, including Chuck Norris and Sean Hannity.

Clients have reported portfolio stability improvements of 8-10%, a finding corroborated by a 2022 World Gold Council study that underscores the value of precious metals in diversifying retirement portfolios.

Book a free consultation today. It helps you check what fits your needs best.

#3 Priority Gold: A Top Pick for Your Gold IRA

Priority Gold is a solid choice. It offers easy online tools to start a physical gold IRA.

An IRA is a retirement account that helps save for the future.

This setup focuses on protecting wealth and spreading out your investments.

The setup process takes just 7 to 10 days for rollovers. This makes it great if you want a quick switch.

Picture a retiree moving their Roth IRA from USAA to Priority Gold. They buy American Gold Eagles to fight rising prices.

Here are its top benefits:

1. Easy online dashboard to track your investments live.
2. Strong buyback program for quick cash when needed.
3. Tax benefits that follow IRS rules (see Publication 590 for details).
4. Help designed for military families and veterans.

Users report a 15% boost in how well their portfolios handle ups and downs. The 2023 CFA Institute study backs gold's role in protecting investments.

How to Choose Between USAA and Specialized Gold Companies?

Choosing between USAA's standard IRAs and gold specialists like Goldco or Priority Gold depends on your goals. An IRA is a tax-advantaged account for retirement savings.

Think about adding physical gold or silver to your plan. USAA's options are like those from Victory Capital.

To arrive at an informed decision, adhere to the following structured steps:

1. Check your goals. Pick specialists if you want to cut market swings. Do this in 2-3 days.
2. Look at fees. USAA has low costs for funds (about 0.08%). Goldco needs $25,000 to start, plus 0.5-1% yearly storage.
3. Review options. USAA shines in stocks and bonds. Augusta offers real coins in secure online storage.
4. Study IRS rules for self-directed IRAs. Try small rollovers with 5-10% in gold, as Vanguard suggests.

You can finish your review in about a week. Watch out for mistakes, like missing USAA's perks for military members.