According to the IRS, every individual retirement account (IRAs) must have a custodian. This is practically one thing that all IRA accounts have in common. 

Luckily, finding a custodian is easy. But to choose the right one, you must find out the type of IRA you need and the type of investment you need to make with it. The bottom line, you want something that can help you attain wealth during your retirement period. 

In this article, we will discuss some of the roles of a good custodian and their characteristics. You can also read more reviews on the best gold ira custodian 2021 to find out more.

Why Gold IRA Custodians are Becoming More Abundant

If you decide to invest in Gold IRA, you will definitely need a trustee to oversee your investment. Still, you will need the services of a custodian for any other form of Individual Retirement Account investment. Here are some of the reasons why:

• Required for IRA

IRA itself is a custodian account. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires every investor to have a custodian for their metals. In fact, it’s the only way you can hold gold in an IRA. 

The custodian completes all the transactions including paperwork for the taxing authority. They also oversee all the basic functions of the account including buying and selling investments for the IRA and sharing statements of investment performance.

• Banks, brokerages, and mutual funds

Banks, mutual fund companies, and most brokerages are among the top IRA accounts providers. They also serve as trustees for the IRA account they provide. 

The process of opening an IRA account within these institutions is easy and simple as well. Simply, all you need is to fill in a form and provide the required opening deposit. Alternatively, you can use funds from a 401(k) as your opening deposit or any other retirement account that you have.

• Self-directed IRA

Besides precious metals, there are other investment options for an IRA including real estate, stocks bonds among others. To add these items to your IRA account, you must have a self-directed IRA custodian. The custodian handles all your IRA investments. This could be your annual savings or a rolled-over 401(k). The trustee also makes sure that your IRA account follows the IRS guidelines. 

• Protection from unwarranted taxes

Even though there are multiple ways you can save and invest for your future, none is comparable to IRAs. The benefits of having an IRA account are vast including protection from unwarranted taxes. IRS ensures that the taxes imposed on those with an Individual Retirement Account are standardized. However, you must make sure your paperwork is well taken care of to prevent things from going wrong. This is why you need a good custodian to help you file your paperwork properly and timely.

• To purchase gold

As mentioned, you cannot include individually acquired gold into your investment account without the help of a custodian. You will need a custodian to buy and store the metal for you. He/she will be responsible for all the administrative work involved. Also, you will need a custodian to roll over your traditional IRA. This way, you will not attract any penalties from the IRS.

• Investment advice

Most reputable gold IRA custodians have vast experience in this field. As such, they are most likely to give the best financial advice. For example, they can help you choose the right precious metal to invest in depending on the status of the current market. Read more insights here https://africa.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/a-gold-ira-is-a-special-retirement-account-that-allows-you-to-invest-in-gold-bullion/whb89jz 

Types of Custodians for Standard IRAs

Now that you know the roles of a custodian, let’s look at the various types available.

• Banks

Banks are considered among the safest places you can store your valuables. you can also buy your metals from a bank and expect quality. 

• Insurance Companies

An insurance company can be either fixed or variable. They provide flexible premium annuities as basic IRA including value protection, automatic account management, and death benefit options.

• Robo-Advisors

These are automated online investment platforms that provide portfolio management advice to investors. The fact that these platforms are automated, means less human interaction, therefore IRA’s fees, cost, and other expenses are low.

• Mutual Fund Companies

This type of company allows you to invest in ETFs or mutual funds. They also act as custodians of the investment.

• Brokerage Firms

If you’re considering investing in individual stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or ETFs, a brokerage firm can also be a good entry point.

Features of the Best Custodians

• Wide Investment Selection

A good custodian should be able to provide multiple investment options including bonds, individual stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. Self-directed IRA investors are advised to go for non-traditional investment plans.

• Low fees

Cost is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a custodian. Different custodians charge different fees including annual account maintenance fees, initial registration fees, commissions, loads for mutual funds among others. 

With this in mind, you may want to consider the lowest bidder. Start by comparing prices from different custodians and choose a custodian that offers quality services at a lower fee. For example, if you’re considering mutual funds, go for someone who offers several no-load mutual funds.

• Good Customer Service

Managing any form of investment can be frustrating especially if you lack the right channels. You will need a skilled and knowledgeable specialist to guide you through. The custodian you opt for should be willing to provide complete and timely answers to your queries.

• User-Friendly Website

Make sure the company’s website is easy to read and navigate. Find out if the website is easily accessible online and whether it is a comfortable fit for you. Click here to read more about gold IRA.

Conclusion

Gold IRA custodians play a crucial role in your financial journey. This is why you need to choose your custodian wisely. These trustees are in charge of securing your precious metal and ensuring your investment plan is as per the IRS guidelines. They also ensure your accounts stays tax-free or in a tax-deferred state. Keep in mind that, the type of trustee you choose depends on what you wish to do with your IRA. For example, if you choose to invest in mutual funds particularly go for a mutual fund company.

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