Finite supply, no printing press
Governments can create dollars at will. Nobody can print more gold — its supply grows only about 1–2% a year through mining. That scarcity is the whole point: it can't be debased by decree.
Protecting retirement savings since the dollar left gold · 1971
Step off the
sinking dollar.
Protect what you've built.
Every year, the money in your account quietly buys a little less. For Americans nearing retirement, physical gold and gold IRAs offer a calm, time-tested way to keep your savings working — backed by something governments can't print.
✓ No-obligation consultation✓ Your information stays private
$35 → $2k+
Gold per oz, 1971 → today
~87%
Of its purchasing power the dollar has lost since 1971
$35 → $2k+
Gold price per ounce, 1971 to today
1971
Year the dollar left the gold standard
Figures are approximate, rounded, and for illustration. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI and historical gold prices. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
The problem, in one line
The dollar has lost ~87% of its value since 1971.
When the dollar left the gold standard in 1971, governments gained the ability to create money without limit. Here is what that did to the purchasing power of a single 1971 dollar — what it can actually buy, year after year.
Approximate, rounded values indexed to U.S. CPI (Bureau of Labor Statistics); endpoints illustrate the long-run trend rather than exact monthly figures. For education only — not financial advice, and not a prediction of future prices.
Peace of mind
Real, allocated metal
The way out
How hard assets break the cycle.
You can't stop the money printer — but you don't have to keep all of your savings in the thing being printed. Hard assets move part of your wealth into something with a fixed, unprintable supply, so a lifetime of work keeps its value.
A 5,000-year store of value
Gold has held its purchasing power across empires, currencies, and collapses. It isn't anyone's liability and doesn't depend on a government staying solvent to keep its worth.
An inflation & debasement hedge
Because its supply can't be expanded to fund deficits, hard assets have historically risen as fiat currencies lose value — the very cycle the dollar chart shows. Past results don't guarantee the future.
Tax-advantaged through an IRA
A self-directed gold IRA lets you hold IRS-approved physical metals inside a retirement account — rolling over an existing 401(k) or IRA without triggering a taxable event when done correctly.
From dollars to hard assets
How to start, in four simple steps.
Moving part of your retirement out of the sinking dollar is more straightforward than most people expect. Here is the path, start to finish.
- 1
Get educated, set an amount
Decide how much of your savings you want out of pure-dollar exposure. Grab our free guide and learn how a gold IRA actually works before you talk to anyone.
- 2
Pick a reputable dealer & custodian
Choose a company with a strong BBB record, transparent spot-based pricing, and IRS-approved depository storage. Our editorial rankings below are a good starting point.
- 3
Open & fund the account
A self-directed IRA is opened with a custodian, then funded — often by a direct rollover from an existing 401(k) or IRA, which is not a taxable event when done correctly.
- 4
Buy metals, store them safely
Your IRS-approved gold and silver are purchased and shipped to an insured, IRS-approved depository in your account's name. You hold real, allocated metal.
2026 Editorial Rankings
The best gold IRA companies, compared.
Our independent editorial assessment of the dealers worth your retirement — judged on fees, transparency, storage partners, reputation, and buyback terms.
★ Editor's Choice · #12026
Newmont Capital Group
★★★★★★★★★★
4.9/ 5Our top-rated featured partner: BBB A+ rated, transparent spot-based pricing, IRS-approved depository partners, and a no-obligation buyback commitment. Full details on newmontcapitalgroup.com.
- ✓BBB A+ rating
- ✓Transparent, spot-based pricing
- ✓Delaware Depository, Brinks & Loomis storage
- ✓No-obligation buyback commitment
- ✓No-Fees-For-Life program on qualifying accounts
Account minimum
$50,000
Why we rank it #1
BBB A+, transparent spot-based pricing, IRS-approved depositories, and a no-obligation buyback commitment.
Sponsored link.
#2
★★★★★★★★★★
4.5Augusta Precious Metals
Well-known brand with a strong educational focus; notably high account minimum.
Min $50,000Review →
#3
★★★★★★★★★★
4.5Goldco
Large, established gold IRA provider with broad brand recognition.
Min $25,000Review →
#4
★★★★★★★★★★
4.5American Hartford Gold
High-volume dealer with a low entry point and frequent promotions.
Min $10,000Review →
#5
★★★★★★★★★★
4.3Birch Gold Group
Long-running dealer with a wide range of IRS-approved metals.
Min $10,000Review →
Ratings are our independent editorial opinion, not user reviews. See all company reviews →
Straight answers
Questions before you move.
What does "escape the dollar" actually mean?+
It doesn't mean abandoning U.S. currency for daily life. It means reducing how much of your long-term savings sits purely in dollars, which lose purchasing power as the money supply expands. People do this by moving a portion of savings into hard assets like physical gold and silver — including inside a tax-advantaged gold IRA.
How much has the dollar really been devalued?+
Using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI data, a 1971 dollar buys roughly 13 cents' worth of goods today — an approximate loss of about 87% of its purchasing power since the dollar left the gold standard in 1971. These figures are rounded and illustrative, not exact monthly values.
Does gold really protect against currency debasement?+
Historically, yes. Because gold's supply can't be expanded at will like fiat currency, it has tended to hold or grow its real value during periods of high inflation and debasement. Since 1971 the dollar has lost roughly 87% of its purchasing power while gold rose from $35/oz into multi-thousand-dollar territory. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Can I roll over my 401(k) into gold without paying taxes?+
Yes — when done correctly. A direct rollover (or trustee-to-trustee transfer) of eligible 401(k) or IRA funds into a self-directed gold IRA is not a taxable event. Problems usually arise with indirect rollovers that miss the 60-day window. A reputable custodian and dealer will handle the paperwork to keep it penalty-free.
How do I avoid gold IRA scams?+
Verify the dealer's BBB rating and complaint history, confirm they use an IRS-approved depository (e.g., Delaware Depository, Brinks, Loomis), insist on transparent pricing tied to the spot market, and avoid anyone pushing collectible/numismatic coins for an IRA or warning the economy will collapse 'tomorrow.' Starting with a smaller amount lets you test their service first.
What metals can I hold in a gold IRA?+
The IRS permits certain gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products that meet minimum purity standards (e.g., 99.5% for gold) from approved mints and refiners — such as American Gold Eagles and many bullion bars. Collectible and graded 'numismatic' coins are generally not eligible.
Free · No obligation
Get the free Escape the Dollar guide.
A plain-English playbook for protecting retirement savings from currency debasement with physical metals — plus a no-pressure consultation with our top-rated partner. Your information is kept private.
- ✓How a gold IRA rollover actually works
- ✓IRS-approved metals & storage explained
- ✓What fees to expect — and what to avoid