The fee stack
1. Setup fee (one-time)
A modest one-time charge to open the self-directed IRA — commonly cited in roughly the $50–$80 range, sometimes waived on larger accounts. Figures vary by provider; confirm current numbers directly.
2. Annual custodian / maintenance fee
An ongoing administrative fee, often a flat $75–$125 a year. Flat fees are generally better for larger accounts than percentage-of-assets fees, which scale with your balance.
3. Storage & insurance
The depository charges to vault and insure your metal — frequently around $100–$150 a year. Segregated storage (your metal kept separately) usually costs more than commingled storage. All-in custody plus storage commonly lands near $200–$275 a year at many providers, though this varies.
4. The dealer markup (the one people miss)
This is the spread between the spot price of metal and what you actually pay. It's the largest and least transparent cost, and it doesn't show up on a fee schedule. Insist on transparent, spot-based pricing so you can see the markup before you buy.
Red flags to walk away from
- Pressure to buy collectible / “numismatic” coins with fat margins for an IRA.
- Refusal to put the full fee schedule and per-coin pricing in writing.
- Vague “we'll cover your fees” offers that are really tied to large minimum purchases.
- Doom-marketing — “the collapse is next week” — used to rush a decision.
How to keep costs down
Favor flat-fee custodians over percentage-based ones, compare per-coin pricing across dealers, and ask whether first-year fees are waived on a qualifying transfer. Some providers run programs that materially lower long-term cost on larger accounts. Our company reviews list each firm's published fee notes side by side; the figures there are factual and labeled where not publicly disclosed.
Once you understand the costs, the mechanics in how a gold IRA works and the rollover guide finish the picture.