Augusta Precious Metals Review

We rank Augusta Precious Metals first for 401k to gold IRA rollovers in 2026. Founded in 2012, Augusta requires a $50,000 minimum. Its specialists handle the rollover from the first consultation through account setup and metal selection. Augusta lists a transparent fee structure, lifetime customer support and a free learning library, and it runs one-on-one web conferences that explain the precious metals market before any purchase.

Augusta Precious Metals requires a $50,000 minimum, the highest on this site, so the first question is whether your 401(k) balance clears that bar. The company positions itself around education, lifetime support and a price match guarantee, which suits a retiree who wants to understand each step before moving money.

• A good fit: a larger 401(k) or old IRA balance, a preference for a one-on-one web conference before any purchase, and a wish for a dedicated specialist who stays on the account after funding.
• Look elsewhere: a balance under $50,000. Birch Gold Group lists a $5,000 minimum, American Hartford Gold lists $10,000, and Goldco lists $25,000.
• Also note: the listed cons are the higher minimum and limited cryptocurrency options, so an investor who wants crypto exposure in the same account should ask about it directly.

1. Attend the web conference. Augusta starts with a free educational session in which a specialist explains how a gold IRA is built. Write down every fee and policy mentioned and ask for it in writing afterward.
2. Open the self-directed IRA. A gold IRA needs an IRS-approved custodian, and the custodian is a separate firm from the dealer. Ask which custodian and which depository Augusta uses and whether you may choose another.
3. Request a direct rollover. Your 401(k) plan administrator sends the money trustee-to-trustee to the new custodian. A direct rollover has no 20% withholding and no 60-day clock.
4. Choose IRS-eligible metals. Gold must be at least 99.5% pure, silver 99.9%, and platinum and palladium 99.95%. American Gold Eagles are the statutory exception to the gold rule.
5. Confirm storage. IRA metals go to an approved depository, never to your home. Request the storage agreement and the account statement format.

The table above lists a $50 setup fee, an $80 annual fee, $100 per year for storage and a $25 wire fee. Treat those numbers as a starting point and confirm each one in the written fee schedule, because the largest cost in most gold IRAs is not on that list: the spread between the price you pay for a coin and the price a dealer pays to buy it back.

• What is the premium over spot on each coin or bar I am considering?
• Is storage segregated or commingled, and what does each cost per year?
• What exactly does the price match guarantee cover, and what proof does it require?
• What is the written buyback formula, and are there fees when I sell?
• Who sets the custodian fee, and does it rise as the account grows?

The review page shows an A+ BBB rating, but a rating is a snapshot. Open the company profile on the Better Business Bureau and read the complaint text, not only the grade. Check the Business Consumer Alliance and Trustpilot for the same pattern, and compare the dates of the most recent reviews.

Walk away from any gold IRA seller, including this one, if a representative pushes you to decide the same day, steers you toward collectible or numismatic coins, suggests storing IRA metals at home, or will not put fees in writing. Home storage turns the IRA into a taxable distribution, and most numismatic coins are barred under IRC Section 408(m).

On the numbers shown on this site, Augusta has the highest rating (4.9/5) and the highest minimum ($50,000). Its fee table matches Goldco on setup ($50) and annual fee ($80). Birch Gold Group charges $75 annually, American Hartford Gold lists a $0 setup fee with an asterisk, and Noble Gold lists the highest storage fee at $150 per year. Augusta lists the lowest wire fee at $25.

Choose Augusta for support and education if your balance qualifies. Choose a lower-minimum company if the size of your rollover is the deciding factor.

Can I roll over a 401(k) while I still work for the employer?

Only if the plan allows in-service distributions, which many plans restrict by age, often 59½. Ask your plan administrator first.

Is the free kit a commitment?

The kit is an information request. No metals are bought until you open and fund an account, so keep the paperwork and fee schedule for comparison.

Will I owe tax on the rollover?

A direct rollover from a traditional 401(k) to a traditional IRA is not a taxable event. Converting to a Roth IRA is taxable, so consult a tax advisor.