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Birch Gold Group Review: A Top Gold IRA Company
A top precious metals IRA company
Quality customer service
Committed to transparency
Outstanding customer reviews
Are you thinking about opening a precious metals IRA (commonly called a "gold IRA" even if it holds silver, palladium, or platinum) with Birch Gold Group? If so, the following is the latest information about the company, what it offers, how its customer service stacks up, and more.
Whether you're ready to make a move, or just looking to learn a little more about investing in precious metals, you'll want to check out Birch Gold Group (BGG).
Birch Gold Group is a gold investment firm that focuses on establishing Precious Metals IRAs to enable their clients diversify their portfolios to secure their retirement. They also offer individuals the chance to buy gold, silver, platinum, or palladium for a personal financial investment to help grow their wealth.
If you have an interest in finding out more about BGG as well as whether they are the gold investment company you'd want to utilize, go through our evaluation detailed below. We've done comprehensive research to share everything you would like to know about BGG including the services they offer, the kinds of precious metals you can invest in, as well as just how investing or setting up a Gold IRA works.
In a Nutshell: Birch Gold Group is a precious metals company that prides itself in providing quality customer education and service when it comes to investing in gold.
About Birch Gold Group (BGG)
Birch is California-based and is known in the industry by its initials rather than its full name. Since 2003, BGG has been offering online-only gold IRA and precious metals sales to its customers. Note that BGG sells metals to its IRA clients as well as to the public. Their "metals menu" consists of the four main precious metals, namely gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
Potential direct-buy, non-IRA customers should keep in mind that there are no special IRA benefits to buying and storing such assets in your home or safe deposit box. Any realized gains for non-IRA metals must be reported on your taxes as capital gains and can be subject to rather high rates.
According to the BGG website, one of the company's primary goals is to help people gain knowledge about the many ways that precious metals can enhance long-term wealth and financial security.
Birch Gold Group has spent years focusing on fine-tuning their customer service reputation, and the work has paid off. Today, BGG enjoys a reputation in its industry for top-notch service. That attitude at BGG extends from the first call a prospective customer makes to the company, all the way to long-term maintenance and assistance with accounts.
All new customers are walked through the account creation process. Company team members answer all questions in easy-to-understand language and assists new clients with fast, pain-free account creation, funding, and metal storage in insured, secure facilities.
If you call to inquire about their offerings, the no-pressure team members will be glad to explain the most common ways that people use precious metals for wealth enhancement and retirement security, as well as speak about the various account types available to prospective customers. BGG specializes in helping new members roll over existing IRAs into gold IRAs.
Why Invest in Gold and Silver IRAs
There are a variety of reasons why you should consider spending some of your cash in physical gold. As a substantial resource with a restricted supply, they have actually remained highly sought after for many years.
Investing in precious metals can help diversify your retirement profile, which is important to shield your monetary security. It protects your wealth from a decline in the economy. Since precious metals aren't tied to any one currency, government or financial institution, you'll be protected should the United States economy or dollar take a drastic downturn.
Over the years, gold, silver, and other precious metals have remained a stable investment. They are in constant demand, and with their limited supply, it is likely that their value will only continue to grow in the future.
If you aren't sure whether your existing retirement account or 401(k) is eligible for a rollover, contacting a member of the team at Birch Gold Group will help clarify things for you and get you the answers you need to secure your retirement investments.
Gold Investment Options Offered By Birch Gold
Birch does many things, and does all of them well. First, they help clients connect with a gold IRA custodian, which is Equity Trust Company. However, if customers have a preferred custodian, then BGG will still assist you with account setup.
Second, Birch, as a precious metals dealer, will sell you whatever metals you want to purchase in order to begin your gold IRA. Third, the company will arrange for shipping and storage of your metallic assets into an IRS-approved facility within the U.S.
Finally, Birch always has a representative available for customers who have questions about account issues of any kind. In short, BGG offers custodial setup of precious metals IRA accounts, sells the metals to you, helps you choose in-U.S. storage facility, ships the metals to that location, and is available to answer questions at any time.
Benefits of Investing in Precious Metals
Rolling Over 401(k) To IRA
Rolling over your 401(k) can be a very good way to gain tax benefits. Consumers can gain a greater level of control when they roll over 401(k) to IRA, because unlike a company-sponsored plan, an individual retirement account (IRA) allows for a wider field of investments, including stocks, bonds, precious metals, ETFs, etc.
One of the main reasons why soon-to-retire individuals go down this route is because rolling over existing funds and setting up a Gold IRA rather than simply purchasing gold to hold at your home is that the value of the precious metals in your account are tax-advantaged. Depending on the type of account you set up, you may not even be taxed on the gains on your investment.
Before rolling over or setting up a new self-directed IRA, take some time to read up on the IRS guidelines, rules, and penalties regarding IRAs. First, learn the contribution limits for an IRA based on your age. Exceeding these limits will result in a 6% fee each year until the mistake is corrected.
You also won't be able to withdraw any funds from your account before you reach at least 59 ½ years old. Removing funds before this will lead to a 10% fee, and you'll also owe income tax on the money you withdraw. There are a few exceptions to this rule, which includes death or disability.
Birch Gold Group will help you navigate through these guidelines with their streamlined, simple and fully transparent process. A team member is always available to answer any question you may have and offer assistance throughout the process.
IRA-Approved Coins And Bars Offered By Birch Gold Group
Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium must meet certain requirements in order to be approved for a Precious Metals IRA account. Gold coins or bars need to be at least 99.5% pure, silver coins and bars need to be at least 99.9% pure, while platinum and palladium coins and bars need to be at least 99.95% pure.
Below are some of the IRA-approved coins and bars offered by the Birch Gold Group, lots of options to choose from:
IRA Gold Coins
Gold American Eagle Coin
Gold American Eagle Proof
Gold American Bald Eagle Coin
Gold Buffalo Coin
Gold Maple Leaf Coin
Gold Twin Maple Coins
Gold Australian Gold Florin
Valcambi CombiBars
Gold Rose Crown Guinea Coin
Gold Gyrfalcon Coin
Gold Polar Bear and Cub Coin
Platinum and Palladium
American Platinum Eagle
Various Platinum Bars and Rounds
Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf
Various Palladium Bars and Rounds
Precious Metals IRA Storage with Birch Gold Group
According to the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) regulations, coins and bars for Precious Metal IRAs must be held in an IRS-approved facility. BGG customers have the privilege of storing their precious metals in the Delaware Depository or with Brink's Global Services.
The Delaware Depository is one of the most trusted and secure IRS-approved locations and there are two Delaware Depository locations to choose from for your precious metals storage. One in Wilmington, Delaware, and the other in Seal Beach, California. Which ever location you choose, you can be confident that your precious metals will be protected using state-of-the art security.
Birch Gold Group also use Brink's Global Services as the other storage option. Brink's Global Services has more than a thousand storage locations in over 120 countries and they are known for their secure armoured vehicles.
Customers of Birch Gold Group with a Precious Metals IRA may have the option of storing their metals in Brink Global Services locations in Los Angeles, New York City or Salt Lake City. They are well-trusted and serve clients including governments, banks, and jewelers, so you'll be able to rest easy knowing your precious metals are in good hands.
Why Invest In An IRA With Birch Gold Group?
With Birch Gold Group (BGG), the company's goal is to educate their clients to help them make informed decisions that will benefit their financial security.
Their commitment to stay true and provide lifetime customer support is a winning addition to an already strong lineup of pros and you get some of the best educational materials in the industry at no extra cost.
Pros
BGG has been around longer than most of their competitors.
Their BBB rating is as high as it can be, A+.
Secure storage facilities
Generally, their fees and prices are on the lower end of the scale.
The company's customer service reputation is unrivalled
BGG works hard to educate customers about the many ways a gold IRA can boost their overall financial health.
Cons
Though the company's fees are very reasonable, it's hard to find some of the data on their website.
If you prefer international metals storage facilities, you are out of luck. BGG only has U.S.-based facilities.
Birch Gold Fees And Account Minimums
Compared to it's competitors, BGG has rather low fees, and average minimums. Note that they do not act as the account custodian. You choose your own custodian or opt for the main one BGG works with, Equity Trust Company.
Here's a quick rundown of fees and account minimums:
Minimums: With Birch Gold Group, gold IRA minimum is $10,000 for account opening with a set-up fee of $50 and a wire transfer fee of $30. The minimum for non-IRA metals purchases is also $10,000 with annual account fee of $0.
Fees: Yearly depository fees vary, but are usually around $100 per account. The standard for most Birch Gold customers fee is $100 annually, with an additional $80 for maintenance. These fees may vary based on your desired storage type.
BGG Fees For Precious Metals IRAs
One - Time Fees
Set-up fee for IRA - $50
Wire transfer fee - $30
Annual Fees
Custodian maintenance fee - $80
Depository fee - $100
Birch Gold Group Investment Minimums
Precious Metals IRA - $10,000
Non-IRA Investment - $10,000
How To Get Started with BGG
Getting started with a gold IRA or non-IRA precious metals account with BGG is simple. Contact a company rep and tell them what you want, either a precious metals IRA or just want to purchase precious metals for a non-IRA account. Here is what the process looks like:
Step 1: Determine whether you can roll over your current IRA directly to a BGG account. If your current IRA is through an employer, you might have to speak with your accountant or a financial professional.
Step 2: The account custodian (Equity Trust Company or whomever you choose) will set up your gold IRA, either rolling over your current IRA or accepting funds to create a new one.
Step 3: You'll then purchase precious metals from BGG, at which point BGG will send your precious metals to the depository of your choosing, within the U.S.
Note: If you currently do not have an IRA, you'll simply purchase eligible metals from BGG, set up an account with the custodian, and wait a few business days for BGG to ship the physical metals to the storage facility.
If you are not rolling over an existing IRA but making a cash purchase, the process is a little different and is as follows:
Step 1: You’ll speak with a BGG Precious Metals Specialist to discuss your specific goals.
Step 2: Next, you’ll send funds to BGG by bank wire or check.
Step 3: BGG specialists will purchase the designated precious metals on your behalf.
Step 4: The precious metals are shipped to the storage facility of your choice.
Image Source: Birch Gold Group
Unique Birch Gold Group Features
Birch Gold Group's core operating philosophy is centred around a commitment to answer all their customers' questions and understand their needs. They’ll work with you to develop a custom financial/retirement strategy based on your current situation, long-term goals, and preferences.
BGG offers a large selection of IRA-approved coins including premium platinum and palladium coins.
Having being in the industry since 2003, the company's setup is highly efficient and every step of the process has been streamlined and simplified to be as easy as possible.
Opening and managing a Gold IRA account is easy with Birch, because they’ve devoted an entire section of their company to the process. Their well-experienced team members will help you every step of the way. You’ll always deal with a dedicated IRA specialist who understands your specific situation.
The BGG team employees include former financial advisors, commodities brokers, wealth managers, and other specialists with a wide range of financial experience and skills.
Who is Birch Gold Group Best For?
You're probably a good fit and will get the most out of what BGG has to offer if you want help dealing with custodians, account setup, metals storage, and all the details that go along with creating a gold IRA.
Additionally, BGG is an ideal choice for people who want to expand their knowledge about how precious metals can make retirement accounts more secure, stable, and potentially profitable.
Final Thoughts on Birch Gold Group
For overall excellence in its industry, BGG is very close to a five-star rating. The only reason we knocked them down one-tenth of a point is due to the fact that they do not offer international storage for precious metals.
Other than that, and the very minor issue of their website not being super-detailed about fees (which are low, in any case), BGG is one of the top providers in the gold IRA industry, has a sterling reputation, and offers unmatched customer education and service.
Frequently Asked Questions About Birch Gold Group IRA
Is BGG a reputable company?
Yes, Birch Gold Group is a legitimate and reputable company with a lot of positive reviews on various platforms. It has a triple A rating on BCA, a 4.8 star review on ConsumerAffairs and a 4.9 star review on Google Business.
What is a gold IRA account?
A gold IRA account is a specialized individual retirement account (IRA) where instead of money or stocks you invest in precious metals like gold, silver, platinum and/or palladium. These physical precious metals are held in a IRS-approved secure storage facility or vault.
Can I make direct contributions to my gold IRA like a traditional or Roth IRA?
Yes, you have the ability to buy precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, or palladium at any time. Just speak to your IRA account consultant, make a contribution and you will be guided on the next steps.
How safe are the physical precious metals stored in a Birch Gold storage facility?
Birch Gold Group has been known to use some of the best custodians that ensure the safety of your precious metals. The Delaware Depository and Brinks are some of the popular and best ones used by BGG.
How can I discover the status of my gold IRA performance as a customer of BGG?
Your IRA account specialist will keep you updated on the performance of your gold IRA investment and provide you account statements periodically. They will also provide you access to monitor your account performance in real time.
What accounts are eligible to be rollod over into a precious metals IRA in Birch Gold Group?
A traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, eligible 401(k), 403(b), 457, TSP and more. When you talk to a BGG IRA specialist, things will become a lot clearer and you will know if you qualify.
Birch Gold Group
