Buying Physical Gold with an IRA: A Comprehensive Guide Investing in physical gold through an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) can be an effective strategy for diversifying your retirement portfolio and protecting your wealth against inflation and economic uncertainty. This report provides a detailed overview of how to buy physical gold with an IRA, the types of IRAs available for gold investment, the benefits and risks of holding gold in an IRA, and the steps involved in making such an investment. Understanding Gold IRAs A Gold IRA is a specialized type of self-directed Individual Retirement Account that allows investors to hold physical gold and other precious metals as part of their retirement savings. Unlike traditional IRAs, which typically hold stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, Gold IRAs provide an opportunity to invest in tangible assets, which can offer a hedge against market volatility. Types of IRAs for Gold Investment Traditional IRA: This is the most common type of retirement account, allowing pre-tax contributions and tax-deferred growth. Gold can be included in a traditional IRA, but the account holder must comply with IRS regulations regarding the types of gold that can be held. Roth IRA: Contributions to a Roth IRA are made with after-tax dollars, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free. Similar to a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA can also hold physical gold, providing tax advantages on the growth of the investment. SEP IRA: A Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA is designed for self-employed individuals and small business owners. Like traditional and Roth IRAs, a SEP IRA can include physical gold as part of the investment portfolio.