Gold IRA fees explained: What you'll actually pay

The fee structure on Gold IRAs is designed to bleed you dry over time. Setup fees, annual custodial fees, storage fees, dealer markups, and liquidation fees compound into a wealth-destroying machine. You're paying someone else to hold your metal while surrendering direct access. Physical gold in your possession has zero ongoing fees. The tax deferral angle sounds attractive until you realize you're trading control for complexity. Real stackers hold real metal. The COMEX paper games and ETF nonsense have conditioned people to think they need intermediaries for precious metals exposure. They don't. Stack physical. Store it yourself. The premiums you pay upfront for coins and bars are nothing compared to the annual fee hemorrhaging of these custodial arrangements.