Gold IRA vs Traditional IRA
A “Gold IRA” can itself be a traditional IRA for tax purposes. The practical distinction people usually mean is a self-directed IRA holding physical precious metals versus a conventional brokerage IRA holding securities.
Same tax wrapper, different investment menu
Both may operate under traditional IRA contribution and distribution rules. The big differences arise from assets, custody, liquidity, pricing transparency and fees.
| Feature | Precious-metals self-directed IRA | Typical brokerage traditional IRA |
|---|---|---|
| Assets | Qualifying alternative assets such as certain metals | Usually stocks, bonds, funds, CDs and similar securities |
| Custodian role | Administration; investor evaluates alternative asset | Platform offers approved investment menu |
| Physical storage | Relevant for metals | Usually not applicable |