Gold IRA Liquidity
Physical gold is tradable, but it is not the same as cash in a brokerage sweep account. Sale procedures, dealer bids and custody can add time and price friction.
Questions to ask before buying
- Who can buy the metals from the IRA?
- How quickly is a sale normally processed?
- How is the dealer bid determined?
- Can the custodian send cash after liquidation electronically?
- How are in-kind distributions handled?
Why this matters later
Required distributions or unexpected spending needs can force liquidation when market conditions are unfavorable. Keep liquidity planning at the portfolio level.