• Gold IRA rollovers typically take 2–4 weeks, but delays caused by incomplete paperwork or slow plan administrators can push that timeline much further — knowing what to expect puts you in control.
• Fees vary significantly between providers — Regal Assets and Goldco both charge annual and storage fees, but the structures differ in ways that compound over time.
• The IRS 60-day rule is non-negotiable — miss it on an indirect rollover and you’re looking at taxes plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty.
• Regal Assets operates a dedicated Rollover Department designed to simplify and accelerate the account setup process for new Gold IRA clients.
• Direct rollovers are almost always faster and safer than indirect ones — a detail that most providers won’t emphasize unless you ask.

Choosing between Regal Assets and Goldco isn’t just about who has better reviews — it comes down to real dollars in fees and real days on your rollover timeline.

Both companies have built strong reputations in the Gold IRA space, but they serve investors differently. Regal Assets is known for its streamlined, specialist-led process and a dedicated Rollover Department built specifically to handle the paperwork-heavy transition from a 401(k) or traditional IRA into a precious metals IRA. US Retirement Insights provides a thorough breakdown of how these rollovers work and what to watch for at every stage.

Key Takeaways: Regal Assets vs. Goldco Rollover Costs and Timelines

Before diving into the numbers, understand this: the company you choose affects not just your fee structure, but how quickly your retirement funds are protected by physical gold. Speed and cost efficiency both matter when markets are volatile.

Two Gold IRA Giants, One Critical Decision

Regal Assets and Goldco are two of the most recognized names in the Gold IRA industry — and for good reason. Both have earned high ratings from third-party organizations, both offer guided rollover support, and both work with IRS-approved custodians and storage facilities. But their fee structures, timelines, and service models have meaningful differences that can significantly impact your long-term retirement savings.

The decision between these two providers isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your ideal choice depends on your account size, how hands-on you want your provider to be, and how quickly you need your rollover completed. Let’s break it down piece by piece.

Regal Assets: Rollover Costs Breakdown

Regal Assets has positioned itself as a full-service Gold IRA provider with one of the most structured rollover processes in the industry. Their dedicated Rollover Department handles the setup of Gold IRA accounts from start to finish, which reduces the burden on the investor considerably. Thousands of clients have moved retirement assets through their system using what the company describes as a secure, simple, and safe rollover process.

What sets Regal Assets apart on the cost side is fee transparency. While many Gold IRA companies bury their pricing in the fine print, Regal Assets has historically made their annual fee structure accessible upfront — a significant advantage when you’re trying to project your total cost of ownership over a 5 or 10-year period.

Their specialists are available to walk clients through every stage of the process, which is particularly valuable for first-time precious metals investors who aren’t familiar with IRS custodian requirements or approved storage arrangements.

Regal Assets Fast Facts:
• BBB Rating: A+
• Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Rollover Support: Dedicated Rollover Department
• Process Description: Secure, Simple, and Safe
• Account Type: Long-term, tax-deferred Gold IRA

Setup and Annual Fees

Regal Assets charges straightforward annual fees for account maintenance. Their fee structure is designed to be predictable, which matters when you’re planning retirement income. Always request a complete written fee schedule before funding your account — verbal quotes are not binding, and fee structures can change.

Storage Fees: Segregated vs. Non-Segregated

Storage is where Gold IRA costs can quietly stack up. Regal Assets offers segregated storage options, meaning your physical metals are stored separately from other clients’ holdings rather than pooled together. Segregated storage typically carries a higher annual fee than commingled storage, but it gives you a clear chain of custody over your specific assets — an important distinction for investors who want full accountability over what they own.

Spread Costs on Precious Metals Purchases

Beyond flat fees, every Gold IRA involves a spread — the difference between the spot price of gold and the price you actually pay when buying metals through your provider. Regal Assets, like all precious metals dealers, builds a margin into their metal pricing. This is a one-time cost per purchase but can represent a meaningful amount depending on your investment size. Always ask for the spread percentage before placing your first order. If you’re interested in sustainable investment options, consider exploring eco-friendly gold bars as part of your strategy.

Goldco: Rollover Costs Breakdown

Goldco has built its reputation on being accessible and guidance-forward, making it a popular option for investors who are new to precious metals IRAs. Their team walks clients through the rollover process step by step, and their educational resources are notably comprehensive — covering everything from basic Gold IRA mechanics to IRS compliance requirements.

From a cost perspective, Goldco is relatively transparent about some fees while keeping others off their public website. This isn’t unusual in the industry, but it does mean you need to ask specific questions before committing to fund an account. The good news is that their customer service team is generally responsive and willing to explain fee structures when asked directly.

One important note: Goldco’s blog maintains a detailed catalogue of IRS-approved coins and bars, which is genuinely useful for investors trying to understand what they can and cannot hold in a compliant Gold IRA account.

Setup and Annual Fees

Goldco charges an $80 annual account fee plus a $150 annual fee for insurance and segregated storage. That brings the base annual cost to $230 per year for a standard account with segregated storage. These figures are among the more clearly documented in the industry, though additional custodian fees may apply depending on which IRS-approved custodian is assigned to your account. Confirm the full annual cost in writing before proceeding.

Storage and Custodian Fees

Fee Type	Goldco Amount	Notes
Annual Account Fee	$80	Charged annually for account maintenance
Segregated Storage & Insurance	$150	Holdings stored individually, not pooled
Custodian Fees	Verify in writing	Varies by assigned custodian
Metal Spread	Verify in writing	Charged at time of purchase

Goldco also offers a unique Texas-based depository option for storage, which appeals to investors who prefer their assets held domestically in a specific jurisdiction. Their storage arrangements meet IRS requirements, which mandate that precious metals in a self-directed IRA be held through an approved custodian in an approved facility — not at home or in a personal safe.

The insurance component of the $150 annual fee is an important feature. It means your metals are covered against theft, damage, or loss while in storage — a baseline protection that any legitimate Gold IRA storage arrangement should include.

Minimum Investment Requirements

Goldco’s minimum investment requirement is a key threshold to understand before you start the process. Providers like Allegiance Gold set minimums at $10,000, and while Goldco’s specific minimum should be confirmed directly with their team, most full-service Gold IRA companies operate in the $25,000–$50,000 range for new accounts. This matters because if your rollover amount falls below their minimum, you may need to explore alternative providers or wait until your account grows.

Side-by-Side Fee Comparison: Regal Assets vs. Goldco

When you put both providers side by side, the fee differences become much clearer — and more consequential over time. Goldco’s documented annual cost sits at $230 per year ($80 account fee + $150 segregated storage and insurance). Regal Assets’ fee structure should be confirmed directly with their Rollover Department, as pricing can be updated and the most accurate figures are always what’s provided in writing before you fund your account.

Which Company Costs Less Over 5 Years

Using Goldco’s published figures as a baseline, a $230 annual fee compounds to $1,150 over five years in flat fees alone — before factoring in spreads on metal purchases or any custodian-specific charges. For larger accounts, the percentage impact of flat fees shrinks, making either provider more cost-efficient at higher balances. For smaller accounts in the $25,000–$50,000 range, those annual fees represent a more meaningful drag on returns. The key takeaway: always model your total cost of ownership over a 5-year horizon, not just year one.

Hidden Fees to Watch Out For

Both providers may carry costs that aren’t immediately obvious on their websites. The most common ones to ask about directly include:

• Wire transfer fees — charged when moving funds from your existing retirement account to your new Gold IRA custodian
• Liquidation fees — costs associated with selling your metals when you eventually take distributions
• Account termination fees — charged if you close or transfer your account before a minimum holding period
• Spread markups on metals — the difference between spot price and your actual purchase price, which varies by metal type and market conditions
• Custodian-specific fees — some IRS-approved custodians charge their own administrative fees on top of what the Gold IRA company charges

The most important rule in this space: get every fee confirmed in writing before you transfer a single dollar. Verbal assurances from sales representatives are not binding, and fee schedules can change between your initial inquiry and your actual account funding date.

Rollover Timeline: How Long Each Company Takes

The rollover timeline is where many investors get caught off guard. The process of moving funds from a 401(k) or traditional IRA into a Gold IRA involves multiple parties — your existing plan administrator, the new IRA custodian, and the precious metals dealer — and each one adds time to the process. A straightforward rollover can be completed in as little as two weeks, but more complex situations involving employer-sponsored plans or verification requirements can stretch the timeline to four weeks or longer.

Regal Assets: 7-Day Delivery Guarantee Explained

Regal Assets has historically offered a 7-day delivery guarantee on metals once your account is funded and your purchase order is confirmed. This refers specifically to the delivery of metals to the approved depository — not the entire rollover process from start to finish. The rollover itself, meaning the transfer of funds from your existing retirement account to your new Gold IRA custodian, still follows standard processing timelines. What the 7-day guarantee does is eliminate the uncertainty around how long it takes for your physical metals to arrive and be logged at the storage facility once your account is ready and funded. That’s a meaningful commitment in an industry where metal delivery timelines are rarely guaranteed in writing.

Goldco: Average Rollover Completion Time

Goldco’s rollover process typically follows the industry standard of two to four weeks for a complete transfer. Their team guides clients through each stage — account setup, custodian assignment, paperwork submission, and fund transfer — which reduces the likelihood of errors that could cause delays. Because Goldco is structured around a guided, education-first process, clients tend to arrive at each stage better prepared, which keeps the timeline moving. That said, the actual speed of your rollover depends heavily on how quickly your existing plan administrator processes the outgoing transfer request.

What Causes Rollover Delays and How to Avoid Them

Most rollover delays come down to one of three things: incomplete paperwork, slow response from your existing plan administrator, or additional verification requirements triggered by the size or type of account being transferred. Employer-sponsored 401(k) plans are particularly prone to delays because they involve HR departments and third-party plan administrators who may have their own processing queues and approval windows.

Here’s what you can do to minimize delays on your end:

1. Submit all paperwork completely and accurately the first time — even minor errors can send documents back for correction, adding days to your timeline
2. Follow up with your existing plan administrator within 48 hours of submitting your transfer request to confirm it’s been received and is being processed
3. Choose a direct rollover over an indirect rollover whenever possible — direct transfers move custodian to custodian without the funds ever touching your hands
4. Work with a provider that has a dedicated rollover team — like Regal Assets’ Rollover Department — so you have a single point of contact who can track your transfer status in real time
5. Confirm your new custodian’s receipt of funds as soon as the transfer is initiated, so any issues are caught early rather than at the end of the window

IRS Rules That Affect Your Rollover Timeline

The IRS doesn’t give you unlimited time to move retirement funds — and the rules around rollovers are strict enough that a single missed deadline can turn a tax-advantaged transfer into a taxable event with penalties attached. Understanding these rules before you start the process is non-negotiable if you want to protect the full value of your retirement savings during the transition.

The IRS distinguishes between different types of rollovers, and each comes with its own set of requirements, timelines, and tax implications. Getting this wrong doesn’t just cost you time — it can cost you a significant percentage of your retirement balance in taxes and early withdrawal penalties.

The 60-Day Rollover Rule

If you take an indirect rollover — meaning the funds are distributed to you personally before being deposited into your new Gold IRA — the IRS requires that you complete the deposit within 60 days of receiving the distribution. Miss that window by even one day and the entire amount becomes taxable income for that year. If you’re under 59½, you’ll also owe a 10% early withdrawal penalty on top of the income tax. There are very limited exceptions to this rule, and they require formal IRS approval. The 60-day rule is one of the strongest arguments for choosing a direct rollover instead.

Direct vs. Indirect Rollovers: Which Is Faster

A direct rollover moves funds directly from your existing retirement account custodian to your new Gold IRA custodian without the money ever being distributed to you. This eliminates the 60-day countdown entirely, removes the risk of mandatory withholding (which applies to indirect rollovers from employer plans at a 20% rate), and typically processes faster because there are fewer administrative steps involved. For the vast majority of investors, a direct rollover is both the faster and the safer option.

An indirect rollover, by contrast, requires you to manage the timing yourself — depositing the full original amount (including any withheld taxes) into your new account within 60 days. Even if your plan administrator withheld 20% for taxes, you’re still required to deposit 100% of the original distribution amount to avoid a taxable event. That means coming up with the withheld portion out of pocket temporarily, then reclaiming it when you file your taxes. It adds complexity, risk, and time pressure that most investors don’t need. When your Gold IRA provider asks which rollover method you prefer, choose direct — every time.

Which Company Is Right for Your Situation

There’s no universal answer here — the right provider depends on what you’re actually trying to accomplish with your retirement savings. Both Regal Assets and Goldco are legitimate, well-rated companies that have helped thousands of investors move retirement funds into physical gold. But they serve slightly different investor profiles, and recognizing which profile fits you will save you time, money, and frustration.

Think about two things: how much support you want during the rollover process, and how sensitive you are to annual fees over a multi-year holding period. Your answers to those two questions will point you toward the right provider almost immediately.

Best Choice for Hands-On Guidance

If you’re rolling over a 401(k) for the first time and want a structured, specialist-led experience from account setup through metal delivery, Regal Assets is built for exactly that situation. Their dedicated Rollover Department functions as a single point of contact throughout the entire process — handling paperwork coordination, custodian setup, and transfer tracking so you’re not left managing multiple parties on your own. For investors who want the reassurance of a team that has done this thousands of times, that infrastructure is genuinely valuable.

The hands-on support model also reduces the risk of costly mistakes during the rollover — particularly around the IRS’s 60-day rule and direct transfer requirements. When a specialist is actively managing your timeline, the probability of a compliance error drops significantly. For near-retirees or first-time precious metals investors, that peace of mind has real financial value.

Best Choice for Lower Fees

Goldco’s documented annual fee structure — $80 for account maintenance and $150 for segregated storage and insurance — gives it a clear advantage in fee transparency. Knowing your exact annual cost upfront makes long-term planning far more straightforward. If you’re working with a larger account balance and want to project your 10-year cost of ownership with precision, Goldco’s published fee schedule gives you a reliable baseline to work from.

Goldco also suits investors who want guided support but are comfortable doing some of their own research. Their educational resources — including a detailed blog cataloguing IRS-approved coins and bars — are genuinely useful for investors who want to understand why certain metals qualify for IRA inclusion before they buy. If self-education is part of your process, Goldco’s content library is a meaningful advantage.

The Smartest Move Is the One You Verify in Writing

Regardless of which provider you choose, the single most important step you can take before funding your Gold IRA is to get every fee, every timeline commitment, and every storage arrangement confirmed in a written document. Verbal promises from sales representatives carry no weight if a dispute arises — only written disclosures do. Request a complete fee schedule, a written rollover timeline, custodian details, and storage facility information before transferring a single dollar. The best Gold IRA companies will provide all of this without hesitation. If a provider resists putting their commitments in writing, that resistance is the only answer you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Gold IRA rollover process generates a lot of questions — especially for investors who are navigating it for the first time. The rules around eligible accounts, IRS compliance, and metal selection can feel overwhelming when you’re also trying to evaluate providers and fee structures simultaneously.

The good news is that most of the complexity comes from a handful of well-defined rules that, once understood, make the entire process much more manageable. The FAQs below address the questions that come up most often — and the answers are the ones that actually matter for protecting your retirement savings.

Use these as a checklist before your first conversation with any Gold IRA provider. If a company can’t answer these questions clearly and in writing, keep looking.

What Is the Minimum Investment Required for Regal Assets and Goldco?

Minimum investment requirements vary by provider and can change over time, so always confirm the current threshold directly with the company before starting your rollover. Most full-service Gold IRA providers, including those in the same tier as Regal Assets and Goldco, typically set minimums in the $25,000–$50,000 range for new accounts. Allegiance Gold, for comparison, sets its minimum at $10,000. If your rollover amount falls below a provider’s minimum, ask whether exceptions are made or whether a phased funding approach is available. For those interested in ethical investing, consider exploring ethically sourced gold investment strategies.

How Long Does a 401(k) to Gold IRA Rollover Take With Each Company?

A straightforward 401(k) to Gold IRA rollover typically takes between two and four weeks from initial paperwork submission to confirmed metal delivery at an approved depository. Regal Assets‘ dedicated Rollover Department is structured to move clients through this process as efficiently as possible, and their historical 7-day metal delivery commitment (from funded account to depository receipt) is one of the fastest in the industry for that specific stage of the process.

Goldco follows a similar two-to-four-week window for the full rollover, with the exact timeline dependent on how quickly your existing plan administrator processes the outgoing transfer. Employer-sponsored 401(k) plans tend to take longer than individual IRAs because they involve additional approval layers. Submitting complete, accurate paperwork on the first attempt is the single most effective way to keep your rollover on the faster end of that range. For those interested in sustainable investment options, consider exploring eco-friendly gold bars as part of your portfolio.

Are There Penalties for Rolling Over to a Gold IRA?

A properly executed direct rollover from a 401(k) or traditional IRA into a Gold IRA carries no taxes and no penalties. The IRS treats a direct custodian-to-custodian transfer as a non-taxable event because the funds never pass through your hands. The penalty risk only enters the picture when an indirect rollover is used — and even then, only if the 60-day redeposit window is missed.

The situations that most commonly trigger unexpected penalties include:

• Missing the 60-day window on an indirect rollover — the full distributed amount becomes taxable income, plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you’re under age 59½
• Failing to deposit the full original distribution amount — if your plan withheld 20% for taxes and you only deposit the net amount, the withheld portion is treated as a taxable distribution
• Rolling over to a non-IRS-compliant custodian or storage arrangement — this can disqualify the entire account, triggering immediate taxation on the full balance
• Purchasing non-approved metals — holding metals that don’t meet IRS purity standards inside an IRA can result in the account being treated as a distribution

Working with a provider that has a dedicated compliance and rollover team — and choosing a direct rollover method from the start — eliminates virtually all of these risks before they have a chance to materialize.

Can I Roll Over a Current Employer’s 401(k) Into a Gold IRA?

In most cases, you cannot roll over a 401(k) from a current employer into a Gold IRA while you are still actively employed by that employer. Most employer-sponsored 401(k) plans restrict in-service distributions, meaning the funds must stay in the plan until you separate from the company, reach a plan-specified age (often 59½), or qualify for a hardship distribution. However, once you leave that employer — through retirement, resignation, or termination — the 401(k) balance becomes fully eligible for a direct rollover into a self-directed Gold IRA. Always check your specific plan documents or contact your HR department to confirm the in-service distribution rules for your plan before assuming eligibility.

What IRS-Approved Metals Can I Hold in a Gold IRA?

The IRS has specific purity standards that precious metals must meet to qualify for inclusion in a self-directed IRA. The approved metals and their minimum purity requirements are:

• Gold — minimum 99.5% purity (examples: American Gold Eagle, Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, American Gold Buffalo)
• Silver — minimum 99.9% purity (examples: American Silver Eagle, Canadian Silver Maple Leaf)
• Platinum — minimum 99.95% purity (examples: American Platinum Eagle, Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf)
• Palladium — minimum 99.95% purity (examples: Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf)

One important exception: the American Gold Eagle coin is permitted in Gold IRAs despite having a slightly lower gold content than the 99.5% threshold, because it is U.S. legal tender and explicitly approved by IRS statute. This is one of the nuances that catches new investors off guard — gold purity alone doesn’t determine IRA eligibility; IRS approval status does.

Collectible coins, numismatic coins, and any metals that don’t meet the minimum purity standards are explicitly prohibited from IRA inclusion. Holding a non-approved asset inside an IRA can cause the IRS to treat the entire account as a distribution — meaning you’d owe income taxes and potentially early withdrawal penalties on the full balance immediately. For those interested in compliant options, consider exploring the best gold IRA companies to ensure your investments meet IRS standards.

Your Gold IRA provider and custodian are responsible for ensuring that only IRS-approved metals are purchased for your account. Reputable providers like Regal Assets and Goldco maintain product catalogues that are limited to compliant metals, which removes the burden of individual verification from the investor. Still, it’s worth reviewing any purchase confirmation to confirm the metal, purity, and form match what was requested.

Storage of IRS-approved metals must also comply with IRS rules — specifically, the metals must be held at an approved depository, not at home or in a personal safe. Home storage Gold IRAs marketed by some companies operate in a legal gray area and have drawn IRS scrutiny. Stick with established, IRS-approved custodians and depositories that your Gold IRA provider works with directly.

If you’re unsure whether a specific coin or bar qualifies, ask your provider to confirm eligibility in writing before purchasing. Goldco’s publicly accessible coin and bar catalogue is a useful reference point, and Regal Assets’ specialists can confirm approved products during your onboarding conversation. Either way, the confirmation should always be in writing — not just verbal — before any purchase is made with your retirement funds.