What is an IRA?
Great foundational question — and one worth answering clearly for members who may be new to retirement planning. The Simple Definition An IRA, or Individual Retirement Account, is a personal savings account that offers special tax advantages to encourage people to save for retirement. Unlike a workplace 401(k) or pension, an IRA is something you open and manage on your own, independent of any employer. Why Does the Tax Advantage Matter? The government wants people to save for rFew readersIs it Possible to Roll over An IRA Investments into A Sound Money Wallet Account?
The short answer is no — and understanding why is important for protecting your retirement savings. Two Great Products, Two Different Purposes SoundMoney offers two distinct ways to own physical precious metals: The SoundMoney IRA — a tax-advantaged self-directed IRA holding IRS-approved physical metals through a qualified custodian (NDTCO) at an approved depository The SoundMoney Wallet — a personal, non-retirement account that lets you buy, store, and liquidate real physicalFew readersHow do I find a SoundMoney-compatible IRA custodian?
The good news — you don't have to figure this out on your own. SoundMoney has already done the legwork for you. Our Preferred Custodian SoundMoney works with New Direction Trust Company (NDTCO) as our preferred IRA custodian. NDTCO specializes in self-directed IRAs and has extensive experience with precious metals accounts. They handle: Holding your precious metals securely on your behalf Facilitating fund transfers between your SDIRA and SoundMoney Providing tax documentation for yFew readersHow is my metal stored and secured with my IRA?
When you purchase precious metals through a SoundMoney IRA, your metals are held at a professional, IRS-approved depository — not at SoundMoney, not with your custodian, and not at your home. Here's how it works: The Depository SoundMoney's preferred depository is Money Metals Depository in Eagle, Idaho — right here in the Treasure Valley. It is a state-of-the-art, fully insured facility that operates completely outside the traditional banking and financial system, meaning your metals areFew readersWhat does it cost to set up and hold metal in an IRA?
Setting up a Precious Metals IRA involves three primary costs. While SoundMoney helps you avoid traditional "middleman" markups on the metal itself, the retirement structure has its own set of fees: Account Setup (One-Time): A fee paid to the custodian to establish your new retirement account. This is typically between $50 and $150. Annual Custodial Maintenance: This is a flat fee (not a percentage) charged by the custodian for tax reporting and account oversight. This usuallyFew readersDoes the $199 "Unlimited Storage" apply to my IRA?
No — the SoundMoney $199 Unlimited Storage plan and your Precious Metals IRA are completely separate programswith different storage arrangements. Here's why: Two Different Products, Two Different Structures The $199 Unlimited Storage plan applies to your SoundMoney Wallet account — your personal, non-retirement precious metals account. It covers the cost of storing metals you own outright in your own name outside of any retirement account structure. Your Precious Metals IRA isFew readersWhat is a Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA)?
A Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) is the foundation of any precious metals IRA — including the ones SoundMoney helps you set up. Here's what you need to know: The Simple Definition A Self-Directed IRA is an Individual Retirement Account that gives you control over what you invest in — going far beyond the stocks, bonds, and mutual funds offered by traditional IRAs. With an SDIRA, you can invest in a much broader range of assets, including physical precious metals like gold and silver. HoFew readersWhat happens after my IRA is open?
Once your self-directed IRA is established and funded, the real work begins — growing and protecting your retirement savings with physical precious metals. Here's what to expect: Step 1: Purchase Your Metals With your account funded, you'll work directly with your SoundMoney IRA specialist to select the metals you want to purchase. We'll help you understand: Which metals are IRA-eligible (meeting IRS purity standards) The difference between coins and bars and which may be right foFew readersWhat information do I need to apply for an IRA?
Opening a precious metals IRA is straightforward. Here's what you'll typically need to have ready: Personal Identification Government-issued photo ID — driver's license or passport Social Security Number (SSN) Date of birth Contact & Address Information Current mailing address Phone number Email address Beneficiary Information You'll need to designate at least one beneficiary for your account, so have their name, date of birth, SSN, and relationship to you availaFew readersCan I take my gold and silver home once it’s in my IRA?
This is one of the most common questions we receive — and the answer is important to understand clearly. While your metals are held inside your IRA, you cannot take personal possession of them. Here's why, and what your options are: The IRS Rule The IRS requires that all precious metals held inside a Self-Directed IRA be stored at an IRS-approved depository in the custody of a qualified custodian — in SoundMoney's case, that's New Direction Trust Company (NDTCO). This is not oFew readersHow do I roll my 401k into this program?
Rolling over a 401(k) into a precious metals IRA is one of the most popular ways to get started with SoundMoney — and the process is simpler than most people expect. Here's a step-by-step walkthrough: Step 1: Schedule a Free Consultation With SoundMoney The best first step is to talk with one of our IRA specialists. We'll help you: Confirm your 401(k) is eligible for rollover Understand your options (Traditional vs. Roth SDIRA) Answer any questions before you commit to anything CoFew readersWhat happens if I want to sell my IRA metals?
Selling metals inside your precious metals IRA is straightforward, but it works differently than selling metals you own personally. Here's everything you need to know: The Key Principle Because your metals are held inside a tax-advantaged retirement account, you don't sell them directly yourself. All transactions are directed through your custodian, New Direction Trust Company (NDTCO), to ensure IRS compliance and preserve your account's tax-advantaged status. Your Options When YouFew readersAre there minimum investment requirements in an IRA?
The IRS does not set a minimum investment amount for a precious metals IRA. However, there are some practical minimums to be aware of: Custodian & Setup Fees Most custodians, including New Direction Trust Company (NDTCO), charge account setup fees and annual maintenance fees. These costs make very small accounts impractical — you'd want enough invested so fees don't consume a disproportionate share of your holdings. Metal Pricing The price of the metals themselves creates a natural fFew readersCan I roll over an existing 401(k) or IRA?
Yes! Rolling over an existing retirement account into a precious metals IRA is one of the most popular ways to get started, and SoundMoney's IRA specialists are experienced in making the process smooth and straightforward. What Accounts Can Be Rolled Over? Most employer-sponsored and individual retirement accounts are eligible, including: 401(k) — the most common employer-sponsored retirement plan 403(b) — typically held by teachers, non-profit, and healthcare workers Thrift SFew readers