FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What can I hold in a self-directed IRA?
A self-directed IRA offers you the greatest degree of flexibility and diversification compared to traditional retirement accounts. You can hold conventional financial assets such as:
-Stocks
-Bonds
-Mutual Funds
-Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
-Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
In addition, you can allocate a portion—or all—of your retirement portfolio into alternative assets, which are typically not allowed in standard IRAs. These include:
Precious Metals: IRS-approved gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bullion.
Real Estate: Direct ownership of income-generating properties, residential rentals, and commercial real estate.
Private Equity: Investments in private companies, startups, or venture capital projects.
Oil and Energy Interests: Rights, royalties, and shares in energy production ventures.
Cryptocurrencies: Select custodians allow holding digital assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum (if applicable).
This range of options allows you to protect and diversify your retirement portfolio while potentially increasing your returns by investing in tangible, alternative assets.
Which retirement plans are eligible for a self-directed precious metals IRA rollover or transfer?
You can transfer or roll over funds from most common retirement plans into a self-directed precious metals IRA. Eligible accounts include:
-Traditional IRA
-Roth IRA
-SEP IRA (Simplified Employee Pension)
-TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) for federal employees
-401(k) from previous employers
-403(b) for public school and non-profit employees
-457(b) for state and local government workers
-Pension Plans and Tax-Sheltered Annuities
⚠️ Important Notes: Active 401(k) accounts usually require you to be over age 59½ or separated from employment to qualify for rollover. Roth IRAs must be rolled into another Roth IRA. Consult a qualified tax advisor before proceeding to confirm your individual eligibility and ensure you maintain IRS compliance during the process.
Are there any tax consequences for transferring or rolling over my existing IRA into a precious metals IRA?
No, when done correctly, there are no taxes or penalties for rolling over or transferring your retirement funds into a self-directed precious metals IRA.
Direct Transfers (trustee-to-trustee) are:
-Tax-free
-Not reported to the IRS
-Have no limit on frequency
Rollover Transfers allow you to move funds directly into your new IRA:
You must complete the rollover within 60 days to avoid taxes
You can perform one rollover per account per 12-month period as long as you follow proper procedures, your retirement savings remain fully protected from tax liabilities during the transition.
How long does the setup process take?
Setting up your self-directed IRA is fast, easy, and fully guided by our team.
Here's what you can expect:
Step 1: Application submission takes 15–30 minutes with our assistance.
Step 2: Your chosen IRA custodian typically establishes your account within 24–48 hours.
Step 3: Transfer of funds from your current custodian can take between 5–7 business days, though exact timing depends on your outgoing financial institution.
Step 4: Once your account is funded, we will immediately help you select and purchase your metals.
Step 5: Your metals are shipped securely to your IRS-approved depository.
Overall, the process averages 7–14 business days from start to completion.
How are my precious metals shipped and stored?
We coordinate directly with insured, IRS-approved depositories to store your precious metals. All metals are shipped via fully insured, registered, and tracked delivery. We partner with reputable transport services such as Brinks and Loomis to ensure maximum security in transit. Your metals are stored at world-class vaults, including options for segregated storage, meaning your metals are not commingled with other accounts. You retain full legal title and ownership of your metals, verifiable through your custodian account statements. Valor PM LLC assumes full responsibility for your precious metals order until it arrives safely at the depository and is fully accounted for under your IRA.
Do I have access to my precious metals?
Yes, absolutely. Your metals are stored in your name, within your self-directed IRA account. You have full visibility and legal ownership through your custodian. Many depositories, such as Delaware Depository and Brinks, offer visitation privileges, allowing you to physically inspect your metals. You may request full or partial distribution of metals (with applicable taxes/penalties depending on your age) or sell back metals at any time. All holdings are monitored with third-party audits and insurance coverage, guaranteeing both transparency and security.
When Am I Able to Liquidate from My Self-Directed IRA?
With a self-directed precious metals IRA, you have full control and legal ownership of your assets, which means you can liquidate your metals at any time. However, at Valor PM, we strongly recommend allowing your investment to remain untouched for a minimum of 24 months.
Why the 24-Month Hold Policy?
The precious metals market—especially when investing in semi-numismatic coins and carefully structured portfolios—requires time to fully appreciate. By allowing your portfolio to grow for at least two years, you:
- Maximize your long-term profit potential
- Allow for market cycles to play out
- Benefit from compounding gains and strategic market positioning
Exiting early may prevent you from realizing the full profit margins that are typically designed into our portfolios.
⚠️ What If You Need to Liquidate Early?
We understand that life happens. While we encourage clients to stick to the growth plan, we are committed to helping you access your funds when necessary:
- Emergency Liquidations are available upon request.
- Partial or full liquidations can be processed quickly through our streamlined buyback system.
- All early liquidation requests are handled with priority service, ensuring you get fast access to your funds if the need arises.
Our Commitment to You: We believe in balancing flexibility with financial growth. Our team will always advise you on the best course of action for your financial future, while ensuring you have full liquidity options if urgent circumstances arise.
I Am Not Satisfied with My Current Custodian—Can I Rollover My Existing Gold IRA to Your IRS-Approved Custodian?
Yes, absolutely. If you are unhappy with your current custodian’s service, fees, or communication, you have the legal right to roll over or transfer your existing Gold IRA to one of our IRS-approved, top-tier custodians.
At Valor PM, we make the transition process simple and stress-free:
- We coordinate the entire direct transfer, ensuring it remains tax-free and penalty-free under IRS guidelines.
- There is no limit to the number of direct custodian-to-custodian transfers you can make in a year.
- You’ll gain access to faster transaction processing, transparent account management, and world-class client support with our preferred custodian partners.
Legal Support to Expedite Your Transfer
If you encounter any delays or resistance from your current custodian, we have a dedicated legal team that specializes in IRA transfers. Our legal experts are available to expedite the transfer process and ensure your retirement assets are moved quickly and securely without unnecessary hold-ups.
Can I purchase precious metals outright for personal delivery and storage?
Yes. You may purchase individually owned metals for direct delivery or secure storage. We offer:
- Home delivery (ships within 5–10 business days)
- Depository storage with 24/7 online account visibility
All purchases are fully insured in transit and securely packaged.
How long can I store my metals with you?
You can store your metals in our partner secure, insured vaults for as long as you'd like. However, our clients often use the following guidelines:
- First 30 days: Free storage with any purchase over $25,000
- 31–120 days: Standard storage fees apply (pro-rated monthly)
- Beyond 120 days: Eligible for long-term storage discount plans
Do you offer a buyback program for individually owned metals?
Yes — and it’s one of the strongest in the industry. Our buyback program guarantees:
- Within 30 days of purchase: Full repurchase at original price, minus market movement
- Within 60 days: Up to 100% of market value based on current spot
- Within 120 days or more: Top-tier pricing, often above competitors
We’ll provide a firm quote within 24 hours of your request.
What makes your buyback policy better than others?
We consistently outperform industry standards with:
- Better-than-spot buyback pricing on semi-numismatics and IRA-approved metals
- No restocking fees within the first 60 days
- Guaranteed price lock once metals are shipped with tracking
- Payment processing within 1–3 business days of receipt and verification
Can I sell metals I didn’t buy from your company?
Yes. We accept metals from any dealer if they meet basic standards. Our policy:
- Within 30 days of request: Free shipping kit provided
- 60–120 day window: Inspection and payout within 3 business days
- Over 120 days: High-volume options and portfolio rebalancing available
Are my metals insured and tracked?
Absolutely. Whether delivered to your door or stored with us:
- All metals are insured up to 100% of value
- Serial-numbered and logged into your account
- Regularly audited and independently verified
What do I need to sell my metals back?
For a fast, smooth transaction:
- Sales within 30 days require just your invoice and ID
- After 60–120 days, we may request additional verification
- We provide all paperwork and pre-filled forms
Even if you're missing documents, we’ll work with you.