You've decided to invest in physical gold or other precious metals to diversify your retirement savings. Smart move! Now, you need to find the right precious metals IRA company to work with.
In this review, I'll compare two top contenders - Augusta Precious Metals and Noble Gold Investments. Both have strong reputations, but which is better for your specific needs? Let's weigh the pros and cons.
Reputation and Trustworthiness
With any investment, especially one for your retirement nest egg, reputation and trust are paramount.
Augusta Precious Metals has been in business since 2012, steadily building an impeccable reputation. They have zero complaints with the BBB and other consumer protection sites. Their A+ rating with the BBB has been maintained for over a decade.
Noble Gold is a newer company founded in 2016. However, its founders have over 20 years of experience in the gold business. Noble Gold has maintained an excellent reputation, with an A+ rating from the BBB and generally positive reviews.
For both trustworthiness and time in business, Augusta Precious Metals has a slight edge.
Fees and Minimums
The account fees charged by a gold IRA company can really eat into your investment returns over time. Assess the account setup fees, annual administrative and storage fees, and minimum account size requirements.
Augusta has a $50 account setup fee, $80 annual admin fee, and $100 storage fee. The minimum to open an IRA is $50,000. For non-IRA purchases, the minimum is also $50,000.
Noble Gold has no account setup fee. Their annual fees are $80 for admin and $150 for storage. For IRAs, the minimum is $20,000. And the minimum for cash purchases is $2,000.
Overall, Noble Gold has more attractive minimums and fees for the average investor.
Range of Products
The types of physical precious metals you can hold in your IRA are dictated by IRS rules. But within those confines, some companies offer more products and diversity than others.
Augusta Precious Metals provides an extensive inventory of gold and silver coins and bars. Products include gold American Eagles, Canadian Maples, South African Krugerrands, etc.
Noble Gold also offers a broad selection of gold and silver. Additionally, they offer platinum and palladium products. For proper portfolio diversification, Noble Gold has the edge.
Education Resources
Researching how gold IRAs work and staying compliant with IRS rules takes homework. The best gold IRA companies provide ample educational resources.
Augusta is the clear winner on the education front. Their website provides videos, articles, price charts, retirement calculators, and a downloadable free gold IRA guide. You can also schedule a 1-on-1 call with an expert.
Noble Gold provides some useful articles and free investment guides to download. However, their educational offerings don't match the depth of Augusta's.
Customer Service
You want responsive, personalized customer service when buying precious metals, especially when opening an IRA.
Augusta Precious Metals provides customer service via phone, email, and live online chat. You get a dedicated account manager to walk you through each step. Phone support is available from 6 am - 5 pm PST on weekdays.
Noble Gold also gets high marks for customer service. You can reach them by phone and email. Phone support hours are more limited than Augusta's.
For going the extra mile on phone availability and individualized support, Augusta Precious Metals wins for top-notch customer service.
The Bottom Line
Overall, Augusta Precious Metals and Noble Gold Investments both earn their reputation as top-tier gold IRA companies. Choosing between the two comes down to your individual needs and priorities as an investor.
Augusta stands out for its world-class educational resources, stellar customer support, and range of gold/silver products. I give them a slight edge for total beginners investing in precious metals for the first time.
Noble Gold offers lower account minimums, competitive fees, and added diversification with platinum and palladium. Their wide selection gives investors more portfolio options. Noble Gold is likely the better fit for experienced investors.
Whichever company you decide, you can invest in a gold IRA with confidence. Both Augusta and Noble Gold have the history, reputation, and resources to serve your precious metals IRA needs.
