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Head-to-Head Comparison

GoldvsTraditional IRA

Which asset better protects your retirement savings? We compare physical gold against Traditional IRA (IRA) on returns, risk, and inflation protection.

Gold Advantage Score: 90/100
Hard Asset

Physical Gold

RECOMMENDED

Physical gold bullion, the ultimate store of value for 5,000 years.

10-Year Return
+8.4%
annualized
Volatility
15.2%
std deviation
Max Drawdown-44%
Inflation Correlation+0.68
Key Benefits
Zero counterparty risk
Cannot be printed or devalued
Recognized globally as money
Central banks hold 35,000+ tonnes
Paper Asset

Traditional IRA

Ticker
IRA

Individual retirement account with tax-deferred growth. Same risks as 401(k) with more flexibility.

10-Year Return
+7.8%
annualized
Volatility
14.2%
std deviation
Max Drawdown-48%
Inflation Correlation-0.18
Key Risks
Contribution limits ($7,000/year)
Income limits for deductions
RMDs required at 73
Can rollover to Gold IRA

Performance Comparison

MetricGoldTraditional IRAWinner
1-Year Return13.2%12.4%GOLD
5-Year Return10.8%8.2%GOLD
10-Year Return8.4%7.8%GOLD
Volatility (Lower = Better)15.2%14.2%IRA
Max Drawdown (Smaller = Better)-44%-48%GOLD
Inflation Protection0.68-0.18GOLD

The Verdict: Gold vs Traditional IRA

While Traditional IRA may offer higher short-term returns, gold provides superior wealth protection for retirees. Gold's lower volatility, better inflation correlation, and zero counterparty risk make it the smarter choice for preserving purchasing power.

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