Gold IRA Rollover Guide
After 30 years at the plant, the hospital, or behind the wheel, your 401(k) deserves careful handling. You built it one paycheck at a time. Now it's time to protect it.
This is simpler than it sounds. A direct rollover moves your savings to a Gold IRA without taxes or penalties. Your Gold IRA company handles the paperwork. Find your provider below for step-by-step instructions.
Not Sure Where to Start? You're Not Alone.
Most people feel nervous about this process. Augusta handles everything—they contact your provider, complete the paperwork, and make sure nothing goes wrong.
Rollover by Account Type
Select your retirement account type
401(k) to Gold IRA
The most common employer-sponsored retirement plan, allowing pre-tax contributions with employer matching.
Traditional IRA to Gold IRA
A personal retirement account with tax-deductible contributions and tax-deferred growth.
Roth IRA to Gold IRA
A personal retirement account with after-tax contributions and tax-free qualified withdrawals.
TSP to Gold IRA
Retirement savings plan for federal employees and uniformed services members.
403(b) to Gold IRA
Retirement plan for public school employees, non-profit workers, and certain ministers.
SEP IRA to Gold IRA
Retirement plan for self-employed individuals and small business owners with high contribution limits.
457(b) to Gold IRA
Retirement plan for state and local government employees and some non-profit workers.
SIMPLE IRA to Gold IRA
Retirement plan for small businesses with 100 or fewer employees.
Pension to Gold IRA
Traditional pension plan providing guaranteed retirement income based on salary and years of service.
Brokerage Rollovers
Roll over from Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab & more
Fidelity
BrokerageFidelity Investments is one of the largest retirement plan administrators in the United States, managing over $11 trillion in assets. Rolling over a Fidelity 401(k) or IRA to a Gold IRA is a straightforward process.
Vanguard
BrokerageVanguard is known for low-cost index funds and manages retirement accounts for millions of Americans. Their rollover process requires some paperwork but is well-documented.
Charles Schwab
BrokerageCharles Schwab merged with TD Ameritrade and now serves millions of retirement account holders. They offer one of the faster rollover processes in the industry.
Merrill Lynch
BrokerageMerrill Lynch, now part of Bank of America, provides retirement services for both individual and employer-sponsored accounts.
Employer Plan Rollovers
Roll over from TIAA, Principal, Empower & more
TIAA
Employer PlanTIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association) primarily serves educators, healthcare workers, and non-profit employees. Their rollover process can be more complex due to annuity products.
Principal Financial
Employer PlanPrincipal Financial Group administers retirement plans for thousands of employers. Their rollover process varies by plan but generally follows standard procedures.
Empower Retirement
Employer PlanEmpower Retirement serves over 17 million participants across employer-sponsored plans. They've consolidated several major recordkeepers including MassMutual and Great-West.
John Hancock
Employer PlanJohn Hancock is a major provider of employer-sponsored retirement plans, particularly in the small to mid-size business market.
Prudential
Employer PlanPrudential Financial manages retirement plans for many Fortune 500 companies and offers individual annuity products as well.
Government Plan Rollovers
TSP and federal employee retirement plans
How a Gold IRA Rollover Works
Four steps. That's it. Your Gold IRA company handles most of the work. You don't touch the money, so there's no tax hit.
Open Gold IRA
15-minute phone call to set up your new account
They Handle Paperwork
Your Gold IRA company contacts your old provider for you
Funds Transfer
Money moves directly between accounts—tax-free
Choose Your Metals
Pick IRS-approved gold and silver for your protected retirement
Questions We Hear All the Time
Straight answers. No financial jargon. Just the facts you need.
Will I owe taxes on this?
No. A direct rollover is 100% tax-free. The money goes straight from your old account to your Gold IRA—you never touch it. No taxes, no penalties. It's the same money, just in a different account.
Can I do this if I'm still working?
If you're 59½ or older, most plans allow it even while you're still employed. If you're leaving your job or already retired, you can roll over anytime. And 401(k)s from old jobs? Those can always be rolled over—no restrictions.
How long does this take?
Usually 1-2 weeks from start to finish. Fidelity and Schwab are faster (3-7 days). Employer plans like TIAA or Principal take a bit longer (10-14 days). Your Gold IRA company tracks the whole thing for you.
What if I mess something up?
That's why you use a direct rollover—there's nothing to mess up. The money goes straight between custodians. You don't handle it, so there's no 60-day deadline to worry about and no risk of triggering taxes by accident.
Why direct rollovers are safer401(k) Provider Rollover Guides
Step-by-step instructions for your specific provider
T. Rowe Price
Rollover guide & process
Transamerica
Rollover guide & process
Principal Financial
Rollover guide & process
Empower
Formerly Prudential
Voya Financial
Rollover guide & process
John Hancock
Rollover guide & process
ADP Retirement
Rollover guide & process
Paychex
Rollover guide & process
Wells Fargo
Rollover guide & process
Nationwide
Rollover guide & process
Wells Fargo
Rollover guide & process
Merrill Lynch
Rollover guide & process
Detailed Rollover Guides
401(k) to Gold IRA
Complete guide for 401(k) holders
TSP to Gold IRA
For federal employees
403(b) to Gold IRA
For teachers & non-profits
457(b) to Gold IRA
For government workers
Old 401(k) Options
What to do with old accounts
401(k) Alternatives
Beyond traditional options
Direct vs Indirect
Critical rollover rules
60-Day Rule
Rollover deadline explained
You Built It. Now Protect It.
After decades of work, your retirement savings deserve real protection. Augusta handles everything—they call your provider, complete the paperwork, and make sure your rollover goes smoothly. No cost to find out if it's right for you.
A Gold IRA rollover transfers funds from your existing 401(k), IRA, TSP, or other retirement account into a self-directed IRA that holds physical gold. Direct rollovers are 100% tax-free with zero penalties. The process takes 2-3 weeks and your current custodian handles the transfer.
- Direct rollovers: 100% tax-free, zero penalties, no dollar limit
- Timeline: 2-3 weeks from start to finish
- Works with 401(k), IRA, TSP, 403(b), 457(b), and more
- Your Gold IRA company handles all paperwork