Precious Metals IRA Statistics 2026: Holdings, Fees, Industry Growth, Market Share & Assets Under Management
Precious metals IRA statistics 2026 land in the middle of the biggest gold rally in four decades. Spot gold cleared $5,000/oz for the first time on January 26, 2026, after a 64% gain in 2025 (the largest since 1979). US gold ETFs hold a record 2,019 tonnes worth ~$280 billion (World Gold Council). This page aggregates the verified numbers behind the move: industry size, custodian and dealer market share, fees, depository data, and what investors are actually holding. Self-Directed IRA Statistics 2026.
TL;DR
The precious metals IRA segment is projected to reach $22.6 billion by 2027, currently in the $15–$20B range. Gold accounts for ~80% of metal value held, silver 15–18%, platinum and palladium low single digits combined. Active Gold IRA marketers grew from <10 (2014) to 100+ (2024). Average new account orders ran $35K–$100K through early 2024 and have risen with prices. Realistic all-in annual cost: $200–$400 plus dealer spread. Top SDIRA custodians by AUC: Equity Trust ($81B), Columbia Private Trust ($18B), IRA Financial ($5B+). Top dealer-facing brands: Goldco ($2B+ placements), Augusta, American Hartford Gold, Birch Gold, Noble Gold.
Key precious metals IRA statistics at a glance (2026)
| Metric | 2026 Figure | Source |
| Spot gold all-time high | $5,000+ (Jan 26, 2026) | CNBC, USGB |
| Gold annual return 2025 | +64% (largest since 1979) | WGC |
| US gold ETF holdings (record) | 2,019 tonnes / ~$280B AUM | WGC 2025 |
| US gold demand 2025 | 679 tonnes (+140% YoY) | WGC US Focus 2025 |
| Central bank gold buying 2025 | 850–863 tonnes (16th straight year net buying) | WGC |
| Central bank gold buying 2026 (projected) | ~755 tonnes | WGC |
| Gold IRA companies actively marketing | 100+ (vs <10 in 2014) | Industry estimates |
| Average Gold IRA order size | $35,000–$100,000 | 2023–early 2024 dealer data |
| Precious metals IRA market projection (2027) | $22.6 billion | Industry forecast |
| IRS gold purity minimum | 99.5% (.995) | IRC §408(m) |
| IRS silver purity minimum | 99.9% (.999) | IRC §408(m) |
| IRS platinum / palladium purity minimum | 99.95% (.9995) | IRC §408(m) |
| Realistic annual PMIRA cost | $200–$400 | Custodian schedules, 2026 |
| Common allocation guidance | 5–15% of portfolio | Advisor consensus |
| Annual 401(k) → IRA rollover flow | ~$500 billion | Cerulli Associates |
Precious metals IRA statistics 2026 holdings fees industry growth market share assets under management
The precious metals IRA market in 2026 sits in the $15–$20 billion range, on track for $22.6 billion by 2027. Holdings concentrate in gold (~80% of value), silver (15–18%), and a small platinum/palladium tail. Active Gold IRA marketers expanded 10x in a decade. Market share is concentrated on the custody side (Equity Trust, Columbia Private Trust, STRATA, IRA Financial) and the dealer side (Goldco, Augusta, American Hartford, Birch, Noble).
Holdings mix (by retail dealer estimates)
| Metal | Share of PMIRA Value | Most Common Products |
| Gold | ~80% | 1 oz American Eagle, Maple Leaf, Buffalo, kilo bars |
| Silver | ~15–18% | 1 oz Silver Eagle, 10 oz / 100 oz bars |
| Platinum | ~2–3% | 1 oz American Platinum Eagle, Maple Leaf |
| Palladium | ~1–2% | 1 oz Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf |
Industry growth (1997 → 2026)
The 1997 Taxpayer Relief Act, lobbied for by the Industry Council for Tangible Assets, expanded IRA eligibility beyond American Gold Eagles to a broader bullion universe. Phase one (1997–2010) was niche. Phase two (2010–2020) grew on post-2008 safe-haven flows. Phase three started with the 2020 inflation cycle and accelerated through the 2025–2026 price rally. Cerulli Associates puts annual 401(k) → IRA rollover flow at ~$500 billion, with a growing slice routing into self-directed accounts holding physical metal.
Latest precious metals IRA statistics 2026 assets under management fees growth
AUM proxies stack three ways: $280B in US-listed gold ETFs (WGC 2025), $15–$20B in physical-metal SDIRAs (industry estimate), $22.6B projected by 2027. Fees cluster tightly across reputable custodians. Growth is split roughly two-thirds price appreciation, one-third net new funding in 2025.
2026 fee benchmarks
| Fee Component | 2026 Range | Typical |
| Account setup (one-time) | $50–$300 | $50–$100 |
| Annual maintenance | $75–$250 | ~$125 |
| Storage — commingled | $100–$150/yr | $100 |
| Storage — segregated | $150–$300/yr | $150 |
| Transaction fee | $20–$195 per buy/sell | $40 |
| Wire / check | $25–$50 each | $30 |
| Termination | $100–$250 | $150 |
| Combined custodian + storage | $175–$500/yr | $225–$275 |
Dealer mark-up sits separately from custodian fees and is where most dealer profit lives. Spreads run 3% on bullion coins to 30%+ on aggressively marketed “semi-numismatic” pieces. New-account inquiries at major Gold IRA dealers reportedly tripled between Q4 2024 (gold above $3,000) and Q1 2026 (gold above $5,000).
Latest precious metals IRA statistics 2026 assets under management
No IRS data series breaks out precious metals IRAs as a line item. The segment is sized by combining three sources:
- Public AUC from top SDIRA custodians. Equity Trust ($81B AUC, January 2026), Columbia Private Trust ($18B), IRA Financial ($5B+), Entrust ($4B+). Precious metals is a meaningful slice of each.
- US-listed gold ETF AUM as directional proxy: $280B across 2,019 tonnes at year-end 2025 (WGC).
- Dealer placement disclosures: Goldco $2B+ cumulative, others undisclosed but estimated in high hundreds of millions annually combined.
Combining these, the physical-metal-inside-SDIRA segment lands at $15–$20 billion in mid-2026, tracking toward $22.6 billion by 2027. That is ~0.1% of the $19.2 trillion total US IRA market but a far larger share of the SDIRA category. Industry insiders attribute roughly two-thirds of 2025 AUM growth to price appreciation and one-third to net new funding.
Gold IRA industry statistics 2025 2026
- Active Gold IRA marketers: <10 in 2014, 100+ by 2024.
- Average Gold IRA order size: $35,000–$100,000 (2023–early 2024); higher in 2026 with price rally.
- Goldco cumulative precious metals placements: $2 billion+.
- US gold ETF holdings: record 2,019 tonnes / $280B AUM at year-end 2025 (WGC).
- US gold demand 2025: 679 tonnes, +140% YoY, highest since 2020 (WGC US Focus 2025).
- Central bank gold buying 2025: 850–863 tonnes, 16th consecutive year of net buying.
- Central bank gold buying 2026 (projected): ~755 tonnes.
- Gold 2025 return: +64%, largest annual gain since 1979.
- Spot gold crossed $5,000/oz for the first time on January 26, 2026 (peak briefly $5,110–$5,115).
- Silver peaked at $113/oz, platinum $2,900+, palladium $1,334 in the same rally.
- Augusta Precious Metals minimum investment: $50,000 (highest among majors).
- Birch Gold Group minimum investment: $10,000 (lowest among majors).
Top dealer-facing Gold IRA brands (2026)
| Company | Minimum Investment | Notable Data Point |
| Augusta Precious Metals | $50,000 | A+ BBB, zero complaints filed |
| Goldco | $25,000 (typical) | $2B+ cumulative placements |
| American Hartford Gold | $10,000 | Strong rollover marketing |
| Birch Gold Group | $10,000 | Lowest major-brand minimum |
| Noble Gold Investments | $2,000–$20,000 | Texas depository preference |
| Patriot Gold Group | $25,000 | Lifetime fee-free promotions |
| Priority Gold | Varies | Wealth-protection positioning |
| Lear Capital | $25,000 | Long-established, broad metal menu |
Self-directed IRA precious metals holdings data
SDIRA precious metals holdings cluster around the most liquid, lowest-premium products. Dealer data points to gold dominance, silver as the main diversifier, and a small platinum/palladium tail. Storage splits between commingled (lower-cost default) and segregated (used by larger accounts and bar-heavy positions).
Storage format
- Commingled: ~$100/year. Metals stored with other clients’ identical products in a shared vault but identifiable as the IRA’s allocated holding. Most retail PMIRAs default here.
- Segregated: $150–$300/year. Specific bars and coins identified and stored separately. Preferred for larger accounts.
Storage location market share
Delaware Depository Service Company (DDSC, Wilmington DE) is accepted by 11 of 12 major SDIRA custodians per a March 2026 survey. Brink’s Global Services (Salt Lake City, Los Angeles) and International Depository Services (Delaware, Texas) round out the top three. Texas Precious Metals Depository (Shiner, TX) and CNT Depository (Massachusetts) hold the next-largest shares.
Eligible precious metals and IRS purity requirements (2026)
| Metal | Minimum Purity | Example Eligible Coins |
| Gold | 99.5% (.995) | Canadian Maple Leaf, Australian Kangaroo, Austrian Philharmonic, Gold Buffalo |
| Silver | 99.9% (.999) | American Silver Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, Mexican Libertad |
| Platinum | 99.95% (.9995) | American Platinum Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, Australian Koala |
| Palladium | 99.95% (.9995) | Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf, American Palladium Eagle |
The American Gold Eagle is the major exception. It is 91.67% (22-karat) gold but was grandfathered into IRA eligibility by the 1997 Taxpayer Relief Act. It is also the most-held bullion product in US precious metals IRAs.
Approved bars and refiners
Bars and rounds are eligible only from approved refiners: NYMEX, COMEX, LBMA, LPPM, NYSE/Liffe, TOCOM, or ISO 9000-approved. Common examples: PAMP Suisse, Credit Suisse, Royal Canadian Mint, Perth Mint, Argor-Heraeus, Sunshine Mint, Asahi Refining, Sprott.
What is not eligible
- Collectible / numismatic / proof coins valued for rarity (IRC §408(m) prohibits).
- Pre-1933 US gold coins — sometimes marketed as IRA-eligible, they are not.
- Krugerrands — below .995 purity, no American Eagle exception.
- Foreign coins from non-recognized sovereign mints.
IRS-approved depositories (2026)
Home storage disqualifies the account. Approved third-party depositories used by precious metals IRA custodians:
| Depository | Locations | Notable Detail |
| Delaware Depository (DDSC) | Wilmington, DE | Most widely accepted (11 of 12 SDIRA custodians) |
| Brink’s Global Services | Salt Lake City, UT; Los Angeles, CA | 160+ year operator; Lloyd’s-insured |
| International Depository Services (IDS) | Delaware; Texas | Two-state footprint |
| Texas Precious Metals Depository | Shiner, TX | State-chartered |
| CNT Depository | Bridgewater, MA | Federal-Reserve-approved coin processor |
| A-M Global Logistics | Las Vegas, NV | Newer entrant |
| HSBC / JP Morgan vaults | New York, NY | Institutional-grade |
Central bank gold buying and the 2025–2026 price rally
| Year | Net CB Purchases (tonnes) | Notable Detail |
| 2022 | ~1,082 | Record at the time |
| 2023 | ~1,037 | Second year above 1,000t |
| 2024 | ~1,045 | Third year above 1,000t |
| 2025 | ~850–863 | 16th consecutive year of net buying |
| 2026 (projected) | ~755 | Below peak but elevated vs pre-2022 norms |
Top central bank buyers (2025–2026)
- Poland: largest buyer in 2025 (+102 tonnes, reserves to 550t). Also largest 2026 buyer through March.
- China: +25 tonnes February 2026, reserves at 2,257t.
- India: +18 tonnes February 2026, holdings at 822t.
- Kazakhstan: +57 tonnes in 2025, record annual purchase back to 1993.
- Brazil: +43 tonnes Sep–Nov 2025, holdings at 172t.
68% of central banks surveyed plan to add gold in 2026. Gold cleared $5,000/oz on January 26, 2026 and trades around $4,508 as of late May. Silver ~$75, platinum ~$1,920, palladium ~$1,334. Goldman Sachs year-end 2026 target: $5,400. Societe Generale: $6,000.
Precious metals IRA contribution limits and rollover rules (2026)
| Provision | 2026 Limit | 2025 |
| IRA contribution (under 50) | $7,500 | $7,000 |
| IRA catch-up (50+) | $1,100 | $1,000 |
| IRA total (50+) | $8,600 | $8,000 |
Rollovers (not annual contributions) are the bigger funding source. Direct trustee-to-trustee transfers from a 401(k) or Traditional IRA into a precious metals IRA are uncapped. Indirect rollovers are subject to the 60-day window and the one-rollover-per-12-month rule.
Rollover timeline (typical)
- Days 1–3: Open the precious metals IRA.
- Days 3–10: Initiate direct rollover from existing retirement account.
- Days 10–21: Funds settle in the new IRA.
- Days 21–30: Purchase IRS-eligible metals through a dealer.
- Days 30–45: Metals delivered to the depository in the IRA’s name.
Investor demographics and allocation guidance (2026)
Precious metals IRA investors skew age 50+, pre-retirement or retirement-age, with $200,000+ in total retirement savings. Most fund through rollover rather than new contributions. Common allocation guidance:
- 5–15% of total retirement portfolio in precious metals.
- Above 25% is considered concentrated by independent advisors.
- Within the precious metals slice, gold gets 60–80%, silver as main diversifier.
Risks specific to precious metals IRAs
General SDIRA risks (prohibited transactions, valuation, fraud) apply — see the SDIRA hub for the broader framework. Precious metals specific risks:
- Dealer mark-up opacity. Spreads run 3% on bullion coins to 30%+ on “semi-numismatic” coins. Stick to bullion close to spot.
- “Home storage gold IRA” marketing. Not recognized by IRS. McNulty v. Commissioner (157 TC 10, 2021) ruled against home storage and held the entire IRA was distributed.
- Pre-1933 US gold coin schemes. Marketed as IRA-eligible. They are not.
- Pressure-selling on numismatic coins with 20–50% premiums. Not IRA-eligible.
- Storage fee creep. Some custodians scale storage with metal value, compounding during rallies.
Methodology and sources
This page aggregates publicly disclosed statistics from primary sources. Data current as of May 23, 2026. Holdings-share percentages by metal are dealer-estimate based (no consolidated industry series exists) and labeled as such.
Primary sources
- World Gold Council — Gold Demand Trends, Full Year 2025
- World Gold Council — US Gold Demand Trends Q4 / Full Year 2025
- World Gold Council — Central Banks Gold Reserves by Country
- IRS — IRC §408(m), Investments in Collectibles
- IRS — Notice 2025-67 (2026 contribution limits)
- US Mint — American Eagle Gold Coin Sales
- Investment Company Institute — Quarterly Retirement Market Data, Q4 2025
- GAO-17-102 — Retirement Security: Risks of Unconventional Assets
- McNulty v. Commissioner, 157 TC 10 (2021)
- Cerulli Associates — 401(k)-to-IRA rollover flow data
- Delaware Depository Service Company
- Retirement Industry Trust Association (RITA)
Internal references
Key takeaways
- Precious metals IRA segment: $15–$20B in 2026, projected $22.6B by 2027.
- Holdings mix: gold ~80%, silver 15–18%, platinum/palladium low single digits.
- Spot gold cleared $5,000/oz on January 26, 2026 (64% gain in 2025, largest since 1979).
- Central banks bought 850–863 tonnes in 2025 (16th straight year). 68% plan to add in 2026.
- All-in annual PMIRA cost: $200–$400 plus dealer spread.
- IRS purity: gold .995, silver .999, platinum/palladium .9995. American Gold Eagle (.9167) is the exception.
- Delaware Depository dominates storage (11 of 12 major SDIRA custodians use it).
- Top dealer brands: Goldco ($2B+ placements), Augusta, American Hartford, Birch, Noble.
- Home storage gold IRA is not recognized — McNulty v. Commissioner (157 TC 10, 2021).
- Common allocation: 5–15% of retirement portfolio.
FAQs
How big is the precious metals IRA market in 2026?
$15–$20 billion in physical metal AUM mid-2026, projected $22.6 billion by 2027. About 0.1% of the $19.2 trillion total US IRA market but a meaningful share of the SDIRA category.
What is the average gold IRA account size?
$35,000–$100,000 in 2023 and early 2024 per industry reports. Higher in 2026 with the price rally.
What are typical gold IRA fees?
Setup $50–$100 one-time. Annual maintenance ~$125. Storage $100–$300/year. All-in $200–$400 plus dealer spread.
What percentage of a retirement portfolio should be in precious metals?
5–15% is the common advisor recommendation. Above 25% is concentrated. Within precious metals, 60–80% gold typical.
What metals can I hold?
Gold (.995), silver (.999), platinum and palladium (.9995). American Gold Eagle (.9167) is grandfathered. Collectibles and numismatic coins are not eligible.
Can I store gold IRA metals at home?
No. Required at an IRS-approved depository. McNulty v. Commissioner (157 TC 10, 2021) confirmed home storage disqualifies the IRA.
How fast is the gold IRA industry growing?
Active marketers: <10 (2014) to 100+ (2024). Dealer inquiries reportedly tripled Q4 2024 to Q1 2026 as gold cleared $3,000 then $5,000. 2025 AUM growth was ~2/3 price, 1/3 net new funding.
Where are PMIRA metals stored?
Delaware Depository (DDSC) dominates — accepted by 11 of 12 major SDIRA custodians. Brink’s and IDS round out the top three.
Have Questions About Your Self-Directed IRA?
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with Bullionite Asset Group. No pitch, no pressure, no referral commissions.
As the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Bullionite and Bullionite Asset Group, I’ve built my career on a simple premise understanding the intersection of macroeconomics, commodities, and digital assets to stay ahead of the curve, not under it. My focus is on navigating the complexities of the world’s largest markets spanning the US, the Middle East, and Asia to identify high-value opportunities for alternative investment.
With a specialized focus on Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRAs), I help investors move beyond traditional 401ks by integrating assets like precious metals and cryptocurrency into their retirement strategies. Based in Newport Beach, California, I am dedicated to bridging the gap between traditional finance and the evolving landscape of new age digital assets, ensuring that every strategic move is backed by deep market insight and a commitment to long-term growth.
