Silver IRA Rollover - Everything You Need to Know in 2025

Are you considering investing in precious metals with your individual retirement account? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the silver IRA rollover process. You’ll learn how to choose a reputable self-directed IRA company, how to open a silver IRA and how to safely invest in physical silver. 

Silver IRA Rollover Key Takeaways 

• A silver IRA is a self-directed account that allows you to hold tangible assets such as physical silver and other precious metals.
• The three types of self-directed silver IRAs.
• How to choose a reputable self-directed IRA custodian.
• How to open a silver IRA and fund it.
• How to select the best gold and silver dealer.
• Learn about IRA-eligible silver bars and coins.
• Pros and cons of adding precious metals to your portfolio.
• How to sell silver within your IRA.
• Call CGE at 800-300-0715 

How Does a Silver IRA Account Work?

Most IRAs are limited to stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Self-directed IRAs however, permit investing in physical precious metals, and other alternative asset classes. 

Choosing a trustworthy silver IRA provider and an IRS-approved depository is important for secure storage of your precious metals.

Depositories offer both commingled and segregated storage for precious metals IRAs. Silver IRAs however must be stored commingled due to the physical silver being so bulky.

Types of Silver IRAs and Eligibility

There are three types of Silver IRAs: Traditional, Roth, and SEP, each with its own set of eligibility requirements and contribution limits.

Traditional Silver IRA

A Traditional Silver IRA is a tax-deferred investment vehicle that allows you to invest in silver and other precious metals. The key details of a Traditional Silver IRA are:

• The annual contribution limit is $7,000 or $8,000 for individuals over the age of 50.
• To be eligible, you must have earned income or be the spouse of someone who does.
• The silver must comply with the IRS-mandated purity standards.
• The silver must be stored in an IRS-approved depository.
• Early withdrawals may incur taxes and penalties.

Roth Silver IRA

Silver Roth IRAs have all of the same features as Traditional IRAs but contributions are made with after tax dollars and therefore distributions are tax-free.

The tax advantages of a Roth Silver IRA make it an attractive choice for individuals expecting to be in a higher tax bracket upon retirement. 

SEP Silver IRA

A Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) Silver IRA is designed specifically for self-employed individuals and small business owners. The eligibility criteria include being over 21, having worked for the business for three of the past five years, and having earned a minimum of $600 in paid salary.

The contribution limits for a SEP Silver IRA are significantly higher than the other IRA types, allowing for contributions of up to 25% of compensation or $70,000, whichever is less, in 2025. The tax deduction of up to 25% of your compensation makes it an attractive option for self-employed individuals looking to save for retirement while reducing their tax liabilities.

How to Set Up and Fund a Precious Metals IRA

Setting up and funding your silver IRA account involves a few essential steps including:

• Choosing a self directed IRA custodian
• Funding your new silver IRA
• Buying precious metals

The detailed process of establishing and funding a precious metal IRA account is discussed in the sections below.

Choosing a Precious Metals IRA Custodian

Choosing a trustworthy custodian is a vital step in setting up your account. Researching the company’s reputation and customer reviews is a good place to start.

Understanding the fees associated with your precious metal IRA is also important. The most competitive Silver IRA custodians typically charge an annual fee close to $225, including storage and insurance. 

Make sure to select a company that offers a flat storage and insurance rate. So if silver prices increase in value your storage fees don’t increase as well.

Call the Certified Gold Exchange at (800) 300-0715 for a list of self directed IRA custodians that offer flat rates.

Funding Your Self-Directed IRA

Funding your silver IRA can be accomplished in a few different ways. The first and most common method is to transfer IRA funds from an existing IRA account. This is called a direct transfer. You’ll simply complete a Transfer Request form to be submitted to your current custodian. They’ll typically transfer funds from your existing IRA to your new one within a few days.

The second most common option is a rollover. A Silver IRA rollover entails moving funds from a 401k, 403b, 457b or Thrift Savings Plan. Most rollovers from existing retirement accounts can be initiated verbally with the plan administrator. Sometimes they’ll require their own documentation to be completed. The process will typically take a bit longer than a direct transfer.

The third option to fund a Silver IRA is by making an annual contribution. The maximum contribution limit for for 2025 is $7,000, or $8,000 if you are 50 or older.

Purchasing Approved Silver Assets

Once your account is funded, it’s time to purchase IRA-eligible silver coins and bars. The silver must be produced by US-accredited manufacturers or sovereign mints and be 99.9% pure. Some of the authorized foreign sovereign mints include:

• United States Mint
• Royal Canadian Mint
• Royal Mint of England
• Austrian Mint
• Australian Mint

You can’t go wrong with Silver American Eagle coins or Canadian Maple Leafs. Avoid “exclusive” or “premium” coins at all costs. Many investors are frequently pushed into these apparently collectible coins by unscrupulous dealers that tend to overcharge you by anywhere from 30-60%.

Diversifying with Other Precious Metals

Diversification of your IRA account with other precious metals besides silver can offer further protection for your retirement portfolio. Each physical metal has it’s own unique performance characteristics. For example, gold and silver tend to move up and down in tandem, but gold has historically moved first. And while silver prices may lag initially, they’ve eventually caught up and outperformed gold by 200-300%.

Therefore you may want to incorporate a mix of precious metals to create a more resilient and well-rounded investment portfolio.

Choosing a Reputable Gold & Silver IRA Company

Choosing a trustworthy Silver & Gold IRA company is by far the most important factor. Make sure to consider the following:

1. Stay away from “Best Gold IRA Company” review sites because they’re not unbiased. The dealers pay them.
2. Avoid companies that have celebrity endorsements because they’re expensive and you ultimately end up paying for it.
3. Don’t fall for “free silver” promotions, you’re paying for that too.
4. Make sure the Silver IRA company you choose has a flawless reputation. And don’t think that an A + BBB rating guarantees that, it doesn’t.
5. Search for complaints against the company you’re researching to verify what other clients have to say about them.
6. Or to avoid these potential pitfalls just call CGE at (800) 300-0715. We have a perfect reputation going back over 33 years. Have never had a client complaint. And will help you to diversify your retirement portfolio with physical gold and silver bullion.
7. Lastly, make sure to read our Gold and Silver IRA Scams report to help protect yourself. 

Benefits of Investing in Silver IRA

Investing in a Silver IRA can provide a hedge against rising inflation. As paper assets like stocks or bonds fall in value, physical assets like silver coins can perform well. Silver tends to do well while other mainstream assets like stocks and bonds underperform.

Silver is the second most utilized commodity, other than oil. Industrial demand for silver has never been higher. Industrial uses for silver in solar panels, electric vehicles and anything that has an electrical circuit all but guarantee a favorable supply and demand situation. 

Investing in silver while it’s undervalued can offer significant appreciation. Silvers all time high was just under $50 back in 2011. Silver has over 50% upside potential just to get back to that point. What other physical assets do you know of that cost half of what they did over a decade ago?

Summary

In conclusion, precious metals IRAs are fairly straightforward and offer a valuable investment opportunity for individuals looking for diversification for their retirement savings and a hedge against inflation. Diversifying your IRA account with gold and silver can further strengthen your investment portfolio. 

When researching Silver IRA companies, it’s essential to consider their reputations and any complaints they may have. With the right company such as CGE and a well-rounded investment strategy, you can secure your retirement savings and enjoy the benefits of a Silver IRA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a silver backed IRA a good investment?

Although past performance cannot guarantee future results, historically a silver IRA has been an excellent way to diversify and grow your retirement portfolio. Whether you’re looking to hedge against rising inflation or a potential economic downturn, silver may prove to be very effective in protecting your retirement account.

Can I store my physical silver bullion in my IRA at home?

No. Per the IRS code your gold, silver, platinum and palladium must be stored at an IRS-approved depository.

What does it mean when silver is IRA eligible?

Silver can be IRA-eligible when it is in the form of approved bullion that meets purity requirements or is manufactured by an approved mint.

Are silver mining stocks a good investment.

Although we can’t provide investment advice, there are certain risks associated with silver mining stocks that you don’t have with physical silver coin or bars. A few things to consider are that miners carry risk that you don’t have with a physical item because you’re invested in a company, not a tangible item. Many investors like the peace of mind of owning real physical silver bars and coins that you just don’t get by owning shares in a stock.

To get your silver IRA rollover started now call our experts at 800-300-0715 today. 

Written by Gold IRA Experts Pat Collins and John Halloran