For investors who value the stability of precious metals, the idea of holding physical gold or silver in an IRA can be enticing. Companies like GoldPro and Birch Gold Group have built entire businesses around facilitating this, promising to help you secure your retirement with tangible assets that have stood the test of time. But what many investors don’t realize is the steep price of this privilege: these companies often charge significant fees that can quietly erode returns, making the allure of physical gold in your IRA far more costly than it seems.

Investing in gold and other precious metals has a longstanding allure. The idea of holding tangible, timeless assets that have been valuable for millennia feels both safe and prestigious. But in reality, the appeal of gold and precious metals can often be more about perception than performance.