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Individual retirement accounts offer a secure way to save for the future and achieve a terrific lifestyle after a person stops working. There are many options investors can choose to create these accounts, including different account types.
Precious metals are an incredible option for retirement plans as the metals don't lose value like cash. Investors compare providers who offer IRAs to establish which plans and service providers most effectively meet their needs.
Before we get started, investing your savings is a serious task. When it comes to adding precious metals to your portfolio, how do you know which companies to trust?
That is why we have researched every company in the industry and selected the very few with the highest customer service standards.
This way you can easily compare the best companies in the business, and choose one that fits your needs and investment goals.
Read the list to see if Merrill Edge passed our strict customer service standards to become one of our top recommendations.
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Who Is Merrill Edge?
Merrill Edge has been offering investment services for many decades and offers individual retirement funds funded by precious metals.
Comparing Merrill Edge to other well-known companies can help investors choose the most appropriate provider for their gold or precious metals IRA.
Merrill Edge has been in business since 1948 in Seattle, Washington, and offers traditional banking services. Some people wonder if they can buy gold bars from Bank of America, but that is not a good idea. The reason is because the Bank of America Company offers banking and investing services for clients. They do not offer physical precious metals.
While the Better Business Bureau doesn't accredit it, the company has a 1.06-star and an A+ rating from the BBB. As of 2023, there were 7,653 customer complaints in the last three years, with 2,689 complaints within the previous twelve months.
What Does Merrill Edge Offer Customers?
Merrill Edge offers investment and banking services for its clients. The company's investment opportunities include stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, and fixed income and bonds.
On the company website, clients access many tools to help them, including the idea builder and Merrill Edge Market Pro software. Clients find many advisors to help them make sound decisions about investing and offer self-directed and guided investment services.
Merrill Edge offers various retirement and savings products, including 529 college savings plans, custodial UGMA/UTMA accounts, and small business options. The small business accounts include small business 401(k), individual 401(k), SEP IRA, Simple IRA, and business investor accounts.
Can Customers Get a Gold IRA?
Because of geopolitical turmoil and chaos in the financial markets, many investors are asking how to move a 401k to gold IRA rollover without a penalty.
Well, unfortunately Merrill Edge doesn't provide a self-directed gold IRA for clients to store precious metals at home or outside a depository. The bank has strict requirements for these accounts, and account holders must hire a custodian and set up their depository account.
Investors can choose a rollover, traditional, or Roth account for their gold IRA through Merrill Edge. The company also provides inherited IRA plans, including Roth and traditional options.
Top 3 Companies Choosing Over Merrill Edge
Investors have three alternatives to Merrill Edge that offer many more services and better accommodate customers' needs. Many investors want more choices regarding how they invest in a retirement plan.
They will want to have the option to control their metals and where they are stored. Since customers cannot get the self-directed IRA that gives them more control over their metals, customers can compare these three top companies.
1. Goldco
Goldco is a popular gold company in Los Angeles, California, that was founded over a decade ago. Customers can order precious metals via phone, or online.
Customers can purchase all precious metal types from the company and protect their wealth for many years to come.
The business also has a buyback opportunity for previous customers and others who want to sell any gold or silver back to the company for a profit.
Compared to Merrill Edge, customers have more control over where they store their precious metals and don't have to use Merrill Edge's depository services.
Goldco lets the customers choose their custodians and doesn't require them to use a company-related precious metals specialist or custodian to manage their accounts.
Unfortunately, Goldco has a minimum investment amount of $25,000, but customers can decide how much to invest according to IRS guidelines and tax codes.
According to the company's history, they maintain a five-star rating with the Better Business Bureau, and the company also has a ton of positive reviews left by customers on Consumer Affairs. The company is also endorsed by celebrities who claim to do business with Goldco, including Chuck Norris and Sean Hannity.
Verdict
Since it is a gold and precious metals seller, Goldco can also provide sales to investors who aren't ready to start an IRA. They can purchase these metals outright and store them in their homes. Prices are based on current market conditions and the company's current supply amount.
2. American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold is another alternative to Merrill Edge that could prove advantageous. The company offers precious metals purchases, sales, and more investment opportunities.
It opened for business in 2015, and while it doesn't have the long history Merrill Edge has, the company has fewer customer complaints.
Clients can find products on the company's website or at the company's physical location in Los Angeles, California.
When reviewing the company's credentials, visitors see that the organization is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and is endorsed by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Bill O'Reilly.
The company has many positive customer reviews that make the business seem legitimate and an excellent option for investors. These reviews appear on Trustpilot and Google.
American Hartford Gold offers many special offers, especially to military service members and their families, and it's important to choose accounts wisely when investing in their futures.
Free silver offers are available to all clients, including options that allow customers to get $10,000 in free silver based on how much their purchase is. Under some circumstances, American Hartford Gold waives IRA fees for a predetermined time based on the total purchase amount.
For investors who buy $50,000 worth of precious metals, the company waives their IRA fees for the first year, but if the person invests $100,000, they can avoid IRA fees for at least three years.
The company also provides a gold kit with invaluable details about investing and setting up individual retirement accounts. First-time investors should request the kit to help them make well-informed decisions about their accounts and how much to invest in the first place.
Verdict
American Hartford Gold requires a minimum investment amount, unlike the companies mentioned above. Customers must start with at least a $10,000 investment when purchasing any precious metals for an IRA.
If they buy gold or silver outright, the minimum purchase is $5,000. Investors with less capital may not find American Hartford Gold helpful. However, anyone meeting these minimum requirements can start building their wealth anytime.
3. Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta Precious Metals provides many investment options for traders and individuals, including direct precious metals purchases and individual retirement accounts.
The company was founded in 2013 and has a physical location in Los Angeles, California. This organization also provides several individual retirement plans for saving for retirement and building wealth for families.
Comparing its short history shows that the business has a considerable following with its clients, and many customers continue to post positive reviews on Google and the Better Business Bureau.
Many customers are pleased that the company doesn't require additional fees to generate commissions for their workers or charge high management fees for accounts. Since there isn't any commission requirement, traders can get more out of their money and avoid unnecessary costs.
All clients can secure a seven-day price lock for their purchases and won't face rate increases even if the market price for their items increases during their transaction.
Augusta Precious Metals offers protection plans that help them get better rates whenever they want to buy precious metals or open new individual retirement accounts. Lifetime account management services help clients maintain secure accounts, and their heirs can get information from the company when their loved one passes.
Augusta Precious Metals offers protection plans that help them get better rates whenever they want to buy precious metals or open new individual retirement accounts. Lifetime account management services help clients maintain secure accounts, and their heirs can get information from the company when their loved one passes.
When it's time to sell their precious metals, customers can initiate a buyback opportunity through Augusta Precious Metals and get a fair market price for their supply.
Verdict
Augusta offers IRA specialists who can manage sales and liquidations for clients to ensure they get better rates and steady distributions from their retirement fund.
Many investors need fast and friendly services during retirement to let them enjoy their golden years without worrying about when the subsequent distribution will arrive.
When visiting the company's website, visitors find the current market prices for their products and compare these prices to offers they receive from Augusta Precious Metals. These rates make it easier for sellers to make sound decisions about their current supply.
The Learn Tab
Under the "Learn" tab, visitors find resources to help them when investing. They can watch webinars, visit the Morningstar classroom, or watch investor education videos. These resources are invaluable to seasoned or first-time investors who want to learn more about their options.
Merrill Edge offers many terrific products to customers who want to start an IRA; however, customers cannot begin with a self-directed gold IRA that allows them to store their metals outside a depository. Investors can start individual retirement plans or savings options through Merrill Edge, but some limitations exist.
Many investors want to maintain more control over their accounts. Still, by choosing Merrill Edge, they may be required to use the company's service providers and not a trusted custodian or depository service provider. Overall, Merrill Edge is a legitimate company, but there are a few companies that could prove more advantageous.
Remember to read out list of the Top Gold Companies to see if Merrill Edge made the cut.
>> Click HERE to read our Best Precious Metals Investment Companies list <<
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At Digital Financing Task Force, we provide research and analysis for people that want to take control of their financial future and protect the savings that they have.