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Tax-free, penalty-free. We handle the paperwork.
The 3-step process for rolling over an existing IRA or 401(k) into IRS-approved physical precious metals — coordinated by your dedicated specialist.
Three coordinated steps move your existing IRA or 401(k) into IRS-approved physical precious metals. No tax events. No early withdrawal penalties. No surprises. Your dedicated specialist handles the paperwork end to end.
01
A brief qualifying call with a Vault Metal specialist, followed by a personalized presentation and application. We'll review your existing accounts, answer your questions, and set up your new Self-Directed IRA with STRATA Trust — our IRS-approved custodian partner.
02
We coordinate directly with your current IRA custodian or 401(k) administrator to transfer funds — completely tax-free and penalty-free under IRS rules. You sign a few forms. We handle the rest.
03
Once your funds arrive, your specialist walks you through the IRS-approved coins and bars that fit your goals. We then ship them directly to Delaware Depository — Lloyd's of London insured and 100% allocated to your name.
The IRS recognizes two ways to move retirement funds between accounts. One is simple and risk-free. The other has a deadline — and getting it wrong can cost you in taxes and penalties.
How it works: Your existing custodian transfers funds directly to STRATA Trust, your new Self-Directed IRA custodian.
Tax implications: Zero. No tax event, no 1099-R, no withholding.
Time limit: None — the funds move when ready.
Frequency limit: Unlimited. You can do as many direct transfers as you want per year.
What Vault Metal handles: Everything. We coordinate the paperwork between your existing custodian and STRATA Trust on your behalf.
How it works: Funds are paid out to you personally, and you must deposit them into the new IRA within 60 days.
Tax implications: Your existing custodian must withhold 20% for federal taxes (which you'd have to make up from other funds to roll over the full balance).
Time limit: 60 days, strictly enforced. Miss the deadline and the entire amount becomes a taxable distribution.
Frequency limit: Once per 12-month period across all your IRAs combined.
When it's used: Rarely recommended. Direct transfer is simpler, faster, and avoids the withholding issue.
Vault Metal recommendation: We always coordinate direct trustee-to-trustee transfers for our clients. There's no advantage to taking personal possession of retirement funds during a rollover — it just adds risk and tax withholding. We handle the direct transfer paperwork from start to finish.
A look inside the rollover — what you’ll be doing, what we’ll be doing, and what to expect from your existing custodian, STRATA Trust, and Delaware Depository at every stage.
Day 1
Discovery Call
You speak with a senior Vault Metal specialist for a brief qualification call (15–20 minutes) to review your existing retirement accounts and confirm your goals. If a Self-Directed Physical Gold IRA fits, we schedule a deeper presentation call (30 minutes or more) to walk through your specific options. No commitment — just a conversation. If a Gold IRA isn't the right fit, we'll tell you that too.
Days 2–3
Account Setup
Vault Metal coordinates with STRATA Trust to open your new Self-Directed IRA. You sign a few documents (most can be e-signed). STRATA Trust becomes the IRS-approved custodian of your new account — this is required by IRS rules.
Days 4–11
Funds Transfer
STRATA Trust requests a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer from your existing IRA or 401(k) custodian. This is the longest phase — most of the time is spent waiting for the existing custodian to process the request. Timeline varies by custodian; some are fast, others take the full 7–10 business days. You don't have to do anything during this phase.
Days 12–21
Purchase & Storage
Once funds arrive in your new IRA, your Vault Metal specialist walks you through the IRS-approved coins and bars that fit your goals. We then purchase the metals at competitive market rates, and they're shipped directly to Delaware Depository — Lloyd's-insured and fully allocated in your name. You receive documentation confirming exactly what you own. Overall, from your discovery call to your metals being securely stored at Delaware Depository and keyed into your STRATA account, expect approximately three weeks.
Vault Metal works with Delaware Depository for IRA storage — a Class III vault with Lloyd's of London insurance, fully allocated to your name. STRATA Trust serves as your IRS-approved custodian.
The highest commercial security classification — the same standard used for institutional gold reserves.
Every ounce in storage is covered under a $1B+ Lloyd's of London insurance policy.
Your specific bars and coins are stored separately, in your name — with other clients' holdings.
Annual third-party audits verify every bar and coin in storage. Reports available on request.
The benefits, the 50-year story, tax advantages, and why investors move a portion of retirement savings to physical metals.
What accounts qualify for rollover, account-by-account rules, and the IRS rules that govern Gold IRAs.
The questions our specialists hear most often — answered simply, with no jargon and no pressure.
No pressure. No obligation. Just a senior specialist who will guide you through the advantages and steps involved in adding physical precious metals to your retirement plan.
Side-by-Side Same metals, real numbers
No Obligation No pressure to buy
See exactly how Vault Metal’s pricing stacks up against the industry — on the same coins, the same bars, side-by-side. A senior specialist will walk you through the numbers in plain English.
What your financial advisor never told you about gold, silver & your retirement. A senior specialist will follow up within one business day. No pressure, no obligation.
Senior Specialist: Direct contact
No Obligation Plain-English review
A senior Vault Metal specialist will walk you through whether physical precious metals fit your retirement plan — in plain English. No pressure. No obligation. No sales pitch.
