If you’re looking into gold IRAs, you might have heard about American Hartford Gold (AHG). They’re a big name in investing in precious metals like gold, so let’s take a closer look at what they offer.
American Hartford Gold Group, headquartered in Los Angeles, is a family-owned business specializing in gold IRAs and other precious metals. Established in 2015, it has experienced significant growth in recent years.
Investors aiming to convert substantial parts of their retirement savings into gold or other metals might find American Hartford Gold particularly appealing. This is because American Hartford Gold might waive specific fees for larger initial deposits. However, if you’re still uncertain about investing in gold, seeking further educational materials, or prefer a more streamlined digital approach, you may want to get a free info guide for gold and silver.
In this guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at American Hartford Gold, evaluating its strengths and weaknesses, core services, and business performance to ascertain if it stands among one of the best gold IRA companies on offer.
In this detailed review, we’ll cover everything important about American Hartford Gold:
- American Hartford Gold Review
- Offerings
- Customer Experience
- Pricing and Fees
- Educational Resources
- Security and Storage
- Pros and Cons
- Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation
- How to Open an Account
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Keep reading to figure out if American Hartford Gold is the right choice for your gold IRA needs.
American Hartford Gold Review
American Hartford Gold, a family-owned precious metals dealer based in Los Angeles, CA, was established in 2015. In a short span, they have risen to prominence in the industry, with over $1 billion in precious metals delivered. Their rapid growth earned them the top spot on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies in 2021.
The company offers a range of products, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, to retail investors. They provide options for purchasing through precious metals IRAs or direct non-IRA transactions shipped to your home.
A standout feature of American Hartford Gold is their “BuyBack Commitment,” which allows customers to sell metals back to the company at any time without incurring fees. We’ll explore this feature in greater detail later.
American Hartford Gold prides itself on educating investors and providing a family-like customer service experience. They have also garnered endorsements from well-known personalities like Bill O’Reilly, which further solidifies their trusted reputation.
American Hartford Gold IRA Offerings
American Hartford provides its customers with a variety of investment options, including self-directed IRAs, as well as a selection of gold and silver coins, bars, and bullion.
Self-directed IRA
A Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) provides the flexibility to invest in alternative assets like real estate, precious metals, and cryptocurrencies, unlike traditional or Roth IRAs that typically restrict investments to stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs. In an SDIRA, you’re completely in charge, which means financial institutions cannot offer investment advice, as these accounts are meant to be self-managed.
American Hartford offers a variety of products suitable for inclusion in an SDIRA. You can opt for either a traditional SDIRA, funded with pre-tax dollars, or a Roth SDIRA, funded with after-tax dollars, depending on what best suits your financial goals and needs. Both types of SDIRAs allow your investments to grow tax-free, and funds can be withdrawn penalty-free after you reach age 59 ½. Early withdrawals, however, incur a 10% penalty and the withdrawn amount is considered taxable income.
It’s important to note that storing IRA-owned precious metals at home is treated as an early withdrawal by the IRS, subject to penalties and taxes. Additionally, like traditional IRAs, you must start taking required minimum distributions from your SDIRA starting at age 72.
Gold Coins
American Hartford enables you to invest in IRA-eligible gold coins. The IRS requires that gold, including bars, must be at least 99.5% pure. Specific types of coins are approved for SDIRAs, such as Australian wildlife gold coins, Canadian Buffalo, and American Eagle coins, while others like Swiss Francs and British Sovereigns are not allowed. American Hartford’s online catalog allows you to easily filter and view IRA-approved gold coins.
Silver Coins
Similarly, American Hartford offers a selection of silver coins for your IRA, including options like Australian wildlife, Canadian Buffalo, and American Eagle coins. The website provides an easy way to filter out non-IRA-eligible coins, showcasing a total of 13 different IRA-approved silver coins.
Gold Bars
For gold bar investments, options include the one-ounce bar and the Valcambi Combibar, which resembles a breakable chocolate bar and allows you to detach one-gram pieces. This feature offers flexible resale opportunities, enabling you to liquidate smaller portions of your investment as needed, which can be especially useful for managing finances in retirement.
Silver Bars
You can invest in various sizes of silver bars, including the Valcambi Combibar, a 100-ounce bar, and a 10-ounce bar, all compliant with IRA standards that require a purity of 99.9% or higher. These options ensure that you have flexibility and compliance in your precious metals IRA investments.
Home Delivery Purchases
Beyond IRAs, American Hartford Gold also facilitates home delivery purchases starting at $5,000. This service allows you to acquire coins or bars that are delivered directly to your home. While these purchases do not offer the tax benefits of an IRA, they do provide the flexibility of owning precious metals outside retirement accounts.
Expert Consultations
The team at American Hartford Gold boasts considerable expertise in precious metals. They provide free consultations to educate you on purchasing gold and effectively diversifying your portfolio. Given the intricate tax implications associated with precious metals IRAs, such expert guidance is invaluable. American Hartford Gold ensures you feel confident and informed about your investment choices.
American Hartford Gold IRA Customer Experience
Based on customer feedback, American Hartford Gold is highly regarded for its exceptional customer service. Here, we’ve compiled some key highlights to give you a better understanding of the company’s reputation.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): American Hartford Gold holds an A+ rating with the BBB. Over the past three years, it has received 37 complaints, with 22 of these being resolved in the last 12 months.
- Trustpilot: American Hartford Gold boasts a 4.9 rating on Trustpilot. Reviews frequently praise the exceptional support and valuable insights provided by company executives, noting their efforts to go above and beyond in customer service.
- Consumer Affairs: With a total of 829 reviews, Consumer Affairs gives American Hartford Gold an overall rating of 4.7. The reviews highlight the company’s commitment to assisting individuals and families in protecting their wealth through investments in precious metals.
- Google My Business: On Google My Business, American Hartford Gold has achieved a 4.8 rating, underscoring its dedication to customer satisfaction and exceptional service.
These insights should help you make a well-informed decision if you’re considering American Hartford Gold as your preferred dealer in precious metals. The company’s strong and positive reputation is evident across multiple review platforms.
American Hartford Gold Pricing and Fees
American Hartford Gold is pretty open about how much they charge for their services. They try to keep their fees low so more people can afford to invest in gold. American Hartford does not publish the prices of its precious metal products on its website. Instead, to obtain pricing information, you must contact a service representative.
Additionally, American Hartford provides a price match guarantee. If you find a lower price for the same metals from another provider, American Hartford will refund the difference, ensuring you receive the best possible deal.
Fees are an important factor to consider when evaluating gold IRA companies. Here’s an overview of the fees charged by American Hartford Gold:
- Account Setup: No charge
- Annual Account Fee: $200 per year, which includes storage, insurance, and custodial expenses
- Depository Storage Fee: Waived for the first three years for new IRAs exceeding $50,000
- Liquidation/Transfer Fee: No charge
- Shipping: Free insured shipping
The annual fees are competitive within the industry. For larger IRA investments exceeding $50,000, American Hartford Gold offers the added benefit of three years without depository storage fees, leading to significant savings. Additionally, American Hartford Gold does not impose any fees for account liquidation when needed.
For cash purchases, American Hartford sets a minimum investment threshold of $5,000. This provides an accessible and budget-friendly option for individuals interested in starting to diversify their portfolios with precious metals.
For IRA rollovers, however, the minimum investment requirement is higher, at $10,000.
Educational Resources
American Hartford Gold gives out free info guides and articles to help you learn more about gold. They even have videos and webinars (like online classes) that explain why gold can be a good investment. It’s like having a mini-school for gold investing.
Security and Storage
When you buy gold, you need a safe place to keep it. The storage location of your metals is a crucial aspect of a gold IRA. American Hartford Gold ensures robust security for your investments with top-tier storage options.
For customers located in Western states, metals are securely kept at the Delaware Depository, whereas clients in Eastern states utilize the services of Brink’s Global Services. Both facilities are equipped with advanced security measures, including biometric thumbprint access.
You have the option to select either shared or segregated storage. Segregated storage offers an additional layer of security by keeping your specific coins and bars separate from those of other investors.
Furthermore, American Hartford Gold provides insurance coverage for your holdings to protect against damage, theft, and loss, ensuring that your retirement investments are safe and secure.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Low account minimum
- No fees for account setup or liquidations
- Some fees may be waived with larger deposits
- Has an excellent rating on Trustpilot from 1,000+ customers
- A+ rating with the BBB
- Price match guarantee
- Buyback commitment
- Relatively low minimum for gold IRAs at $10K
- Free expert precious metals specialists at your service
- Privacy – Your information is never shared with any private or public entity
- 100% FREE IRA Rollover – FREE maintenance storage & insurance for up to 3 years
- Endorsed by Bill O’Reilly, Rick Harrison and Rudy Giuliani
Cons
- No pricing listed on website
- No international shipping
- Annual fees after the initial setup
Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation
American Hartford Gold adheres strictly to industry standards and regulatory requirements, ensuring a trustworthy and secure environment for investing in precious metals. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating, reflecting its commitment to ethical business practices and customer satisfaction. Additionally, American Hartford Gold complies with all pertinent financial regulations, providing further assurance to investors about the legitimacy and reliability of their services. This adherence to high standards of compliance and accreditation helps foster investor confidence and security.
How to Open an Account with American Hartford Gold
Setting up a Gold IRA with American Hartford Gold is an easy and clear process. Here’s what you need to do:
- Speak with a Specialist: Get your free info guide on gold and silver at American Hartford Gold website. Their team will assist you in completing all necessary paperwork for your IRA rollover or transfer.
- Fund Your Account: It can take as little as three days to transfer funds from your existing account into your new Gold IRA.
- Choose Your Metals: Select from a variety of IRS-approved gold and silver coins or bars to invest in your IRA.
FAQs
Is American Hartford Gold worth it?
The company is praised for its knowledgeable staff and comprehensive service offerings, including self-directed IRAs and direct metal deliveries. With competitive pricing, a price match guarantee, and high customer satisfaction ratings on sites like BBB and Trustpilot, American Hartford Gold offers a reliable and attractive option for those looking to invest in precious metals.
How reliable is American Hartford Gold?
American Hartford Gold is regarded as a reliable option in the precious metals industry. The company boasts strong credentials, including an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a high score on Trustpilot based on numerous positive reviews. Furthermore, American Hartford Gold’s transparent pricing and dedicated customer service further underscore its reliability as a top choice for investors seeking to add precious metals to their portfolios.
How does American Hartford Gold work?
American Hartford Gold operates by assisting clients in purchasing and investing in precious metals. They offer a straightforward process for setting up self-directed IRAs, facilitating the rollover of existing retirement funds into gold and silver investments, compliant with IRS guidelines. Clients can also buy gold, silver, platinum, and palladium for personal investment or direct delivery. The company provides expert consultation, handles all the necessary paperwork, and offers secure storage solutions.
How long has American Hartford Gold been in business?
American Hartford Gold has been serving clients since its founding in 2015. In the relatively short span since its inception, the company has quickly established itself as a significant player in the precious metals industry, known for its trustworthy services and customer-centric approach.
What is the minimum investment for American Hartford Gold?
For direct purchases of precious metals, such as coins and bars for home delivery, the minimum investment is set at $5,000. Meanwhile, for those interested in opening a self-directed IRA with the company, the minimum investment requirement is slightly higher at $10,000.
In Conclusion
American Hartford Gold presents a compelling option for individuals looking to invest in precious metals. With its foundation laid in 2015, the company has rapidly grown to be recognized for its commitment to customer education, transparent business practices, and robust customer support. Boasting high ratings from reputable review platforms and offering a range of services from self-directed IRAs to direct metal purchases, American Hartford Gold meets the needs of diverse investors. Whether you’re a novice looking to diversify your portfolio or an experienced investor seeking reliable precious metal investments, American Hartford Gold offers the expertise and resources to help you achieve your investment goals.
If you’re curious about investing in gold or just want to learn more, you can check out their website and get a free info guide on gold and silver. It’s a great first step into the world of investing.
That’s our review of American Hartford Gold. Remember, investing is a way to plan for the future.
