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Last updated: July 23, 2026 · By White Metal Resources Editorial
Quick answer: The three companies most active on platinum and palladium IRA requests among United States investors are Birch Gold Group, Noble Gold Investments, and RC Bullion. Birch tends to fit rollovers above roughly $20,000. Noble is often chosen at smaller balances because it publishes a $20,000 IRA minimum. RC Bullion positions on service and product range for platinum and palladium retirement holdings.
Any company you pick must route your metal through an IRS-approved custodian and depository. Federal law requires platinum at 99.95 percent fineness and palladium at 99.95 percent fineness. Home storage of IRA metal is treated as a taxable distribution.
Short on time? The essentials
- Platinum and palladium are two of the four metals Congress named for IRAs. The others are gold and silver. Rhodium and iridium never qualify.
- Both platinum and palladium must be at least 99.95 percent pure to sit inside an IRA. That is the highest fineness of the four eligible metals.
- The Platinum American Eagle and the Palladium American Eagle qualify under the United States coin carve-out at 31 USC section 5112.
- Birch Gold Group is the most active platinum and palladium IRA dealer of the three for rollovers above $20,000, with a published presence since 2003.
- Noble Gold Investments works down to a $20,000 IRA minimum. It sells platinum and palladium coins and bars alongside its Gold IRA and Silver IRA products.
- RC Bullion offers platinum and palladium IRA products and a flat pricing framing on the metal itself.
- The 2026 IRA contribution limit is $7,500, plus a $1,100 catch-up at age 50 and over. Rollovers, not fresh contributions, fund most white metal IRAs.
- Required minimum distributions start at age 73 today for traditional accounts. Age 75 kicks in from 2033 for people born in 1960 or later. Roth IRAs have none.
- A 2020 CFTC order against JPMorgan Chase cited spoofing across gold, silver, platinum, and palladium futures. Federal regulators do police these markets.
- Vet any firm yourself: a published BBB profile, a written fee schedule, and a named IRS-approved depository before you sign a transfer form.
This is our review of the three companies most requested by savers who want a self-directed IRA holding platinum, palladium, or both. Below we cover who fits which minimum, the federal rules that decide what can sit in the account, and the fee stack that decides whether the account is worth opening at all. Every claim traces to an IRS, statute, or CFTC source cited inline.
1. Birch Gold Group: for rollovers over $20,000
Birch Gold Group is a Burbank, California precious metals dealer active since 2003. It works with a self-directed IRA custodian and IRS-approved depositories to hold physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium inside retirement accounts. Rollovers above roughly $20,000 are the sweet spot on their published guidance.
Why savers choose Birch for platinum and palladium
Birch has one of the broader platinum and palladium product ranges among the education-first precious metals dealers. That matters because IRA-eligible platinum and palladium products are a narrower field than gold or silver. The company covers all four IRA-eligible metals under a single account structure.
Storage and custodian setup
Birch routes metal to IRS-approved depositories. Domestic vault options include Delaware Depository. The custodian handles legal title and reporting for the IRA. You never take physical possession of the metal while it stays inside the account, because federal law bans home storage.
>> You can request their official precious metals IRA guide on this page <<
Reputation and what to verify yourself
Birch presents a Better Business Bureau profile, published customer testimonials, and named institutional partners. Before you sign a transfer form, check the current BBB rating and complaint volume yourself. Ask for the fee schedule in writing and the depository name in writing, not just the metal list.
2. Noble Gold Investments: down to a $20,000 minimum
Noble Gold Investments, headquartered in Pasadena, California and active since 2016, publishes a $20,000 minimum for its Gold IRA and Silver IRA products. Platinum and palladium are sold as add-on coins and bars inside a precious metals IRA, rather than as a stand-alone product line on the site.
Why savers choose Noble at smaller balances
Noble is often the pick when the rollover is under $50,000 and does not fit the higher-minimum education programs. The company positions on education, flat fee framing, and a Texas or Delaware storage choice. Storage runs through International Depository Services in Dallas or a Delaware depository.
Storage and product range
Noble Gold lists gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products on its coin and bar pages. IRA eligibility depends on the specific product meeting the fineness minimum for each metal. Ask the specialist to confirm each coin or bar meets IRA rules before it is added to the transfer.
>> You can request their official precious metals IRA guide on this page <<
Reputation and what to verify yourself
Noble displays an accreditation badge from the Better Business Bureau and a large public review count across Consumer Affairs, Google, Trustpilot, and BBB. Confirm the current BBB rating directly at bbb.org, since profile pages can update. Ask for actual dollar fee amounts, since Noble does not always publish them on public product pages.
3. RC Bullion: service and product range
RC Bullion offers a precious metals IRA covering gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. The company positions on customer service, a broad product menu, and a flat pricing framing on the metal itself. It is a smaller operation than Birch or Noble on public review counts.
Why savers consider RC Bullion
RC Bullion is often mentioned by savers who want a hands-on relationship with a single account specialist rather than a large sales floor. The company sells silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars alongside gold. IRA eligibility again depends on each specific product meeting the fineness rules.
>> You can request their official precious metals IRA guide on this page <<
Reputation and what to verify yourself
Public review coverage on RC Bullion is thinner than on Birch or Noble. Ask the specialist for the exact custodian name, the depository name, and the full fee schedule in writing. If any of those three pieces is missing, walk away.
What is a platinum or palladium IRA?
A platinum or palladium IRA is a self-directed individual retirement account that holds IRS-approved physical platinum or palladium. It follows the same federal tax rules as any IRA. The account structure is identical to a gold or silver IRA. What differs is the metal held inside.
Three parties run it. A custodian, a bank or an IRS-approved non-bank trustee, holds legal title and handles reporting. A dealer sells you the metal. An IRS-approved depository stores it. You direct the choices, but you never take personal possession of the metal while it stays inside the IRA.
Federal statute names four metals for these accounts: gold, silver, platinum, and palladium (source: 26 U.S.C. section 408(m)). Rhodium and iridium are not on the list and never qualify. The IRS Issue Snapshot on collectibles confirms the physical-possession requirement and the eligibility test (source: IRS collectibles snapshot).
Which platinum and palladium products qualify?
Both platinum and palladium must meet a 99.95 percent fineness minimum, drawn from the commodity contract-market delivery standard the statute references. That is the highest fineness of the four eligible metals. Gold sits at 99.5 percent and silver at 99.9 percent for comparison.
The Platinum American Eagle and the Palladium American Eagle qualify under the United States coin carve-out at 31 USC section 5112. That carve-out sits alongside the fineness test in the statute and covers the four American Eagle products. The Palladium American Eagle was introduced in 2017.
| Metal | Minimum fineness | Commonly eligible products |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum | 99.95 percent | Platinum American Eagle (via United States coin carve-out), Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf at 99.95 percent, approved refiner bars meeting the fineness minimum |
| Palladium | 99.95 percent | Palladium American Eagle (introduced 2017), Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf at 99.95 percent, approved refiner bars meeting the fineness minimum |
| Not eligible | n/a | Rhodium, iridium, numismatic or graded rare coins outside the 31 USC 5112 list, generic rounds below the fineness minimum, home-stored metal |
Sources: 26 U.S.C. section 408(m); IRS Issue Snapshot on collectibles; industry-reported product specifications. Checked June 2026.
Note that collectible coins and numismatic items are typically not eligible for inclusion in a precious metals IRA. The IRS Snapshot treats acquiring a collectible in an IRA as a deemed distribution at cost, taxed as ordinary income, plus the 10 percent early penalty if the owner is under age 59.5.
How do you roll into a platinum or palladium IRA?
Most savers fund a platinum or palladium IRA by rolling over money from an existing plan, not by fresh contributions. The 2026 IRA contribution limit of $7,500 is small relative to the cost of physical platinum or palladium. A direct rollover is the safer route.
- Open a self-directed IRA with a custodian. The custodian must be a bank or an IRS-approved non-bank trustee that allows platinum and palladium bullion. Research custodian fees, product ranges, and reputation before you commit.
- Initiate a direct rollover from your existing plan. Ask your 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), TSP, or IRA to transfer funds custodian to custodian. This avoids the 60-day deadline and the 20 percent mandatory withholding on plan payouts.
- Select an approved precious metals dealer. Buy IRA-eligible platinum or palladium from a firm your custodian works with. Favor common bullion over premium numismatic products, since numismatic pieces are usually not IRA-eligible.
- Store the metal at an IRS-approved depository. The depository takes physical possession, which keeps the account compliant under 26 U.S.C. section 408(m)(3). Segregated or commingled storage is a per-depository choice.
| Source | Eligible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k) from a former employer | Yes | Direct rollover avoids the 20 percent mandatory withholding on plan payouts. |
| 403(b) from a school or nonprofit | Yes | Eligible rollover distribution; same direct-route rules apply. |
| 457(b) governmental plan | Yes | Governmental 457(b) plans can roll to an IRA at a distributable event. |
| TSP for federal employees | Yes | Moves as an eligible rollover distribution to an IRA. |
| Traditional IRA | Yes | Direct transfer custodian to custodian, no tax and no withholding. |
| Roth IRA | Yes, to a Roth precious metals IRA | Roth stays Roth; do not mix Roth and pre-tax money. |
| SEP or SIMPLE IRA | Yes | SIMPLE IRA generally after the two-year participation window. |
Source: IRS Publication 590-B. Checked June 2026.
Use the calculator to check whether a specific plan can move to a self-directed precious metals IRA under current federal rules.
Can you roll your account into a precious metals IRA? Eligibility checker
Most retirement money can move into a precious metals IRA once it is an eligible rollover distribution. Pick your account and situation for a general answer. Always confirm the specifics with your plan administrator or custodian.
General guidance only, not tax or financial advice. Eligibility depends on your specific plan document and IRS rules; confirm with your plan administrator and a tax advisor. A direct trustee-to-trustee transfer avoids the 60-day rule and 20% withholding.
Picking a company that explains every fee up front is the first step. Get the free precious metals IRA company checklist.
What fees erode a platinum or palladium IRA?
A precious metals IRA carries costs that index funds do not. Knowing the stack up front is the difference between a fair account and a poor one. Fees also punish small accounts hardest.
| Fee type | Who charges it | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| One-time account setup | Custodian | Exact dollar amount, in writing, before any transfer paperwork is signed. |
| Annual administration | Custodian | Flat or tiered dollar amount, and the billing cycle (monthly or yearly). |
| Annual storage | Depository | Segregated or commingled, and the yearly dollar figure per $1,000 held. |
| Dealer spread on the metal | Dealer | The gap between buy price and same-day sell price, quoted as a percent. |
| Wire and shipping fees | Custodian and dealer | Ask for the per-transaction dollar amount, including for a partial in-kind distribution. |
Source: general precious metals IRA industry practice; verify specific dollar amounts on each firm's written fee schedule. Checked June 2026.
The dealer spread is usually the largest lifetime cost. It is also the one least often disclosed clearly. On platinum and palladium, product menus are narrower, so the spread can be wider than on common gold bullion.
The calculator below estimates how annual fees compound against an account over time. Enter a balance and a fee rate to see the drag.
Precious metals IRA fee-drag calculator
Precious metals IRAs charge mostly flat dollar fees (setup, annual custodian, storage). Flat fees take a much bigger bite out of a small account than a large one. Enter your numbers to see the drag.
Estimate only. Fee amounts vary by provider and are often not published; enter figures you confirm in writing. This tool ignores metal price changes and the dealer spread, which also affect returns. Not financial advice.
Picking a company that explains every fee up front is the first step. Get the free precious metals IRA company checklist.
Picture a saver who rolls $50,000 into a platinum IRA. Suppose the all-in annual cost runs $300 in this illustration, covering custodian and storage. That $300 is 0.6 percent of a $50,000 account, but it would be 3.0 percent on a $10,000 account. Here is why account size matters.
- On $50,000: $300 of annual fees is $300 divided by $50,000, which equals 0.6 percent per year.
- On $10,000: the same $300 is $300 divided by $10,000, which equals 3.0 percent per year, five times the drag.
- Separately, a dealer spread of 5 percent on the platinum you buy is a one-time cost of $2,500 on a $50,000 purchase, paid up front and again, in part, when you sell.
The figures above are illustrative, not quotes from any company. They show the structural point: fixed annual fees and the dealer spread both punish small accounts hardest. Always ask for the actual fee schedule and the spread in writing before you commit. This is an illustration, not financial advice; consult a licensed advisor for your situation.
2026 tax rules that govern this account
The same federal rules that govern any IRA govern a platinum or palladium IRA. Four points matter most for a 2026 rollover.
Contribution limits
For tax year 2026, the IRA annual contribution limit is $7,500, plus a $1,100 catch-up for savers age 50 and over (source: IRS, 2026 retirement plan and IRA limits (Notice 2025-67)). This is why rollovers, not fresh contributions, fund most white metal IRAs.
Required minimum distributions
Traditional platinum and palladium IRAs follow required minimum distribution rules. The current start age is 73 for those who reach 72 after December 31, 2022 (source: IRS RMD FAQs). The start age rises to 75 beginning in 2033 for people born in 1960 or later. Roth IRAs carry no required minimum distribution during the owner's lifetime.
Precious metals IRA required minimum distribution (RMD) estimator
Once required minimum distributions begin (age 73 now, 75 starting 2033), you divide last year-end balance by an IRS life-expectancy factor. Most states tax the result as ordinary income, on top of federal tax. You can take a precious metals IRA RMD in cash or in metal.
Estimate only, not tax advice. Uses the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (most owners). A spouse more than 10 years younger and sole beneficiary uses a different table. Roth IRAs have no lifetime RMD. Sources: IRS Publication 590-B (Table III); IRS RMD FAQs. Consult your tax advisor.
Picking a company that explains every fee up front is the first step. Get the free precious metals IRA company checklist.
Early-withdrawal penalty
A distribution before age 59.5 with no qualifying exception carries a 10 percent federal additional tax on top of ordinary income tax (source: IRS Publication 590-B). Pub 590-B lists the current exceptions, including death, permanent disability, and certain higher-education expenses.
The calculator below estimates the combined federal tax hit on an early withdrawal, before any state tax.
Precious metals IRA early-withdrawal penalty estimator
Take money out of a precious metals IRA before age 59 and a half and the IRS adds a 10% federal additional tax. Many states add their own additional tax on top, so check your state. The federal penalty is estimated below.
Estimate only, not tax advice. The 10% federal additional tax applies to early distributions before age 59 and a half; exceptions exist. Your state may add its own additional tax, and ordinary income tax applies separately. Source: IRS Publication 590-B. Consult your tax advisor.
Picking a company that explains every fee up front is the first step. Get the free precious metals IRA company checklist.
Custodian and depository, no home storage
Federal law requires an IRS-approved trustee to hold the metal, and the statute itself demands physical possession by that trustee (source: IRS snapshot). Keeping IRA platinum or palladium at home is treated as a distribution, with tax and a possible penalty. The U.S. Tax Court applied this rule against the taxpayers in McNulty v. Commissioner in 2021.
Why platinum and palladium behave differently from gold
Platinum and palladium are platinum-group metals. Both have heavy industrial use, notably in automotive catalytic converters, electronics, and chemical catalysis. Platinum also has jewelry and medical uses. This is a long-documented demand structure.
Because a large share of demand is industrial rather than monetary, platinum and palladium prices respond to manufacturing cycles as well as investment flows. Describe this as a structural characteristic. No one can predict where prices will go, and past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Both metals are also scarce above ground relative to gold. Their production is concentrated in a few countries, which is a separate structural feature to weigh. See platinum IRAs explained and palladium IRAs explained for the details on each.
The case for adding platinum or palladium to an IRA
Investors weigh a small allocation to platinum or palladium for three reasons. Each is a structural argument, not a return promise.
Diversification against paper assets
Physical platinum or palladium sits outside the equity and bond markets that dominate a typical retirement account. Precious metals have historically shown a low correlation with broad stock and bond indices over long periods. This is a documented historical pattern, not a forecast for any future period.
Tax-deferred or tax-free growth
Inside a traditional IRA, gains on platinum or palladium are tax-deferred until distribution. Inside a Roth IRA, qualified distributions are tax-free. The tax wrapper is identical to any other IRA. The specific tax result depends on your marginal rate at contribution and at distribution.
Historical role during currency devaluation
Precious metals have historically been used as a store of value during periods of currency devaluation. Nothing about that is a guarantee. It is a long-observed structural role, and it is one reason some savers hold a portion of retirement in physical metal.
Risks and how these markets are policed
The account structure is legitimate and IRS-sanctioned. The risk is rarely the account itself. It is volatility, cost, and the sales pitch attached to the metal.
Price volatility
Precious metals, and especially white metals with industrial demand, have historically shown larger short-term price swings than broad stock or bond indices. Platinum and palladium prices respond to auto-sector demand cycles. This is a documented historical characteristic, not a prediction of future returns.
Fees and dealer markups
Setup, annual custodian, storage, and the dealer spread are largely fixed costs. On a small account they eat a large share of the balance. Platinum and palladium product menus are narrower than gold, so the spread can be wider on any given purchase.
Federal enforcement is active
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversees metals futures and brings enforcement actions against manipulation and fraud. In a 2020 order, the CFTC required JPMorgan Chase and subsidiaries to pay a total of $920.2 million over spoofing. The regulator said that conduct spanned gold, silver, platinum, and palladium futures, among others (source: CFTC release 8260-20).
Counter-party and cyber risk
Any custodian, depository, or dealer could fail. Verify insurance coverage on stored metal, and confirm that the depository holds specific insurance on precious metals. On the cyber side, use strong passwords and two-factor authentication on any online IRA portal. See precious metals IRA scams to avoid for red flags.
Numismatic and premium-coin upsells
The pattern to watch is a pitch that pushes high-markup premium or rare coins over common bullion. Coin upsells are where buyers lose the most. Numismatic and graded coins outside the 31 USC 5112 carve-out are also not IRA-eligible. See the numismatic coin upsell.
How do you choose a trustworthy company?
The company you pick shapes your fees, your metal choices, and your risk of an upsell. A short checklist filters most of the field.
Verify the basics yourself, not from the sales call. Check the firm's Better Business Bureau rating and accreditation date. Ask for fees in writing before you commit. Confirm the custodian is named and the depository is named.
What you will need to verify: a published BBB profile, a written fee schedule, a named IRS-approved depository, and a salesperson who answers "who is this not for" honestly. A firm that dodges any of those is telling you something.
When a platinum or palladium IRA is a bad idea
A balanced look has to name when this account works against you. For several savers, a platinum or palladium IRA is the wrong move, and saying so plainly is part of an honest guide.
It is usually a bad idea in these situations:
- A small balance against the fee drag. Setup, annual custodian, storage, and the dealer spread are largely fixed. On a small account those costs eat a large share of the balance. A modest holding can struggle to ever come out ahead.
- You may need the money within a few years. Platinum and palladium are volatile short-term, and selling means crossing the dealer spread again. Before age 59.5 you also owe the 10 percent federal additional tax on top of ordinary income tax.
- You have no other retirement savings yet. Concentrating your only retirement money in a single asset class leaves no buffer. A broad base usually comes first, with metal as a portion rather than the whole.
- You are chasing a guaranteed return. No one can predict where platinum or palladium prices will go. A pitch that promises guaranteed gains is a warning sign, not an opportunity.
- You are not a United States resident. The federal tax wrapper and the depository network described here apply to United States retirement accounts.
If one of these describes you, slowing down is the sensible call. The fixed annual costs and the dealer spread both punish a short or small position more than most savers expect.
Platinum and palladium IRA questions, answered
What fineness must platinum and palladium meet for an IRA?
Both must be at least 99.95 percent pure. That is the highest fineness of the four metals Congress named in 26 U.S.C. section 408(m). Gold sits at 99.5 percent and silver at 99.9 percent for the same statutory test. The Platinum American Eagle and Palladium American Eagle qualify through the United States coin carve-out at 31 USC section 5112.
Can I hold platinum and palladium in the same IRA as gold or silver?
Yes. A self-directed precious metals IRA can hold any combination of the four IRA-eligible metals, provided each specific product meets its fineness minimum. Silver sits at 99.9 percent, gold at 99.5 percent, and platinum and palladium at 99.95 percent. The account structure is identical.
Can I store my platinum or palladium IRA metal at home?
No. Federal law requires an IRS-approved trustee to hold physical possession of the metal. Keeping IRA platinum or palladium at home is treated as a distribution, which is taxable and may carry a penalty if you are under 59.5. A home storage IRA is not a recognized IRS structure.
What is the 2026 contribution limit if I open one?
The 2026 IRA contribution limit is $7,500, plus a $1,100 catch-up for savers age 50 and over. Because platinum and palladium cost far more per ounce than silver, most savers fund a new account through a rollover from a 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), TSP, or existing IRA rather than fresh contributions.
Are palladium American Eagles IRA-eligible?
Yes. The Palladium American Eagle was introduced in 2017 and qualifies through the United States coin carve-out at 31 USC section 5112. That carve-out sits alongside the fineness test in 26 U.S.C. section 408(m), and it covers the four American Eagle products, including the Platinum American Eagle.
Which companies review well for platinum and palladium IRAs?
Birch Gold Group, Noble Gold Investments, and RC Bullion are the three companies most active on platinum and palladium IRA requests. Birch tends to fit rollovers over $20,000. Noble publishes a $20,000 minimum. RC Bullion positions on service and product range. Verify each firm's current BBB rating and written fee schedule yourself.
Do palladium IRAs have required minimum distributions?
Traditional palladium IRAs do. Required minimum distributions start at age 73 today, rising to 75 in 2033 for people born in 1960 or later. Roth IRAs have no required minimum distribution during the owner's lifetime. See the IRS RMD FAQs for how the rules apply to your birth year cohort.
What is the largest hidden cost on a platinum or palladium IRA?
Usually the dealer spread on the metal itself. It is the gap between what you pay and what the metal would sell for the same day. On platinum and palladium, where product menus are narrower than gold, the spread can be wider. Ask for it in writing as a percentage, not just a total price.
Sources
- Cornell Legal Information Institute, 26 U.S.C. section 408 (statutory fineness test and metal list). Checked June 2026.
- IRS, Investments in collectibles in individually-directed qualified plan accounts (Issue Snapshot). Checked June 2026.
- IRS Newsroom, 2026 retirement plan and IRA limits (Notice 2025-67). Checked June 2026.
- IRS, Required Minimum Distributions FAQs. Checked June 2026.
- IRS, Publication 590-B, Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements. Checked June 2026.
- U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Release 8260-20 (JPMorgan spoofing order). Checked June 2026.
- London Bullion Market Association, Good Delivery standard. Checked June 2026.
