With global financial markets experiencing frequent upheavals, investing prudently is more important now than ever before. Unfortunately, most of the traditional investment options such as mutual funds, stocks, and bonds depend heavily on the value of the dollar.

Fortunately, however, investment in precious metals gives you the advantage of not only diversifying your wealth, but also protecting you from volatility and other types of financial mishaps. The reason for this is historically the financial worth of precious metals have risen when other financial instruments have experienced a steep fall in value.

What is even better, companies dealing in precious metals allow their customers the option of storing their assets in third-party storage facilities or personally – and thus outside the purview of banking or other financial systems. This not only makes it easier to access those assets, but also improves their security. Moreover, precious metal assets stored in such ways restrict government control over them. Hence, it would make financial sense to consolidate your retirement portfolio right away with precious metal investment.

Choosing the precious metal company that works best for you is a tough proposition. After all, the security of your hard-earned wealth is at stake, and any mistake could cause irreparable damage to your financial standing. That is precisely the reason why we have decided to assist you by presenting an in-depth comparison of two of the most reputable precious metal companies in the market – Augusta Precious Metals and Birch Gold Group.

Overview: Augusta Precious Metals

Founded in 2012, Augusta Precious Metals has been providing its customers multiple legit means to spread out their retirement wealth by making investments in precious metals. Augusta Precious Metals, which is a family-owned and service-oriented business, has been operating in the market for about a decade with distinction - offering a host of world-class services in the area of precious metals. 

If you choose to associate with Augusta Precious Metals, you will receive an investment package that includes uninterrupted customer support, a marketplace for precious metals in the non-IRA category, as well as gold and silver precious metal IRA services.

If you have decided on partnering with a reputable and experienced precious metals company for taking your wealth to the next level in order to live a financially secure life of retirement in future, then you can consider Augusta Precious Metals. In addition to allowing its customers to sell silver and gold outside the framework of IRA, the company offers specialized services in self-directed IRA.

Overview: Birch Gold Group

Birch Gold Group, which is amongst the top businesses that deal in precious metals, was founded in 2003. Based in Burbank, California, the company has a workforce that consists of a dynamic team of managers, brokers, and financial advisors – all highly experienced.

They are dedicated to providing the client with top-notch solutions for non-conventional investments. Birch Gold Group has won acclaim for its full-scope services and special offerings in the area of tangible precious metals. 

As a prestigious and reliable precious metals dealer, the company helps investors to not only diversify, but also grow and secure their wealth portfolios and retirement assets through the purchase and sale of bullion, retirement planning, and secure storage of precious metal assets.

Comparison: Augusta Precious Metals Vs Birch Gold Group

Header

Augusta Precious Metals

Birch Gold Group

Year of Establishment

2012

2003

Minimum Investment Requirement

$50,000

$10,000

Average Rating On An Overall Basis

4.6 out of 5

4.9 out of 5

Precious Metals Offered

Silver and gold

Silver, gold, palladium, and platinum

If Support Is Offered For Existing IRA Rollover

Yes

Yes

Rollover Opportunities: Augusta Precious Metals

If you already have an existing retirement account, like a 401(k) account or a Traditional IRA, the company extends you the facility of rolling over the funds in that account to the Gold IRA that you have newly opened. You have the option of transferring either part or all of the funds in your earlier account. 

In either case, this rollover allows you to receive tax benefits in much the same way as you would in case of a conventional IRA. These benefits are on top of other benefits manifesting from precious metals investments. Moreover, this rollover is a sure shot way of insulating your retirement wealth from market uncertainties.

Rollover Opportunities: Birch Gold Group

For customers already holding an existing retirement account, Birch Gold Group offers the choice of partially or fully rolling over the funds into the Gold IRA that the company has opened for them.

This provides access to the advantages available to an IRA by utilizing an earlier investment. However, this rollover facility is only available if you purchase tangible assets by way of precious metals (gold) for backing up your investment. 

Fees: Augusta Precious Metals

Augusta Precious Metals is different from most other precious metal IRA providers due to the transparency and exclusivity of its offerings in the domain of precious metal investment.

No hidden fees of any kind exist. Furthermore, the company’s pricing for the products and services it offers in connection with investments in precious metals is highly competitive.

The following gives you a breakdown of the costs associated with precious metal investment with Augusta Precious Metals:
  • A $50 fee, payable only once, for setting up your account.
  • A custodian maintenance fee of $80 is charged annually.
  • Depository storage attracts a yearly fee of $100.
  • $50,000 is the minimum investment for non-IRA purchase of precious metals.
  • You need to invest a minimum of $100,000 in the account in order to open a silver or gold IRA.
  • The fluctuating costs for gold and silver bullion and coins are the result of market rates and spot prices. Bullion coins attract a markup cost of 5%.
  • There is no fee for shipping and transit.

Fees: Birch Gold Group

The company asks you to open your precious metals IRA with a minimum investment of $10,000. Apart from that, you are required to pay the following fees:
  • A $50 fee to set up your account, payable only once.
  • A $30 fee, payable one-time, for wire transfer.
  • Annual fee of $100 for insurance and storage.
  • Management fees, payable annually, amounting to $80.

Augusta Precious Metals: Pros and Cons

PROS
  • Outstanding customer service with lifetime support.
  • Simple and straightforward account setup.
  • Highly competitive pricing for all products.
  • Excellent client testimonials and reviews.
CONS
  • Minimum investment of $50,000.
  • Processing time of up to 2 weeks.

Birch Gold Group: Pros and Cons

PROS
  • Customer ratings & reviews reveal a superlative level of customer service.
  • Shares transparent market data and information to educate clients.
  • No fee for the first year on investments exceeding $50,000.
  • Endorsed by investment professionals as well as consumer organizations.
  • Experience of almost two decades in IRA services.
  • A+ rating achieved from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
CONS
  • Not much information about IRA setup or annual charges on the website.
  • Costs are involved in the account setup.

Final Conclusion: Deciding Whether Augusta Precious Metals Or Birch Gold Group Is Better For Investment In Gold IRA

If you are interested to expand your precious metal investments to platinum and palladium, instead of being restricted to only gold and silver, then Birch Gold Group should be your company of choice. Augusta Precious Metals only allows you to invest in gold and silver assets.

Birch Gold Group has been around for much more than a decade, and almost two decades. In contrast, Augusta Precious Metals is relatively new to the market - operating for a little less than a decade. This means Birch Gold Group can lay claim to having much more experience in dealing with precious metal investments. Although, both these companies are renowned and dependable service providers, Birch Gold Group can provide you with those services that are exclusive to companies that have been operating for much longer.

The minimum investment requirement for Augusta Precious Metals is much higher as compared to Birch Gold Group. This means that more modest investors and those new to the market would much rather choose Birch Gold Group as their precious metal investment service provider. However, those having deeper pockets and quite experienced in dealing with precious metals might prefer Augusta Precious Metals instead.

The point is that you can't lose with either company. However, it is only a matter of choosing the service provider that best matches your individual predisposition and financial goals.

Related: Augusta Precious Metals vs Goldco

About the Author James Holland

James is a certified financial planner who helps retirees and pre-retirees make the most of their money. He has more than 10 years of experience in the field, and he knows how to help people plan for retirement on a budget. James also offers advice on estate planning, long-term care, and other aspects of retirement planning.

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