Investing a portion of your IRA into physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium can be a savvy move to diversify your retirement portfolio.

Precious metals have a long history of providing a hedge against inflation and financial market volatility.

But properly securing your precious metals IRA assets is, of course, necessary.

Choosing the right depository to store your gold and silver is one of the key decisions you’ll make when investing in precious metals IRAs.

After researching the top options, one private vault stands out as the gold standard for precious metals IRAs: the Delaware Depository.

In this comprehensive review, I’ll explore why the Delaware Depository is regarded as the premier choice by precious metals IRA experts for storing your gold and silver.

An Introduction to Precious Metals IRAs

A precious metals IRA functions similarly to a conventional IRA, except some or all of your account is invested into physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bullion rather than paper assets like stocks and bonds.

Because IRAs have tax advantages, there are rules about taking possession of the assets. The physical precious metals for a self-directed IRA must be stored in a secure, IRS-approved depository.

Attempting to store precious metals IRA assets at home is illegal and can trigger significant taxes and penalties.

A custodian handles all transactions, and the metals are shipped directly between the depository and dealer, never passing through your hands. This avoids disqualifying the assets from your IRA.

Once you reach age 59 1⁄2 you can begin taking IRA distributions in cash or by having metals shipped directly to you from the depository. Required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin at age 72.

So, while accessing your metals may have some restrictions with an IRA, the tax benefits often make it worthwhile.

Why Choose Delaware Depository?

With 20+ years of experience, Delaware Depository has earned a reputation as a premier choice for securing precious metals IRAs.

Here are some of the reasons why:

State-of-the-Art Security

Safety and protecting your assets are top priorities. Delaware Depository uses extensive physical security features and protocols to keep your metals secure:

• UL Class III vault doors offering 2+ hours of protection
• 24/7 monitoring with motion sensors and vibration detection
• Restricted access entryways and staging areas
• Surveillance cameras throughout the facility
• Metal detectors screening all personnel

Multiple Storage Locations

Along with the flagship vault in Delaware, a new facility in Nevada has been opened in 2022 to provide more options. Internationally, storage in Canada and Switzerland is also available.

Industry Leading Precious Metals Expertise

With over 200 years of combined experience, the management team knows how to store precious metals inside and out.

Rigorous internal controls guard against internal theft, and state-of-the-art assay equipment can detect counterfeit bullion.

Responsive, Friendly Service

Reviews praise the customer service for being responsive, friendly, and accountable. You deal directly with depository staff, not a call center, and your information remains confidential.

Ideal Location

Strategically positioned outside major cities, risks from natural disasters, terrorism, and geopolitical threats are reduced. There are also tax advantages to Delaware.

$1 Billion Insurance Policy

Lloyd’s of London provides an all-risk policy to cover theft and damage. Cyber attacks and acts of war are excluded.

Quicker Processing Times

Most orders ship within a day, providing fast access to your metals compared to other facilities.

Compliance and Reporting

Precious metals held in IRAs are segregated from commercial accounts. Experts handle all IRS reporting requirements.

Clientele Includes Major Banks, Countries

If it’s good enough to store metals for major countries, banks, and exchanges, it’s probably good enough for your IRA.

Low Storage Fees

Storage fees are competitive, especially for precious metals IRA accounts. The lack of sales tax in Delaware helps keep costs down.

High Marks From Reviewers

Trusted third-party rating sites consistently award 5 stars. The Better Business Bureau gives an A+ rating. Any complaints get addressed professionally.

Recommended By Major Precious Metals IRA Companies

Top precious metals IRA companies, such as Goldco, Augusta Precious Metals, and Birch Gold Group, recommend the Delaware Depository for IRA storage.

How Delaware Depository Secures Your Precious Metals?

Maintaining the integrity of your gold and silver bullion is a top priority at Delaware Depository. They utilize a “defense-in-depth” approach with multiple layers of security protocols and controls:

1. Fortified Exterior Structure

The building itself is hardened against external threats with thick concrete walls, bollards, security fencing, anti-ram barriers, bullet-resistant glass, and electronic access screening.

Delaware Depository owns the building outright and has no external debt or liens.

2. Vault Construction

The UL-rated Class III vaults are built to withstand assault. The vault door alone weighs over 10,000 pounds and is designed to resist drilling, cutting, and burning torches for over 2 hours.

Some vaults feature dual validation entry, requiring two combinations to open. Time delay locks also protect against brute-force attacks.

3. Restricted Access Control

Stringent protocols restrict access to authorized personnel only. Entryways feature multi-factor authentication with card readers, PIN pads, biometric scanners, man-traps, and interlocking door staging.

This “airlock” system means the exterior door must close before the interior vault door opens.

4. 24/7 Electronic Monitoring

A state-of-the-art sensor system provides 24/7 monitoring. It includes silent alarms, motion detectors, vibration sensors, and CCTV cameras with digital video recording.

Any attempt to illegally access or remove assets would immediately be detected.

5. Onsite Security Personnel

In addition to electronic systems, trained security personnel staff the facility 24/7, year-round. They monitor all activity in real time and can dispatch an armed response team if needed.

6. Incoming/Outgoing Screening

X-ray machines, metal detectors, and other technology screen all goods and personnel entering or exiting to prevent theft. Profiles detect any precious metals concealed on someone’s person when they enter and exit.

7. Assay Verification

Once inside the vault, assets get thoroughly inspected and verified. Trained experts examine each product and verify purity using assay equipment like scales, X-ray fluorescence scanners, and ultrasonic testers. This catches any counterfeits.

8. Dual Control Protocols

Multiple specialist teams handle the products to prevent any one person from having sole control. Each team inspects and verifies the assets before handing off to the next team. This prevents internal fraud or loss.

9. Off-Balance Sheet Storage

Unlike banks, Delaware Depository does not list customer assets on its balance sheet. They hold metals off-sheet to remain fully allocated to the owner. Customers have a direct title to their specific products.

10. Independent 3rd Party Audits

In addition to rigorous internal controls and checks, external CPAs conduct surprise audits using SSAE 18 SOC 1 protocols to verify assets match records. This ensures accuracy and financial controls.

11. Insurance from Lloyd’s of London

On top of all the physical and procedural safeguards, an “all-risk” policy from Lloyd’s insures assets up to $1 billion in value against damage, destruction, or theft.

Cyber attacks and war are excluded. Each carrier shipment also includes $100,000 of coverage.

With all of these layers of security, customers can have confidence their retirement assets stay protected.

Storing Precious Metals IRA with Delaware Depository

While some investors may choose to store precious metals at home for their non-IRA holdings, IRAs have special custody requirements.

All IRS reporting, transactions, and shipping must go through an approved custodian and storage at an IRS-compliant depository like Delaware.

1. Choosing a Precious Metals IRA Company

Work with a reputable precious metals IRA company that partners with Delaware Depository. The top recommendations are:

• Augusta Precious Metals (for accounts over $50k)
• Goldco (for accounts over $25k)
• Birch Gold Group (for accounts over $10k)

These companies have streamlined processes for opening a self-directed IRA, funding it, and buying/selling approved precious metals that can be stored at the Delaware Depository.

2. Funding Your Account

You can transfer or roll over funds from an existing IRA or qualified retirement plan like a 401k. Some of the logistics will depend on your precious metals IRA company but expect it to take about 2–4 weeks.

3. Placing Your Order

Your IRA representative will walk you through the process of selecting approved coins or bars from the dealer inventories that ship directly to the Delaware Depository for compliant IRA storage.

4. Delivery and Verification

The depository will inspect and verify your metals when they arrive, typically in 1 business day.

You’ll receive account statements reflecting your holdings. At any point, you can liquidate or take distributions per IRA rules.

5. Accessing Your Metals

When you want to sell or take distributions from your IRA, the metals will ship directly from the depository to the dealer or your address once your custodian authorizes it.

The process ensures full compliance when investing your IRA in physical precious metals stored at the Delaware Depository.

Alternatives to Delaware Depository

Very few depositories meet the IRS requirements for precious metals IRAs. And even fewer match Delaware Depository’s reputation for security and service. But a couple of alternatives to consider include:

Brinks Global Services

Also known as Brinks Private Vault, it operates a sizable network of vaults internationally and in the U.S. They provide custody and logistics services for precious metals.

Brinks has a long history in secure transport of valuables. However, their expertise and processes have focused more on cash handling than metals.

International Depository Services Group (IDS)

IDS operates several precious metals depositories domestically and internationally. Their Dallas facility sees a lot of precious metals IRA business.

Experts give them high marks for technology, security procedures, and service. One downside is higher storage fees compared to the Delaware Depository.

The Bottom Line — Why Delaware Depository Stands Out

When it comes to securing physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in your self-directed IRA, you want the absolute best in protecting your assets.

While other credible options exist, the Delaware Depository is regarded by many as the gold standard.

Some key advantages that set them apart include:

• State-of-the-art security and controls developed specifically for precious metals custody
• Direct, personalized service versus large custodians that outsource support
• Stronger geographic advantages being positioned outside major city threats
• Lower fees thanks to no sales tax and operating efficiencies
• Faster processing so you have quick access to liquidity
• Specialized expertise in precious metals instead of just cash assets like Brinks
• The gold standard that major IRA companies rely on to protect client assets

By partnering with a reputable precious metals IRA company that works with the Delaware Depository, you can be confident that your retirement assets will stay protected.

Given Delaware Depository’s stellar reputation and expertise in precious metals IRAs, it’s no wonder why many investors choose to store their gold and silver there.