Protect Your IRA
with
Gold and Silver Precious Metals
Gold/Silver are up 600%
Since 2000
Cornerstone Asset Metals understands the challenges investors face in funding retirement savings in today’s unstable market. That’s why Cornerstone Asset Metals offers the gold and precious metals IRA, backed by physical assets, not paper investments.
With fluctuating paper-dominated assets funding the majority of individual retirement accounts and the potential shortfall in Social Security, a well-diversified retirement plan should include precious metals, one of the few assets that have demonstrated the ability to retain value when other investments may fall short. The positive performance of precious metals will help your portfolio hold its value and will provide support to you when your time comes to retire.
Most individuals saving for retirement most likely qualify for a precious metals IRA, but are unaware this choice even exists. Since 1986, the IRS has allowed individuals to hold precious metals with their IRA, offering a unique hedge against stock market volatility and decline. Common types of retirement plans that may qualify include Traditional and Roth IRA’s, SEP IRA’s, 401 (k)s and 403 (b)s.
Precious metals offer a unique hedge against stock market volatility.
You can do it in 3 easy steps:
1. Add gold to your current IRA or let us guide you in creating a new one
You will need to have the right kind of IRA, since the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has designated certain types of IRAs as appropriate for holding gold bullion and other precious metals. These ‘self-directed’ IRAs allow you to have more control over your investment choices and are easy to establish and administer.
2. Instruct your IRA to buy gold bullion or other precious metals from Cornerstone Asset Metals
Once you have selected an existing IRA or established a new one in which you would like gold bullion to be deposited, your Cornerstone Asset Metals Account Executive will help you determine what to buy and how much. You will then complete a form authorizing your IRA custodian to buy the gold bullion or other precious metals to deposit in your account.
3. Deposit your gold bullion with an IRS-approved custodian
The IRS requires that gold bullion owned by an IRA or SEP be held by a custodian bank. Cornerstone Asset Metals frequently works with the GoldStar Trust Company, which can provide the custodial services needed to establish your new IRA and manage the resources within it. Cornerstone Asset Metals can help you establish this relationship for you or will assist you in working with any other IRS approved custodial institution.
Three simple steps and you are on your way to enjoying the tax benefits of an IRA, combined with the security of owning gold bullion.
Cornerstone Asset Metals makes it easy for you. Call today at 888-747-3309 to get started!
Gold/Silver IRA: Step 1
Add gold bullion to your current IRA or let us guide you in creating a new one
If you plan to invest in gold and other precious metals, the first thing you must do is establish a Self-Directed IRA, if you do not already have one. This is an IRA for which you make all the investment decisions. You choose where your IRA funds will be invested, instead of relying on others to do it for you. You can also make the determination on the type of Self-Directed IRA you would like; the new account can be a Traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, or one of several other types.
If you have an existing IRA, you can transfer it, roll it over or just keep it where it is. If you do have an existing IRA, consult with your IRA custodian first to ensure you can add gold bullion to your current IRA. Not every plan has this capability. If your plan does not allow you to contribute gold bullion to your current IRA, you’ll have to open a new account with an authorized custodian.
Cornerstone Asset Metals makes it easy to add gold to your IRA. Call today at 888-747-3309 to get started!
Download the following forms:
(Establish Traditional IRA) Traditional IRA Investment Kit
(Establish Roth IRA) Roth IRA Investment Kit
Go to the forms overview page to find more documents
Complete and sign the application.
Be sure to enter Cornerstone Asset Metals as your dealer on the form. If known, include your Cornerstone Asset Metals Account Executive’s name.
> Fax or mail the appropriate IRA forms:
All forms and IRA contributions should be sent directly to GoldStar Trust Company.
To fax, call (806) 982-6105.
To send by mail:
GoldStar Trust Company
P.O. Box 719
Canyon, Texas 79015-0719
For overnight deliveries:
GoldStar Trust Company
1401 4th Avenue
Canyon, Texas 79015-3721
(800) 486-6888
> Fund your IRA with transfer, rollover or regular contributions
You fund your IRA primarily with cash, but it can also be funded through contributions, rollover contributions, IRA to IRA transfers, direct rollovers from a Qualified Plan (401k Profit Sharing, Pension Plan, 403b, Thrift Savings Plan, etc.), Roth conversions and more.
> Wait for funds to arrive
When the funds arrive, GoldStar Trust will send a confirmation statement to you. If GoldStar has your Investment Direction, GoldStar will notify your dealer by fax so that you may be contacted to finalize your investment directions.
Once your account is open and funded, your custodian (GoldStar Trust or other custodian) will alert Cornerstone Asset Metals so that a representative can advise you on the gold bullion or other precious metals for your account. Then a Cornerstone Asset Metals representative can acquire the precious metals for your IRA account. Now you are ready to go on to Step 2.
Gold/Silver IRA: Step 2
Instruct your IRA to buy gold bullion or other precious metals from Cornerstone Asset Metals
> Consult with Cornerstone Asset Metals for investment recommendations
Your CAM account executive will make recommendations to help you decide what percentage of your IRA investment portfolio should be invested in gold bullion and/or precious metals. Your account executive will also help you choose which precious metals would be best for your portfolio diversification and security. The decisions you make together on investment choices will be captured in a form called the Investment Direction Form.
> Complete and sign the Investment Direction Form
Complete the Investment Direction Form after consulting with your CAM account executive. If you have chosen GoldStar Trust as your IRA custodian, the Investment Direction Form will be sent to GoldStar Trust and then used to purchase the precious metals you have selected for your IRA.
> Provide final investment directions
If you have initialed the authorizing box on your Investment Direction, GoldStar will accept final investment directions through your dealer. Otherwise, you must complete the details on the Investment Direction Form and deliver it to GoldStar.
> Fax or mail the Investment Direction Form to GoldStar Trust Company
The completed form should be sent directly to GoldStar Trust.
To fax, call (806) 982-6105.
To send by mail:
GoldStar Trust Company
P.O. Box 715
Canyon, Texas 79015-0719
For overnight deliveries:
GoldStar Trust Company
1401 4th Avenue
Canyon, Texas 79015-3721
(806) 486-6888
After you have sent your Investment Direction Form to GoldStar Trust, you are ready to go on to Step 3.
Cornerstone Asset Metals makes it easy to add gold to your IRA. Call today at 888-747-3309 to get started!
Gold/Silver IRA: Step 3
Deposit your gold bullion with an IRS-approved custodian
> Authorize your gold bullion/precious metals purchase
Using your approved Investment Direction Form, GoldStar Trust will purchase your gold bullion precious metals for your IRA.
> Receive your purchase confirmation
Once your gold bullion/precious metals have been purchased from Cornerstone Asset Metals by GoldStar Trust, you will receive a confirmation showing which items have been purchased and are now in your IRA. GoldStar Trust will send quarterly reports starting after the initial purchase.
> Congratulate yourself for being a savvy investor
You have made a sound financial decision, which is quite an accomplishment in these turbulent economic times. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you have diversified and no longer have “all your eggs in one basket.”
Get started today with a little help from Cornerstone Asset Metals. Call 888-747-3309 now to talk with IRA specialists who can help you through the process of investing in a gold bullion-backed IRA.
Gold/Silver IRA: Questions & Answers
Answers to questions about IRA investments in gold and other precious metals
Whether you are new to the world of investing or an experienced investor interested in learning more about gold and precious metal IRAs, you will find valuable information here. It id all about de-mystifying and making the process of diversifying your investment portfolio with precious metals as simple as possible.
Click on a question to see the answer:
Can a person have more than one IRA?
Can a precious metals investment be made through an existing IRA?
How can an investment in precious metals be made through an Individual Retirement Account?
What is a traditional or Roth IRA?
Can I transfer or rollover my existing IRA?
How quickly can I expect my IRA to be rolled over into gold?
Is gold the only asset that I can hold in my IRA?
Is it possible to open a new IRA with cash?
How much does a typical IRA investor invest in precious metals?
Why should I choose GoldStar Trust Company as my IRA custodian?
Can the dealer handle the Investment Directions for me?
What happens to my gold or other precious metals?
How safe are my precious metals?
Are the precious metals for my IRA account separately identified and stored?
Can I transfer my precious metals to a storage facility I choose?
Can I take custody of IRA assets?
What is the difference between a custodian and a trustee?
What type of gold can be held in my IRA?
Do I get a statement on a regular basis
What are the fees for establishing a Self-directed gold IRA?
What is an IRA?
An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a retirement savings plan which provides some tax advantages to the individual, like tax-deferred or tax-free growth of any earnings. Because there are a number of different types of IRAs, the age for withdrawal, contribution limits and other important factors vary by type. IRAs can be used as a supplement to a 401(k) account or as an integral part of an investment portfolio.
Go back to the list of questions.
Can a person have more than one IRA?
While there is no limit on the number of IRAs you can have, there is a maximum deferred annual contribution of $4,000. This is a total per individual, whether you contribute to one IRA or several.
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Can a precious metals investment be made through an existing IRA?
Yes, provided the current trustee or custodian is willing to administer an investment in precious metals.
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How can an investment in precious metals be made through an Individual Retirement Account?
An investor with a self-directed IRA may direct that some of the funds in the IRA be invested in precious metals. IRA investments may include any gold, silver and platinum coins and gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion, which meet the refinement requirements of bullion traded through commodities contracts.
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What is a Self-directed IRA?
A Self-directed IRA is exactly like any other IRA, with one major difference. You choose where your IRA funds will be invested, rather than just accepting whatever the IRA Trustee or Custodian decides. This gives you greater flexibility, because you can choose precious metals, stocks, bonds, CDs, mutual funds, government obligations, and other investments.
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What is a traditional or Roth IRA?
Your tax or financial advisor can help you determine what type of IRA would best benefit you. Here is a basic overview of the traditional IRA versus the Roth IRA. Basically, anyone who has earned income can contribute to an IRA each year. The maximum contribution amount will increase from $3,000 to $5,000 by 2010, with another $500 to $1,000 allowed for those 50 and over.
Depending on your income, marital status, and participation in employer plans, your contribution to a traditional IRA may be deductible. A traditional IRA helps reduce your yearly tax liability, as what you contribute to an IRA each year is deducted from your total income, so you are not taxed on it. You can contribute up to $5,000 each year (total for all IRAs, even if you have multiple accounts). However, if you choose to withdraw your money before age of 59 ½, you will have to pay taxes and penalties. The only exception to this is if you are withdrawing the money for purchasing a house or to cover approved higher education costs – taking your money out for these reasons will allow the penalty to be waived, although you will still pay tax on the amount.
With a Roth IRA, you don’t get a tax deduction on contributions, but at retirement, qualified distributions from the account are completely tax free. You are not required to begin taking withdrawals from Roth IRAs after age 70-½. Not everyone qualifies for a Roth IRA – you must have earned a modified adjusted gross income of no more than $116,000 for a single taxpayer or no more than $159,000 for a married couple filing jointly.
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Can I transfer or rollover my existing IRA?
Money in an existing IRA can be moved to a precious metals IRA by transfer or rollover, which does not necessitate reporting to the IRS. You can transfer funds as often as you like, without restrictions. You simply open an IRA and authorize the transfer. Your new IRA custodian will contact the previous institution and take care of getting the funds moved. IRA rollovers require reporting to the IRS and there are time limits and other restrictions. You should always seek competent tax advice before taking a distribution for rollover.
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How quickly can I expect my IRA to be rolled over into gold?
The amount of time it takes to complete the process can vary. Rest assured that your CAM representative will be working with your IRA custodian to expedite your transfer or rollover.
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Is gold the only asset that I can hold in my IRA?
Because your precious metal IRA is self-directed and allows you control over your funds allocation, you make the choice of what assets are in your IRA. You can select stocks, money market accounts, bonds, mutual funds, and more.
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Is it possible to open a new IRA with cash?
You can certainly fund your new IRA with cash, but you should be aware that you will only get tax benefits on the first $5,000/$6,000 for age 50 or older (maximum annual contribution).
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How much does a typical IRA investor invest in precious metals?
Investments of $10,000 to $20,000 are fairly common, with the amount invested in precious metals sometimes reaching $100,000 or more. Keep in mind that though the yearly maximum contribution is $5,000/$6,000 for age 50 or older, many investors have accrued a substantial amount in their accounts over time.
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Why should I choose GoldStar Trust Company as my IRA custodian?
The choice of your IRA custodian is an important one. When considering adding precious metals to your IRA, selecting a company with solid precious metals experience is key. GoldStar Trust Company is a leading custodian for precious metals IRAs in the United States. Their experience and expertise in this area make it easy for you to work with them to open your precious metals IRA.
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Can the dealer handle the Investment Directions for me?
Investment Directions must be in writing with approval signified by the account holder’s signature. If the investor desires, the Investment Direction Form can be signed and forwarded to the dealer for completion of details and forwarded to GoldStar (or other custodian). Generally, GoldStar requests an indication by the dealer that the final details have been discussed with the client prior to forwarding the Investment Direction, but this cannot be assured.
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What happens to my gold or other precious metals?
Once you choose a precious metals IRA, your gold or other precious metals will be securely stored at an already designated specialized precious metals depository. While your precious metals will be safely stored, this facility will allow for easy access to your metals should you choose to have them physically delivered.
Please note, though, if you actually take possession of your precious metals, you’ll likely face penalties and taxes because it counts as a distribution.
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How safe are my precious metals?
Precious metals IRA assets are deposited with Delaware Depository Service Company (DDSC), an exchange approved precious metals custody and distribution center licensed by NYMEX, COMEX, and CBOT. That means you can feel confident that they are safe and secure. In the highly unlikely event that anything should happen to DDSC or GoldStar, your gold or other precious metals are yours and will always be yours, unless you elect to sell these assets or a personal lien is placed against you.
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Are the precious metals for my IRA account separately identified and stored?
The precious metals assets of all IRA accounts for which GoldStar Trust Company serves as custodian are stored together. The assets are considered “fungible” and are not individually identified. Your IRA will be credited with the assets received for it by type of metal, type of coin or bullion, manufacturer of bullion, denomination of coins, and weight of item.
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Can I transfer my precious metals to a storage facility I choose?
GoldStar Trust Company is responsible for custody of IRA assets and selects the facility used to deposit all precious metals held in IRA accounts. You may, of course, transfer the IRA assets in kind to a different trustee or custodian which currently uses a different depository or permits segregated, individual storage of assets for your IRA. GoldStar Trust Company will deliver the assets in accordance with the instructions of the successor trustee or custodian after payment of costs and fees due.
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Can I take custody of IRA assets?
While you may take a distribution of assets in your IRA, you cannot physically take custody of your gold or other assets. These assets must remain with GoldStar Trust or other custodian or trustee of the IRA. Should you take a distribution, however, this must be reported to the IRS.
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What is the difference between a custodian and a trustee?
The differences between a “custodian” and a “trustee” are minor. A trust is a legal entity under which assets are actually owned and held on behalf of a beneficiary. The trustee has some level of discretionary fiduciary authority over the assets of the fund. The trustee must exercise that authority in the best interests of the beneficiary. A custodial arrangement, on the other hand, is like a trust, but the custodian simply holds the assets on behalf of the owner of the assets. Other than holding the assets and doing as the owner orders, the custodian has no fiduciary obligations to the owner. The determination of what constitutes a trust or custodial arrangement is a determination made under state law.
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What type of gold can be held in my IRA?
According to law, all gold bullion bars with a minimum pureness of 0.995% fineness and NYMEX- or COMEX- approved refiner/assayer hallmark can be added to an IRA, but only select gold bullion coins.
The United States government currently allows Gold American Eagles and Gold proof American Eagles in IRAs. Other gold coins allowed to be put into an IRA include the American Buffalo, Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, and Australian Gold Nugget.
Gold bars are ideal for IRAs, as they sell at smaller premiums than gold coins. Although the regulations that govern gold contributions to IRAs call for a minimum purity of only 0.995%, most gold bullion bars are 0.9999% pure.
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Do I get a statement on a regular basis?
Yes. GoldStar Trust sends statements via regular mail on a quarterly basis.
GoldStar will provide you with a semiannual account hardcopy statement, showing all activity in your account and the fair market value of your investments as well as providing you with 24/7 online access to your account.
From ( http://www.goldstartrust.com/IRAPrograms.htm)
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What are the fees for establishing a Self-directed gold IRA?
The GoldStar Trust fee schedule and financial disclosures can be found here.
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Questions about putting gold or precious metals into your IRA? Call Cornerstone Asset Metals at 888-747-3309. We have the answers!
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