Even if you don’t wear jewelry, there’s a good chance you have precious metals somewhere in your home, as manufacturers use platinum in computer hard drives, gold in cell phones and silver in solar panels. Because precious metals are so valuable, some people invest in them, purchasing gold or silver bars and hoping they increase in value over time.
Citizens Gold Trust, an educational portal operated by Gold Alliance, provides information about using precious metals as part of your retirement portfolio. Before you invest your hard-earned money, take a few minutes to learn more about the company.
An Overview of Citizens Gold Trust
Gold Alliance uses the Citizens Gold Trust website to educate potential customers about the benefits of investing in precious metals. Company representatives believe it’s important to invest in physical items you can see and hold, which is why Citizens Gold Trust focuses on including gold and silver in your retirement savings plan.
However, it’s worth noting that Citizens Gold Trust offers generic information about investing. It doesn’t provide advice tailored to your situation, so it’s important to consult a financial planner and a tax advisor to determine how investing in precious metals might affect your finances.
It’s also important to understand the importance of diversification, which is the practice of investing in several types of assets. Diversification makes it easier to weather the ups and downs of the market. If you want to invest in precious metals, ensure they’re not your portfolio’s only asset.
Investment Products
Citizens Gold Trust offers several investment products, including gold and silver IRAs. If you have a traditional IRA, you can’t use it to invest in gold or silver. CGT offers a self-directed IRA, which allows you to invest in gold, silver and other nontraditional assets.
You can also transfer assets from an existing 401(k) or another qualified retirement account to CGT, making it easier to diversify your portfolio. If you decide to move funds from one of your existing accounts, a CGT representative can help with the transfer.
Educational Services
CGT also has investment professionals available to provide consultations and educate consumers about their options. For example, the company publishes market insights to help its customers make informed financial planning and investing decisions. If you schedule a consultation, you can ask questions about using a gold and silver IRA as part of your retirement savings plan.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Investing in Precious Metals
Advantages
One of the main benefits of investing in gold and silver is that their value usually increases over time, giving you a solid return on your investment.
For example, the price of gold rose from $444.74 per troy ounce in 2005 to $1,160.60 per troy ounce in 2015. If you purchased 100 troy ounces of gold in 2005, you would have made a profit of $71,586 in just 10 years.
Gold and silver prices also tend to be less volatile than stock prices, allowing you to limit your losses during market downturns. This phenomenon was evidenced when gold and silver increased in value during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the stock market was in a tailspin.
Another advantage of including precious metals in your investment portfolio is that they’re tangible. If you invest in cryptocurrency, it’s nothing but a number on your computer screen. Although the U.S. Treasury still offers paper I bonds, you can only buy them if you pay with your federal tax refund. Otherwise, you have to purchase electronic savings bonds. Many investors feel nervous about having investments that they can’t hold in their hands, making gold, silver and other precious metals an attractive investment.
Finally, investing in precious metals protects you from the risks of investing in a single company. As a stockholder, you have little to no control over most aspects of a company’s operations. Therefore, there’s always a chance that the company will go out of business, leaving you with worthless shares.
Just look at Bed Bath & Beyond. On January 1, 2021, the company’s stock was worth $35.33 per share; it closed at less than 22 cents per share on June 9, 2023. Gold and silver don’t “go out of business” or hire inexperienced executives, so they’re safer than single stocks.
Disadvantages
The main drawback of investing in gold and silver is that short-term prices can fluctuate wildly. If you think you’ll need to cash in your investment within 1 or 2 years, precious metals may not be the best option.
Gold prices also tend to decrease when the stock market is doing well. This is a good thing during a recession but not during periods of economic prosperity.
Is Citizens Gold Trust Right for You?
If you want to include gold or silver in your IRA, consider working with Citizens Gold Trust. The company has trained representatives available to answer your questions and assist with fund transfers. It takes as little as three days to fund your IRA if you move assets from an existing retirement plan to CGT, making it easier to reach your investment goals.
CGT even has a relationship with the Delaware Depository, which complies with all IRS regulations related to storing IRA assets. Delaware Depository has a climate-controlled facility with highly trained security professionals available to keep your investment as safe as possible. It’s also insured by London Underwriters, an LLC registered in Florida.
Before investing with CGT or any other company, ensure you understand the potential risks. If you need guidance on choosing an investment or determining how much money to spend, consult a Certified Financial Planner.
You might also be interested in: Review of Goldco’s Precious Metals IRA Account and Direct Purchase
