Convert More Cash To Pms To Protect From Government?

Yes, it is difficult to do as much with a 401k or IRA as one might want. The 401k is specially difficult because there are a lot of company rules as well as IRS regulations that pertain to them.

It is possible to set up a PM IRA. There are a number of companies doing that but they are all small and I keep wondering if any of them is the next MF Global. None of them gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling that a large IRA custodian would give. They have a lot at stake and fooling around with their clients' money is not something that their rep could stand. So, for the moment, at least, it is a quandary.

The good news for me, at least, is that I am over age 59.5 and can withdraw funds from my IRA without incurring the extra 10% penalty. I do have to watch the tax situation, though, to make sure that I am not putting myself in a more expensive tax situation.

A reasonably good approach for me might be to withdraw an extra $25k per year and roll that into a PM Roth IRA. I would be paying the tax on that money in the tax year in which it is rolled over but by keeping the amount relatively small, the bite would not be too bad. Once in a Roth PM account, huge growth in the value of the PMs in the account would have no tax consequences under the current rules. Yes, they could and probably will change them at some point but there is no knowing when that will be.



Thanks, guys. Appreciate the comments.

One thing about all this is that there just isn't any perfect answer that works under all possible future scenarios. Given that, the best we can do is diversify our PM holdings in different metals and in different locations. I understand that a SD box at a local bank or CU will not provide perfect security but it is pretty darned good. So is burying some (just don't forget where!) and having some in a good safe or two. Owning some PMs in a physical metals ETF has some advantages too and a smaller amount invested there could work for most folks.