Gold IRA Depositories (2026): Where Your Metal Actually Lives
Storage types, insurance, costs and how to verify your holdings.
On This Page
What a Depository Does
A depository is a secure, insured vault that stores IRA metals on behalf of your custodian. Because the IRS exception for IRA bullion requires a bank or approved trustee to hold it, IRA metals belong in an approved facility, not at home. See home storage gold IRAs.
Depositories Named by Companies We Review
| Depository | Named By |
|---|---|
| Delaware Depository | Gold Alliance, Monetary Gold, American Hartford Gold (reported) |
| Brink's | American Hartford Gold (reported) |
Segregated vs Commingled Storage
| Segregated | Commingled (Non-Segregated) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Your exact coins and bars stored separately | Your metal pooled with identical products |
| What you get back | The same pieces | The same type and amount |
| Cost | Usually higher | Usually lower |
Typical Storage Fees
Storage is usually a flat yearly fee or a percentage of value. Augusta publishes $110 a year and Noble Gold $160 a year. Monetary Gold has been reported at about $100 a year for up to $100,000.
Insurance
Depositories carry insurance against covered losses such as theft. Insurance does not protect against falling metal prices.
Verify Your Metals
- Ask for the depository's name and account number.
- Request a holdings statement listing each product.
- Compare it with your invoice.
- Check statements yearly.
- Raise any mismatch with your custodian immediately.
Verifying delivery matters. In the Regal Assets case, regulators alleged customer funds were misappropriated.
Our Picks
Our top pick, Augusta Precious Metals, publishes its $110 storage fee; our budget pick Noble Gold publishes $160.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is Gold IRA Gold Stored?
At an approved depository such as the Delaware Depository or Brink's.
What Is Segregated Storage?
Your exact pieces stored separately from others.
How Much Does Storage Cost?
Often about $100 to $200 a year.
Is My Gold Insured?
Depositories insure against covered losses, not price drops.
Precious metals prices can fall as well as rise, and a gold IRA carries setup, custody and storage fees. This page is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Consider speaking with a licensed financial professional before moving retirement savings.
Ask the Right Storage Questions
Get Augusta's free checklist for choosing a gold IRA company, including storage questions.