The vast majority of 401 k plans do not allow individuals to directly invest in physical gold.
Can i buy physical gold with 401k.
However gold iras do exist that specialize in holding precious metals for retirement savings.
To invest retirement funds directly in physical gold and silver a self directed ira is necessary.
A gold ira rollover means that you roll over existing assets from a 401 k plan into a new gold ira.
Unfortunately 401k plans that allow precious metals investments can only purchase paper gold in the form of etfs or mutual funds.
That gold ira becomes the investment vehicle that you use to purchase physical gold coins and bullion.
So while you can buy gold with your 401 k assets through an etf you re still not investing in physical gold just in shares of a fund that holds physical gold.
Once open you can perform a direct rollover from your 401 k to your self directed gold ira and use the money to buy the permitted forms of gold and other precious metals.