Advantage Gold runs the rollover for you in three steps, and it says your account is funded “in a few days” after you send a statement from your current plan. The money moves from your old plan to your new IRA custodian without passing through your hands, which is the version of a rollover that carries no 60-day deadline.
Three ways to move retirement money
The IRS describes several ways to get retirement money into a new IRA, and the difference between them decides how much work you do and how much risk you carry, with Publication 590-A on irs.gov covering each one.
| Method | What happens | Your role |
|---|---|---|
| Direct transfer | One IRA custodian sends the money straight to another IRA custodian | Sign the forms |
| Direct rollover | Your employer plan sends the money straight to the new IRA custodian | Sign the forms |
| Indirect rollover | The old plan pays you, and you deposit it into the new IRA yourself | Deposit it in time |
A direct transfer is the move between two IRAs, such as a Traditional IRA at a bank into a self-directed gold IRA. A direct rollover is the move from an employer plan like a 401(k), 403(b) or TSP into an IRA, and both are handled between institutions so that you never hold the funds yourself.
An indirect rollover is the only version with a clock, and you have 60 days from the day you receive the money to deposit it into the new IRA. Miss that window and the IRS can treat the amount as a taxable distribution. Employer plans also withhold 20% for federal tax on a check paid to you, and you would need to replace that amount from other funds to roll over the full balance. Between IRAs, the IRS allows one indirect rollover in any 12-month period.
Advantage Gold’s process is built around the direct routes, so the 60-day rule and the withholding never come into play.
How Advantage Gold handles the rollover
The company lists three steps on its rollover page, and it describes the service as full service, meaning it processes the rollover or transfer on your behalf.
- Open the gold IRA. You complete the custodial application with an account executive and sign it electronically, which the company says takes about 30 minutes or less with an account executive.
- Complete the rollover. You send a statement from your current plan, and the custodian contacts your old plan administrator and moves the funds.
- Buy your metals. The account executive walks you through eligible coins and bars, then Advantage Gold buys the metal, packs it, insures it and ships it to the depository.
Your first call is the one that sets the rest in motion, because the account executive who opens the account with you is the same person who guides the purchase. You can start at Advantage Gold's site or call the number on the phone page.
How long it takes
Advantage Gold gives the timeline as funding “in a few days” after you send your statement. The exact pace depends on how quickly your old plan administrator responds to the custodian’s request, since that step sits with the administrator and not with Advantage Gold.
What you control is the front end, so have a recent statement ready, know your plan administrator’s contact details and finish the application in one sitting. With an account executive on the line, the company puts that step at about 30 minutes or less with an account executive.
Accounts Advantage Gold accepts
The company opens Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, Simple IRA accounts, and it accepts rollovers from a 401(k), 403(b) or pension plan. It also names the Thrift Savings Plan as a rollover source, with a note that it is not affiliated with the TSP.
| Source account | Route |
|---|---|
| Traditional IRA | Direct transfer |
| Roth IRA | Direct transfer to a Roth gold IRA |
| SEP or Simple IRA | Direct transfer |
| 401(k) | Direct rollover |
| 403(b) | Direct rollover |
| Pension plan | Direct rollover |
| Thrift Savings Plan | Direct rollover |
Rules on when you can move money out of an employer plan depend on the plan itself. Many plans allow a rollover after you leave the employer or reach age 59½, some allow an in-service rollover sooner, and your plan administrator can tell you which applies to you. Our guides on rolling over a 401(k) to a gold IRA and moving a TSP into a gold IRA walk through the plan-side steps, and the general gold IRA rollover guide covers the whole sequence.
What it costs to set up
The account fees apply the same way whether you fund by rollover or transfer. As of April 17, 2026 the setup fee is $50, administration is $100 a year and a wire carries a $30 fee, and the Advantage Gold fees page lays out each charge in full.
What to do before you start
A few checks before the first call make the rollover smoother and faster.
- Check that your plan allows a rollover. Ask the administrator whether you are eligible to move the balance now.
- Choose a direct route. Tell the administrator you want a direct rollover so no check is written to you.
- Decide the split. You can roll all of the balance or part of it, and the minimum investment is $5,000.
- Ask about timing. Your account executive will tell you what to expect from your specific plan, and the what to expect page shows the full first-month sequence.
Who it fits, and who should look elsewhere
The process fits you if you want a company to run the paperwork and the follow-up with your old plan while you keep your regular routine. It works well for a first rollover, since the same account executive stays with you from the application through to the purchase of your metals.
The $5,000 minimum puts the process out of reach below that balance, and there is no live chat, so questions during the rollover go by phone. If your balance is smaller or you want to see other options, compare matched companies first. For the full company profile, read the Advantage Gold review.
Common questions
How long does an Advantage Gold rollover take?
Advantage Gold says the account is funded in a few days after you send a statement from your current plan. The custodian contacts your old plan administrator and moves the money directly.
Can I roll a 401(k) into an Advantage Gold IRA?
Yes. Advantage Gold accepts 401(k), 403(b) and pension plan rollovers, along with Traditional, Roth, SEP and Simple IRAs. It also names the Thrift Savings Plan as a rollover source.
What is the 60-day rollover rule?
It applies only to an indirect rollover, where the plan pays you first and you have 60 days to deposit the money into the new IRA. A direct rollover or transfer has no 60-day clock.
Does Advantage Gold do the rollover paperwork for me?
Yes. The company runs a full-service process in which your account executive completes the application with you and the custodian requests the funds from your old plan.
Is a direct rollover taxable?
No. A direct rollover between qualified accounts is not a taxable distribution, because the money never passes through your hands. The IRS explains the rules in Publication 590-A.
Can I roll over a TSP into a gold IRA with Advantage Gold?
Yes. Advantage Gold lists the TSP as an eligible rollover source, and our TSP to gold IRA guide covers the plan-side steps.
Ready to talk to Advantage Gold?
Advantage Gold is a paid partner. Details on our disclosure page.