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The strong performance of gold in 2025 and so far this year has everyone looking to add a little glitter to their portfolios. As of February 24, gold's price is over $5,188.60 per troy ounce, good for a gain of around 75% over the past year and still hovering around its all-time high in January.

For investors looking to gain exposure to the precious metal as a means of diversifying their portfolios, investing in a gold individual retirement account (IRA) can be appealing. But, gold IRAs are quite different from traditional or Roth IRAs, and the process of opening one can be overwhelming.

To help investors new to this asset class make the adjustment, some gold dealers and gold IRA providers offer specialized gold IRA kits. These kits contain comprehensive guides and resources, and may include other perks like account credits or discounts on storage.

Here's what you need to know about gold IRA kits, and where you can get one for free.

What is a gold IRA kit?

Unlike employer-sponsored retirement plans and traditional or Roth IRAs, which only allow you to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs, a gold IRA is a type of self-directed retirement account, or SDIRA. This type of account lets you invest in gold, other precious metals and alternative assets like real estate.

Gold IRA kits are packages of materials offered by some gold IRA companies that are designed as starter guides for new gold investors. Although the specifics of each kit vary by company, they usually include the following:

• Details on gold IRAs: Gold IRA kits include in-depth information on gold IRAs, how they work and how they differ from traditional or Roth IRAs, details about secure gold storage and insuring your precious metals and the pros and cons of investing in gold.
• Information on IRA transfers: If you're planning on opening a gold IRA by transferring an existing IRA or converting a 401(k) into an SDIRA, the gold IRA kit will provide step-by-step instructions on how to do so.
• Latest trends: Gold IRA kits usually include the latest information about gold and the precious metals industry, including up-to-date pricing information, historical data on gold's performance and expert analysis.
• Other perks: With some companies, gold IRA kits will also include other benefits. For example, you may be eligible for free silver if you rollover another IRA, or you may be eligible for discounted or free storage at a gold depository.

Kits can come in many forms, including hard copies that you receive in the mail, videos and online or mobile-friendly guides.

Popular gold IRA kits

There are a number of companies offering precious metal IRAs and gold IRA kits, but these are some of the leading options available right now.

American Hartford Gold

Since 2015, American Hartford has been a leading precious metals dealer. The Los Angeles-based company offers a robust gold IRA kit to new investors.

When you sign up for the gold IRA kit with American Hartford Gold, you can enjoy benefits like free account setup, free insured shipping, free storage for up to five years and educational materials. Plus, you may be eligible to receive up to $15,000 in free silver after making qualifying purchases to fund a new gold IRA.

Thor Metals Group

Thor Metals Group is a precious metals dealer and gold IRA provider that offers educational resources for investors interested in diversifying with physical metals. The company has a gold IRA kit designed to walk prospective clients through the account setup process, rollover options and IRS rules governing precious metals retirement accounts.

Thor Metals’s gold IRA kit includes information on eligible gold and silver products, storage requirements and the potential benefits and risks of adding precious metals to a retirement portfolio. The company also offers up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases for customers setting up new gold IRAs.

Birch Gold Group

Birch Gold Group has been in operation since 2003. The Iowa-based company offers a variety of precious metals and is a leading gold IRA provider.

Birch Gold’s IRA kit is a 24-page document outlining information on gold IRAs, the precious metals industry and compliance with the IRS. Plus, if you invest $50,000 or more in a gold IRA with the company, you can qualify for free precious metals. Depending on how much you invest or rollover, you may be eligible for up to $10,000 of free gold.

Opening a gold IRA

If you're new to the precious metals industry and want to open a gold IRA, follow these steps:

• Choose a gold IRA company: Many companies offer gold IRAs, but they differ in terms of fees, available precious metals and customer service. You can check out our picks for the best gold IRA companies to get started.
• Decide how to find your IRA: Typically, you can rollover an existing IRA or 401(k) into a gold IRA, or you may invest new cash by transferring funds from your bank. Keep in mind that gold IRAs are subject to the same contribution limits as other IRAs. As of 2026, the contribution limit is $7,500 (or $8,600 if you're age 50 or older).
• Choose your investments: With a gold IRA, you can only invest in gold coins and bars that meet IRS purity standards. Options include American Eagle bullion and proof coins, Canadian Maple Leaf coins and U.S. Buffalo bullion coins.
• Diversify your investments: While gold may be a worthwhile addition to your portfolio, experts recommend limiting gold to a small share of your portfolio. Most agree that alternative investments, including precious metals, should make up no more than 5–10% of your overall portfolio to ensure that you're properly diversified.
  

To learn more, read Money’s guides to the best gold IRA companies and the best online gold dealers.

More from Money:

Beginner’s Guide to Investing in Precious Metals

How to Use Gold for Retirement Income

Should You Open a Gold IRA?