Methodology: where our facts come from

TSP rules: tsp.gov only

Eligibility, withdrawal types, minimums, spouse rules, processing times and the forms list come from tsp.gov's own pages and from the publications it lists: Distributions (TSPBK25), In-Service Withdrawals (TSPBK12), Tax Rules about TSP Payments (TSPBK26) and the fact sheet Rollovers from the Thrift Savings Plan to Eligible Retirement Plans (TSPFS5). We note each publication's edition date. When tsp.gov and an older guide disagree, tsp.gov wins.

Tax rules: irs.gov and the TSP's tax booklet

Rollover rules, the 60-day deadline, the 10% early withdrawal tax and its exceptions, required minimum distributions and the collectibles rule for IRA metal come from irs.gov and from the TSP's tax booklet, which applies the same law to TSP payments.

Company facts: one verified record

Fees, minimums, kits, promotions, custodians and shipping terms come from a single verified company record. Every field in it carries a source link (usually the company's own page, its custodian's fee schedule, or a regulator or court record), the date it was checked and a status: verified, partial, conflicting, company claim, secondary or not found. The current record was checked on October 29, 2026.

• We publish verified and partial facts, and say what's missing from a partial one.
• Where a company's pages conflict, we say so rather than pick the friendlier figure.
• Where a company doesn't publish something (most don't publish their markup), we say "not published".
• Companies that are out of business, in bankruptcy or the subject of recent regulator fraud findings are left out entirely.

Equity Trust's precious-metals fee schedule is our reference for typical custodian costs, because several dealers name it as a custodian.

How the companies are ordered

Goldco is listed first and Augusta Precious Metals second. Both pay us, and that is part of why they are first. Goldco's place also rests on facts in the record: its FAQ names the TSP among the accounts it funds gold IRAs from, it publishes flat fees, and its minimum suits a partial TSP rollover. Augusta's higher minimum is why we suggest it only to readers moving that much or more. The other companies in our tables are shown for information, with no links out, because they don't pay us and we don't want to send you to them with tracking you didn't expect.

We don't score companies or award stars. Any weighting would hide real differences behind an average.

How we keep it current

• Every page shows the date its facts were checked. TSP and IRS facts are rechecked when those agencies change their pages; company facts at least every 90 days.
• Dates in our sitemap match the dates on the pages. We don't change a date unless the page changed.

What we don't do

• We don't forecast metal prices or fund returns.
• We don't give personal financial or tax advice.
• We don't publish testimonials, ratings or reviews written for pay.
• We don't open accounts or buy metal to test companies.

Questions or corrections: contact us. See also our editorial policy and affiliate disclosure.