Gold with a Keogh Plan? (2026 Guide + Rules & Fees)

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Are you using a Keogh retirement plan and wondering whether it can help you diversify with gold? You’re in the right place. Below we’ll explain what a Keogh plan actually is today, what it can realistically invest in, and the most common (and safest) ways Keogh plan owners get physical gold exposure for retirement.

Free Gold IRA Guide for Keogh Plan Owners (2026)

If your end goal is physical bullion (not ETFs), this guide helps you understand eligibility, storage rules, common fee traps, and what to ask before moving any retirement money.

Disclosure: If you request the guide through our link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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What is a Keogh Plan?

A “Keogh plan” is an older name for retirement plans sponsored by self-employed people and small business owners. The IRS still explains the term, but in modern practice you’ll usually hear these called qualified plans for the self-employed (defined contribution or defined benefit). In other words, the label “Keogh” is less common now, but the underlying concept is still alive and well.

IRS guidance on retirement plans for self-employed people (including “Keogh”) is a good starting point if you want the official definition.

Common “Keogh” plan structures

• Profit Sharing Plan (defined contribution)
• Money Purchase Plan (defined contribution)
• Defined Benefit Plan (pension-style, typically requires an actuary)

Keogh-style plans can be powerful, but they’re also known for heavier paperwork and ongoing administration compared to simpler options like a SEP IRA or a Solo 401(k).

Keogh plan contribution limits (why high earners still use them)

Limits depend on the exact plan design, your compensation, and how the plan is set up. For defined contribution plans, the IRS sets an annual “additions” cap that changes over time. For defined benefit plans, the maximum annual benefit is also capped and adjusted periodically.

• 2026 defined contribution annual additions limit: $72,000
• 2026 defined benefit annual benefit limit: $290,000

You can verify those 2026 figures in IRS Notice 2025-67 (PDF). If you’re actually running a Keogh/qualified plan, it’s smart to confirm your specific contribution ceiling with your plan professional, since the “real” max can be lower depending on compensation and plan type.

Can a Keogh Plan hold physical gold bullion?

Most Keogh plan owners cannot simply click “buy gold bars” inside their current plan, because mainstream plan providers typically restrict investments to traditional assets (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, CDs). In many real-world Keogh setups, physical bullion is not offered.

That said, the practical answer comes down to two things:

1. What your plan document allows (your plan’s rules matter).
2. What your trustee/custodian can operationally support (many simply won’t handle physical bullion logistics).

If your primary goal is physical metals in a retirement structure, the most common path is to move eligible funds into a self-directed setup designed for bullion, rather than trying to force bullion into a traditional Keogh arrangement.

Important compliance note: retirement accounts have strict rules around self-dealing and prohibited transactions. If you’re unsure whether an action crosses the line, treat this as a tax-and-compliance question first. See IRS guidance on prohibited transactions for examples of what can cause trouble.

Keogh rollover rules and limitations (the part that trips people up)

If your Keogh plan allows it (and you’re eligible based on the plan rules), you may be able to roll over some or all of your plan balance into another qualified retirement account. Many investors prefer a direct rollover (trustee-to-trustee) because it reduces timing and withholding mistakes.

• Direct rollover: funds move directly between custodians/trustees, generally cleaner and lower risk.
• Indirect rollover: funds are paid to you first, and you redeposit them within the allowed window. This can trigger withholding and creates more ways to mess up.

For the official rules and examples (including timing and withholding), refer to IRS guidance on rollovers of retirement plan and IRA distributions.

If you’re specifically looking to move retirement funds into a precious-metals-friendly structure, our step-by-step guide here explains the process in plain English: Gold IRA rollover guide.

Keogh Plan vs. SEP IRA vs. Solo 401(k) vs. IRA (quick comparison)

Here’s a simple, reader-friendly comparison that replaces the old shortcode table.

Note: “Maybe” usually comes down to the plan document and the trustee/custodian’s capabilities. If your goal is physical bullion specifically, most investors end up comparing self-directed structures and storage rules. Our explainer on self-directed IRAs is the easiest place to start.

What types of “gold exposure” can you get in a Keogh plan?

In most Keogh plans offered through mainstream providers, you can usually access gold exposure in “paper” form, such as:

• Gold ETFs
• Precious-metals mutual funds
• Mining and royalty stocks
• Broad commodities funds (depending on the provider)

If you want to understand the tradeoffs clearly, read: physical gold vs. paper gold. It breaks down counterparty risk, volatility, liquidity, and why “gold exposure” is not one single thing.

Benefits of rolling a Keogh plan into an IRA for physical metals

If your Keogh plan can’t operationally support bullion, a rollover into a structure designed for physical metals can solve the access problem. The core benefits are usually:

• Broader asset menu: you’re no longer restricted to what a traditional plan provider offers.
• Clear custody + storage workflow: physical metals for retirement accounts are typically handled through an IRA custodian and an approved depository.
• More transparency on fees: you can compare setups more directly once you’re shopping specialized providers.

Fees still matter a lot, especially on smaller account sizes. If you want a practical fee breakdown before doing anything, see: gold IRA costs and fees.

Where your metals are stored (and why it matters)

With physical bullion in a retirement structure, storage is not a cosmetic detail. It affects insurance, reporting, and your ongoing costs (segregated vs commingled is one of the big fee levers). If you want the “how it works” version, start here:

IRS-approved depositories and storage options

Keogh plan FAQ (detailed)

Before you move a Keogh balance, read this first

GoldenCrest’s free guide is built for retirement savers who want physical bullion exposure and want to avoid expensive beginner mistakes.

Disclosure: If you request the guide through our link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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