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Just 35% of Americans said they were on track with their retirement savings, according to the 2025 Report on the Economic Well-being of U.S. Households, so it's no surprise that gold can be an appealing investment.
Gold (GC=F) has been valued for centuries, but is all that glitter worth the hype? Gold's price has skyrocketed in recent years — it's over $5,000 as of March 2026. Many people are considering putting more of their money into gold rather than other investment options, particularly as they plan for retirement.
Although it's possible to retire comfortably by investing solely in gold, it's a lot more difficult (and requires much more of your own money) than if you invested in the stock market.
Read more: Who decides what gold is worth? How gold prices are determined.
Key takeaways
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Gold involves added costs, including insurance and storage fees.
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Over the long term, the stock market has outperformed gold.
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Experts recommend putting no more than 15% of your portfolio into gold.
How can I use gold to save for retirement?
There are two main strategies for investing in gold for retirement: purchasing physical gold coins or bars and investing in a gold individual retirement account (IRA).
Physical gold
When it comes to investing in gold, purchasing physical gold is the most common approach. Investors can purchase gold coins or bars. These items are tangible and can be stored at home. You don't have to rely on banks or brokerage accounts — you can literally hold your wealth. And physical gold can act as a hedge against inflation and provide peace of mind.
The downside? Physical gold is at risk of theft and loss. You'll have to get a strong safe (or pay for professional storage) and purchase insurance coverage.
Plus, you'll have to sell your gold in retirement for income. Selling gold isn't always easy or quick; you have to find a buyer willing to pay your price, which can be a hassle in your golden years.
Learn more: Is gold a good investment in 2026?
Gold IRAs
Gold IRAs are self-directed retirement accounts that allow you to invest in alternative assets like precious metals. Through your retirement account, you purchase physical gold, which is managed by an approved custodian and stored in a vault.
Only certain gold products are eligible for gold IRAs. All gold must meet 0.995 purity standards.
They're subject to the same tax advantages as regular Roth or Traditional IRAs and are also subject to required minimum distribution (RMD) rules.
While gold IRAs can be appealing, they tend to have high setup fees, custodian fees, and ongoing storage costs.
Read more: How gold IRAs are taxed
Gold vs. stock market: Which performed better?
Gold enthusiasts tout the precious metal's stellar performance over the past few decades, but it pales in comparison to the performance of the stock market.
Consider this: From December 1985 until March 2026, gold's price went from $327 to $5,019. If you were 25 and invested $10,000 in gold in December 1985, you would've bought 30.58 ounces of gold. Now that you're 65, that gold would be worth $153,450.
Sounds great, right? That's a huge return. However, the stock market's performance blows those numbers out of the water.
If you invested $10,000 in the S&P 500 in 1985, your investment would be worth $317,064, more than double the total value of your gold investment.
Even better, if you invested $10,000 in the Nasdaq in 1985, your investment would be worth $688,448, more than four times the value of your gold investment.
Read more: How much gold would $1 million buy at different points in history?
| <strong>Stock Market vs. Gold: Which Performed Better?</strong> | |||
| <strong>Date</strong> | <strong>S&P500</strong> | <strong>Nasdaq</strong> | <strong>Gold</strong> |
| Dec. 1985 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Dec. 1990 | $15,629 | $11,502 | $11,957 |
| Dec. 2000 | $62,489 | $76,002 | $8,341 |
| Dec. 2005 | $67,128 | $67,848 | $15,688 |
| Dec. 2010 | $59,494 | $81,602 | $43,118 |
| Dec. 2015 | $96,695 | $154,065 | $32,476 |
| Dec. 2020 | $177,771 | $396,564 | $57,827 |
| Dec. 2025 | $323,974 | $715,126 | $132,748 |
| March 2026 | $317,064 | $688,448 | $153,450 |
| *Assumes an initial $10,000 investment with no other contributions |
While gold's price has grown significantly, you have to contribute a lot more to your retirement to have the same amount of money once you're 65. Investing in stocks does a lot more of the work for you, so you don't have to invest as much cash.
Gold certainly had its moments, and it usually held its value even during periods of steep declines in the stock market. But over the long term, stocks delivered consistent, compounding growth.
Pros and cons of using gold to save for retirement
Gold can play a role in your retirement plan, but there are some pros and cons to consider.
Pros
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It provides a hedge against inflation: When inflation rates skyrocket and the purchasing power of the dollar declines, gold can provide some stability.
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It tends to hold value: Because gold isn't directly tied to the stock market's performance, it tends to hold its value, even in periods of economic decline or uncertainty.
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It's tangible: Unlike stocks or mutual funds, gold is physical. You can see it and hold it in your hand, so it can feel more real and safe.
Learn more: How to invest in gold in 4 steps
Cons
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Gold isn't liquid: If you hold gold and need cash to fund your retirement, you have to find a buyer and sell your holdings. That can be time-consuming and tricky in retirement.
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It doesn't pay interest or dividends: Many stocks and other investment accounts pay dividends or interest, while gold is stagnant. It doesn't produce any income, and the only way to use it to fund your retirement is to sell it, which reduces your total retirement fund (particularly during periods when gold's price declines).
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It doesn't perform as well as stocks: As mentioned earlier, gold's performance is storing, but it doesn't hold a candle to the performance of the stock market over the long term.
How much of my portfolio should be made up of gold?
Gold can play an important role in your retirement plan, but it should only make up a small sliver of your overall investment portfolio. Investing experts at Morningstar recommend putting no more than 15% of your portfolio into precious metals like gold. The right allocation for you depends on your age, risk tolerance, and financial goals.
Retiring on gold FAQs
Does gold outperform 401(k) or IRAs?
No, gold usually underperforms 401(k)s and IRAs with investments in the stock market. Historically, stocks have provided higher returns than gold over the long term.
How much gold should I own for retirement?
Experts suggest putting anywhere from 1% to 15% of your portfolio into gold, but that percentage is dependent on your age and investment goals.
What happens if gold prices fall after I retire?
If gold's price falls after you retire, you may have to sell your gold holdings at a loss, reducing your retirement fund and depleting your investment faster.