Gold IRA in Bell County, Texas

Q: Can I roll my TRS pension from Killeen ISD or Temple ISD into a gold IRA?

A monthly TRS defined-benefit pension already in payment cannot be rolled into a gold IRA. If you separated from Killeen ISD, Temple ISD, or Belton ISD before retirement and request a refund of your own member contributions, that amount may be eligible for a rollover. Verify eligibility with TRS and consult your tax advisor before proceeding.

Q: What about a TCDRS account from Bell County employment?

Bell County employees participate in TCDRS. TCDRS is a defined-benefit plan. An active TCDRS monthly annuity cannot be rolled into a gold IRA. A refund of your own contributions upon separation may be eligible under specific conditions. Confirm eligibility with TCDRS and your tax advisor before acting.

Q: What is the minimum balance to open a gold IRA?

There is no IRS-mandated minimum. Most providers set informal minimums of $25,000 to $50,000. Below $25,000, fixed annual fees of approximately $400 represent more than 1.6% annual drag. Most gold IRA-focused providers look for $50,000 or more in rollover-eligible assets.

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission when a reader opens an account through links on this page. The commission has no effect on what you pay or on what we publish. We are not a financial or tax advisor; consult a licensed advisor for your situation. Last reviewed June 2026.

Short on time? The essentials

A gold IRA is a self-directed IRA holding IRS-approved physical precious metals in place of stocks or bonds. Silver, platinum, and palladium are also permitted alongside gold under IRC Section 408(m)(3).
Bell County had a 2020 Census population of 362,924. Killeen is the largest city; Belton is the county seat. Fort Cavazos (renamed from Fort Hood in June 2023) anchors the county's economy and drives a large TSP-holding population.
9.9% of Bell County residents are 65 or older, compared to 13.4% statewide. The county's younger median age (31.3 years vs Texas 35.6) reflects the active-duty military population at Fort Cavazos. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024.
The median household income in Bell County is $58,932, compared to the Texas statewide median of $78,476. Fixed gold IRA fees are a bigger percentage drag on lower balances. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024.
Texas has no state personal income tax. Every taxable gold IRA event for Bell County residents, including RMDs and early withdrawals, is reported and taxed on a federal return only.
The Texas Bullion Depository in Leander (operated by Lone Star Tangible Assets) is approximately 65 miles from Killeen. Bell County residents are among the closest of any county we cover to this state-administered IRA storage option.
Eligible funding sources include a TSP (very common among Fort Cavazos personnel), 401(k) from a former private-sector employer, traditional IRA, 403(b), 457(b), and eligible pension lump-sum refunds. The 2026 annual contribution limit is $7,500 ($8,600 for age 50 or older).
Harry’s Coins is a Texas editorial authority, not a Bell County dealer or office. We do not sell gold, operate storage, or provide in-person services anywhere in the county.

On this page

Who opens a gold IRA in Bell County
Retirement accounts and rollovers
Are there gold IRA companies in Bell County?
In-state storage and Texas taxes
How a rollover actually works
Fee drag and account size
When a gold IRA is not the right move
Frequently asked questions

Who opens a gold IRA in Bell County

Bell County had a Census population of 362,924 in 2020 and has continued growing. Killeen is the largest city and sits adjacent to Fort Cavazos, formerly known as Fort Hood until June 2023. Temple is the county's healthcare and commercial hub. Belton serves as the county seat. Harker Heights and Copperas Cove round out the primary residential communities.

Fort Cavazos is one of the largest active-duty U.S. Army installations in the world. The base employs tens of thousands of active-duty soldiers, which creates one of the highest concentrations of Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) participants in any Texas county. Separated and retired military personnel represent a primary source of rollover-eligible assets in Bell County.

9.9% of Bell County residents are 65 or older, compared to 13.4% statewide. The county's median age is 31.3 years versus 35.6 statewide. That gap reflects the active-duty population skewing younger, but it does not reduce the number of veterans and retirees managing substantial TSP or 401(k) balances after separation.

The median household income in Bell County is $58,932, compared to $78,476 statewide. Bell County sits $19,544 below the Texas median. That difference matters when evaluating gold IRA economics: fixed annual custodian and storage fees are a higher percentage drag on smaller balances. We are not financial advisors; consult a licensed advisor before making any retirement decisions.

Bell County, TX vs Texas statewide: key retirement demographics
Metric	Bell County, TX	Texas statewide
Median household income	$58,932	$78,476
Residents 65 and over	9.9%	13.4%
Households with retirement income	16.7%	19.2%
Total population (2020 Census)	362,924	N/A
Median age (years)	31.3	35.6

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census (population); American Community Survey 2020-2024, 5-Year Estimates for income, age, and household data, Bell County, Texas (FIPS 48027). Household income figures are in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars.

Retirement accounts in Bell County and how they roll into a gold IRA

Bell County's employer mix shapes the rollover landscape here more than in most Texas counties. The military population at Fort Cavazos, the healthcare workforce at Baylor Scott & White Health in Temple, and Killeen and Temple school district employees each follow different account structures. Below we cover each path. A direct rollover is the standard approach for all of them: no taxable event, no 60-day clock, no mandatory withholding.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) from military or federal service. Fort Cavazos is the dominant employer in Bell County. Active-duty soldiers cannot roll a TSP while still in service. After separation or retirement from the U.S. Army, a TSP balance can be rolled directly into a self-directed IRA.

The rollover is reported on IRS Form 1099-R with Code G for a direct rollover. No immediate federal tax applies. See our full guide to rolling a TSP into a gold IRA for the step-by-step process.

Private-sector 401(k) from a former employer. Temple and Killeen have significant private-sector employment in healthcare, retail, construction, and manufacturing. A 401(k) from any private-sector job you have already left is eligible for a direct rollover into an SDIRA. Funds go from the former employer's plan directly to the new custodian.

No taxable event occurs on a properly executed direct rollover. The mandatory 20% withholding that applies to indirect rollovers does not apply when the check is made payable to the new custodian, not to you.

Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS). Bell County is home to three major school districts: Killeen ISD, Temple ISD, and Belton ISD. All public school employees in these districts are covered by TRS, Texas's defined-benefit pension. A monthly TRS annuity already in payment cannot be rolled into a gold IRA.

If you separated from Killeen ISD, Temple ISD, or Belton ISD before retirement and request a refund of your own member contributions, that amount may be eligible for a rollover. Consult your tax advisor. See our guide to rolling a TRS account into a gold IRA.

Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS). Bell County employees are covered by TCDRS, established in 1967 for Texas county and district workers. TCDRS is a defined-benefit plan. An active monthly annuity cannot be rolled over. A refund of your own contributions upon separation may be eligible under specific conditions. Confirm with Bell County Human Resources and your tax advisor before acting.

Other Texas public-sector accounts. State agency employees in Bell County use ERS (Employees Retirement System of Texas). City of Killeen employees may participate in TMRS (Texas Municipal Retirement System). Each is a defined-benefit plan; the same limitations apply: ongoing annuity payments cannot be rolled, but a member contribution refund after separation may qualify. See the Texas Gold IRA Rollover Guide for a full list of eligible account types, including 403(b), 457(b), SEP IRA, and SIMPLE IRA.

Are there gold IRA companies or dealers in Bell County?

No gold IRA company or dealer operates a Bell County or Killeen-area office. Searches for "gold IRA companies near Killeen" or "gold IRA dealer Bell County" return national providers who serve all U.S. zip codes remotely. Your address in Killeen, Temple, Belton, or Harker Heights does not restrict which custodian or dealer you can use.

Gold IRAs are opened entirely online. You choose a custodian, sign documents electronically, and fund the account by direct rollover or trustee-to-trustee transfer. The custodian purchases IRS-approved metal from a dealer on your instruction. The dealer ships the metal directly to an IRS-approved depository. No in-person meeting or local office visit occurs at any stage of the process.

Harry’s Coins is a Texas editorial authority. We cover rules, rollover mechanics, and custodian information for Texas residents. We do not sell gold, operate a depository, or provide in-person service in Bell County.

Four checks help evaluate any national provider:

IRS nonbank trustee approval: The IRS publishes its list at irs.gov/retirement-plans/approved-nonbank-trustees-and-custodians. Verify the custodian appears there before signing anything.
BBB rating and complaint history: Look up both the dealer and the custodian separately at bbb.org. An A or A+ rating with accreditation is publicly verifiable. A high volume of unresolved complaints is a concrete warning sign.
Written fee schedule before funding: Setup, annual administration, storage, and transaction fees must each appear in writing before you transfer money. No exceptions.
Direct rollover only: Funds must travel from your plan to the new custodian directly. Never accept a check made out to you. That starts a 60-day clock and triggers 20% mandatory withholding on 401(k) distributions.

For a structured comparison of custodians and how to read their fee schedules, see our gold IRA custodians guide.

In-state storage and Texas taxes

The Texas Bullion Depository in Leander is approximately 65 miles from Killeen by road. It is the only state-administered and state-audited precious-metals storage facility in the United States. Lone Star Tangible Assets (LSTA) operates it as a vendor under IRS nonbank trustee approval.

For Bell County residents, that proximity makes this a genuinely local option by Texas standards. Bell County residents who want IRA metal held at a state-overseen Texas facility can request this depository through their SDIRA custodian.

The 65-mile distance does not change the logistics of IRA storage. The custodian coordinates metal shipment after purchase. The investor does not transport metal to Leander. The dealer ships IRS-approved metal directly to the depository under your SDIRA account name. Self-delivery of IRA-titled metal, at any point, constitutes a taxable distribution under federal law.

Self-storage at home, in a personal safe, or in a safe deposit box is prohibited everywhere in the U.S. The U.S. Tax Court confirmed this in McNulty v. Commissioner, 157 T.C. No. 10 (2021). In that case, home delivery of IRA gold coins triggered income tax and penalties on the full account value.

Texas has no state personal income tax. Article 8, Section 24 of the Texas Constitution requires a two-thirds supermajority in the Legislature and a statewide referendum before any personal income tax could be enacted.

For Bell County residents, every taxable gold IRA event, including RMDs that begin at age 73 under SECURE 2.0, is reported on federal Form 1099-R and taxed on federal Form 1040 only. No Texas state return applies to personal IRA income. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.

For the Texas Bullion Depository storage process in detail, see our guide to storing gold IRA metal at the Texas Bullion Depository. For the full income tax picture, see Texas has no state income tax: what it means for your gold IRA.

How a rollover actually works

A gold IRA rollover moves pretax funds from a qualified retirement account into a self-directed IRA holding physical precious metals. The most common path for Bell County residents is a direct rollover from a TSP after military separation from Fort Cavazos, or from a private-sector 401(k) from a former Killeen-area or Temple-area employer.

Open an SDIRA with an IRS-approved custodian. Choose a custodian from the IRS approved nonbank trustee list. Complete the application online. No in-person visit is required in Killeen, Temple, or anywhere in Bell County.
Request a direct rollover from your existing plan. Contact your TSP, 401(k) administrator, or IRA custodian. Request that funds go directly to the new SDIRA custodian. The check must be payable to the custodian, not to you. No 60-day clock begins. No 20% withholding applies to a properly executed direct rollover.
Select IRS-approved metals and authorize the purchase. Choose qualifying metals: gold bars at .995 fineness or higher, American Gold Eagles (a statutory IRA exception under IRC 408(m)(3)), American Gold Buffalos, or qualifying silver, platinum, or palladium products. The custodian executes the purchase with a dealer on your instruction.
Dealer ships metal to an IRS-approved depository. The metal travels from the dealer directly to the depository under your SDIRA account name. You never take personal possession of IRA-titled metal. The Texas Bullion Depository in Leander is one option; national depositories such as Delaware Depository and Brinks also qualify.

For the complete walkthrough, including timelines, form numbers, and what happens during RMDs, see the Texas Gold IRA Rollover Guide and the direct vs indirect rollover guide.

Worked example

David, 57, lives in Harker Heights in Bell County. He retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years stationed at Fort Cavazos and later worked a civilian defense-contractor job in Killeen for 9 years before the firm reorganized. He has a TSP from his military service and a former-employer 401(k) from his civilian job.

He decides to consolidate the 401(k) ($74,000) into a new SDIRA. He leaves the TSP in place for now, since TSP expense ratios are extremely low and he has not yet decided on timing. He requests a direct rollover. The plan sends a check payable to his chosen SDIRA custodian. Federal tax on the rollover: $0. Texas state tax: $0.

The custodian buys 10 American Gold Eagles and 20 ounces of .9999 fine gold bars from a dealer. The dealer ships to the Texas Bullion Depository in Leander, 65 miles away. David pays a $150 annual custodian fee and a $150 annual storage fee, totaling $300 per year on a $74,000 account. That is 0.41% annual fixed fee drag. Dealer markup at purchase is approximately 2% over spot, a one-time cost.

David's first RMD begins at age 73, taxed federally only. Keeping the account clean now protects it for his spouse and their children in the next generation. Consult a CPA or enrolled agent before acting. Sources: IRS Publication 590-B, IRC 408(m), IRS Topic 558.

Can you roll your account into a gold IRA? Eligibility checker

Most retirement money can move into a gold IRA once it is an eligible rollover distribution. Pick your account and situation for a general answer. Always confirm the specifics with your plan administrator or custodian.

Account type Your situation

General guidance only, not tax or financial advice. Eligibility depends on your specific plan document and IRS rules; confirm with your plan administrator and a tax advisor. A direct trustee-to-trustee transfer avoids the 60-day rule and 20% withholding.

Picking a company that explains every fee up front is the first step. Get the free gold IRA company checklist.

Fee drag and account size

Fixed annual fees in a gold IRA include the SDIRA custodian fee and the depository storage fee. Published ranges for custodian fees run $150 to $300 per year. Storage fees typically run $150 to $250 per year. A midpoint of $400 per year in combined fixed fees is a reasonable working estimate based on published schedules from Equity Trust, STRATA Trust, and GoldStar Trust (checked June 2026).

Fixed costs hit smaller accounts harder. On a $30,000 account, $400 per year equals a 1.33% annual drag before any dealer markup. On a $100,000 account, the same $400 equals 0.40%. On a $250,000 account it drops to 0.16%. Bell County's median household income sits roughly $19,500 below the Texas median, which means more residents may have lower rollover balances where fixed fees matter most.

Bar chart showing annual gold IRA fee drag as a percentage of account balance at five levels: 1.33 percent on a $30,000 account, 0.67 percent on $60,000, 0.40 percent on $100,000, 0.16 percent on $250,000, and 0.08 percent on $500,000, based on $400 in combined annual custodian and storage fees. — Annual gold IRA fee drag by account balance, based on $400 per year in combined custodian and storage fees (midpoint of published ranges from Equity Trust, STRATA Trust, GoldStar Trust, checked June 2026). Dealer markups at purchase are separate and not included. Fixed fees hit smaller accounts harder: a $30,000 account faces 1.33% annual drag vs 0.16% on $250,000.

Below $25,000, the fee drag exceeds 1.6% per year on fixed fees alone. Most gold IRA-focused providers require $25,000 to $50,000 as an informal minimum. Augusta Precious Metals recommends $50,000 or more in rollover-eligible assets as a starting point for their process. That threshold is worth comparing against your specific rollover balance before you begin.

When a gold IRA is not the right move for a Bell County saver

Cases where the economics work against you:

Small account balance. On a $10,000 account, $300 to $400 in annual fixed fees equals 3% to 4% annual drag before dealer markup. The Bell County median household income is well below the Texas median. More residents may carry lower rollover balances where fixed fee math is harder to justify.

Active-duty status at Fort Cavazos. Active-duty soldiers cannot roll a TSP while still in service. Initiating a TSP rollover before separation triggers a taxable distribution and penalties. The rollover window opens after official separation or retirement. Acting before that date creates a problem that cannot easily be reversed.

Short time horizon. Dealer markups on the buy side and sell side compress the return window. Gold IRAs suit long-hold positions inside a broader retirement strategy. If you plan to withdraw within three to five years, the fee drag and markup math works against you on both sides.

Proof coin or numismatic upsells. Some dealers push proof coin sets with premiums of 30% to 100% over spot price. That markup is permanent drag on the account value. Standard bullion products with low markups over spot are the better choice for IRA-focused buyers. See our guide to the numismatic coin upsell and how it works.

Early withdrawal before age 59 and a half. A 10% federal penalty applies to most early IRA distributions under IRS Topic 558. Texas has no state income tax, so there is no second layer, but the federal 10% still applies. On a $50,000 early withdrawal, that penalty is $5,000 before ordinary income tax is calculated.

A TRS annuity already in payment. If you are currently receiving a monthly TRS defined-benefit pension from Killeen ISD, Temple ISD, or Belton ISD service, that income stream cannot be rolled into a gold IRA. Only a refund of your own member contributions after early separation may be eligible, and only under specific conditions. Consult your tax advisor before acting.

Frequently asked questions

Are there gold IRA companies or dealers in Bell County or Killeen?

No. There are no gold IRA companies, custodians, or dealers with a Bell County, Killeen, Temple, or Belton office. National providers serve all U.S. residents remotely. No local office visit is required at any stage of opening or managing a gold IRA.

Can a retired soldier from Fort Cavazos roll a TSP into a gold IRA?

Yes, after official separation or retirement from the U.S. Army or federal service. Active-duty soldiers cannot roll a TSP while still serving. After separation, the TSP can be rolled to a self-directed IRA via direct rollover. Form 1099-R reports the transfer with Code G. No immediate federal or Texas state tax applies on a properly executed direct rollover. See our TSP to gold IRA guide for the full process.

Does Texas tax gold IRA distributions for Bell County residents?

No. Texas has no state personal income tax. Gold IRA distributions taken by a Bell County resident, including RMDs starting at age 73, are taxed by the federal government only. There is no Texas state income tax return for personal IRA income and no Texas withholding on Form 1099-R. Federal rates apply based on the distribution amount and your federal tax bracket. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.

How close is the Texas Bullion Depository to Killeen and Fort Cavazos?

The Texas Bullion Depository in Leander is approximately 65 miles from Killeen by road. Bell County residents are closer to this state-operated depository than most Texas counties we cover. You do not need to travel there. The custodian arranges metal shipment from dealer to depository. Self-delivery of IRA-titled metal constitutes a taxable distribution under federal law, as confirmed in McNulty v. Commissioner (2021).

Can I roll my TRS pension from Killeen ISD or Temple ISD into a gold IRA?

A monthly TRS defined-benefit pension you are already receiving cannot be rolled into a gold IRA. If you separated from Killeen ISD, Temple ISD, or Belton ISD before retirement and request a refund of your own member contributions, that amount may be eligible for a rollover. Verify your eligibility directly with TRS and consult your tax advisor before proceeding. See our TRS to gold IRA guide.

What about a TCDRS account from Bell County employment?

Bell County employees participate in TCDRS (Texas County and District Retirement System). TCDRS is a defined-benefit plan. An active TCDRS monthly annuity cannot be rolled into a gold IRA. If you separated from Bell County employment and request a refund of your own contributions, that amount may be eligible for a rollover under specific conditions. Confirm eligibility with TCDRS and your tax advisor before acting.

What is the minimum balance to open a gold IRA?

There is no IRS-mandated minimum. In practice, most custodians and dealers set informal minimums of $25,000 to $50,000. Below $25,000, fixed annual fees of approximately $400 represent more than 1.6% annual drag. Most gold IRA-focused providers look for $50,000 or more in rollover-eligible assets. This threshold is worth checking against your specific TSP or 401(k) balance before beginning.

What metals can I hold in a gold IRA?

Under IRC Section 408(m)(3), a self-directed IRA may hold gold at .995 fineness or higher, silver at .999 or higher, platinum at .9995, and palladium at .9995. The American Gold Eagle is a statutory exception and is IRA-eligible despite its .9167 fineness. Proof Eagles in original mint packaging with a certificate of authenticity also qualify. South African Krugerrands (.9167 gold, no statutory exception) are not IRA-eligible. Numismatic or graded collectible coins are also prohibited.

Ready to compare your options?

If you have at least $50,000 in a rollover-eligible account and want a structured starting point, Augusta Precious Metals publishes a free gold IRA checklist covering rollover eligibility through depository selection. We earn a commission if you open an account, at no cost to you. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Consult a licensed tax or financial advisor before making any retirement decisions.

Sources

U.S. Census Bureau. 2020 Decennial Census: Bell County, Texas (FIPS 48027). Total population. data.census.gov. Checked June 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 2020-2024, 5-Year Estimates: Bell County, Texas (FIPS 48027). Median household income, age 65+ share, households with retirement income, median age. data.census.gov. Checked June 2026.
Internal Revenue Code Section 408(m). Collectibles prohibition and bullion/coin exceptions for IRAs. Office of the Law Revision Counsel. uscode.house.gov. Checked June 2026.
Internal Revenue Service. Publication 590-A: Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs).irs.gov/publications/p590a. Checked June 2026.
Internal Revenue Service. Publication 590-B: Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs).irs.gov/publications/p590b. Checked June 2026.
Internal Revenue Service. Topic No. 558: Additional Tax on Early Distributions from Retirement Plans. 10% early withdrawal penalty. irs.gov/taxtopics/tc558. Checked June 2026.
Internal Revenue Service. Approved Nonbank Trustees and Custodians. Includes Lone Star Tangible Assets (LSTA). irs.gov/retirement-plans. Checked June 2026.
McNulty v. Commissioner, 157 T.C. No. 10 (2021). Home-storage gold IRA ruling. U.S. Tax Court. ustaxcourt.gov. Checked June 2026.
Texas Bullion Depository. IRA Storage Services. LSTA IRS nonbank trustee approval; IRA custodian coordination; Leander, Texas location. texasbulliondepository.gov. Checked June 2026.
Office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Texas Taxes overview. No state personal income tax confirmed. comptroller.texas.gov/taxes. Checked June 2026.
Texas Constitution, Article 8, Section 24 (as amended by Proposition 4, November 2019). State personal income tax prohibition. statutes.capitol.texas.gov. Checked June 2026.
Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Member benefits and contribution refund information. TRS defined-benefit pension rules; eligibility for rollover of member contributions. trs.texas.gov. Checked June 2026.
Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS). Member withdrawal and rollover information. Bell County employee coverage; lump-sum refund eligibility. tcdrs.org. Checked June 2026.
Thrift Savings Plan. Rollover information for separated and retired federal employees and military members. TSP to SDIRA direct rollover mechanics. tsp.gov. Checked June 2026.
Equity Trust Company, STRATA Trust Company, GoldStar Trust Company. Published custodian fee schedules. Used to estimate the $400 annual combined fee midpoint for fee drag calculations. Checked June 2026.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. Renaming of Fort Hood to Fort Cavazos, effective June 2023. congress.gov. Checked June 2026.

By the Harry’s Coins Editorial team. Last reviewed June 2026.