Quick answer
CamaPlan is a self-directed IRA administrator that publishes one of the few dedicated Precious Metals Fee Schedules in the industry.
Founded in Ambler, Pennsylvania in 2003, CamaPlan holds a BBB A+ rating and charges no annual fee on accounts until assets are purchased. Its published metals fee schedule gives cost-conscious investors a rare ability to compare costs before any sales call. If you have $50,000 or more in retirement savings and prefer a full-service approach over a self-directed one, the Augusta comparison section below covers the key differences.
Most self-directed IRA administrators make you request a fee quote before sharing their fee schedules. CamaPlan does things differently: its Precious Metals Fee Schedule lives on a public page at camaplan.com/resources/precious-metals-fee-schedule/. For investors comparison-shopping flat-fee administrators, that one document changes the research process considerably. This review covers what that schedule contains based on currently available sources, how CamaPlan’s legal structure works, and who the company actually serves well.
Who Founded CamaPlan
Carl Fischer and Maggie Polisano founded CamaPlan in Ambler, Pennsylvania with a positioning they state openly: the company is run “for investors, by investors.” Both carry professional credentials in trust services and IRA administration (industry-reported as Certified Trust Specialist and Certified IRA Services Professional designations). That background shapes how the company operates. CamaPlan targets investors who manage their own retirement strategies and want a platform that handles IRS compliance and paperwork without directing their investment decisions.
The Ambler headquarters sits at 122 E Butler Ave Ste 100, Ambler, PA 19002. CamaPlan operates nationally, serving clients across all 50 states, which means your state of residence does not restrict account eligibility.
The “for investors, by investors” framing carries operational meaning. Rather than guiding clients toward specific metal products or managing the entire purchase process, CamaPlan positions itself as a platform that clears the compliance path and gets out of the way. Whether that model fits you depends almost entirely on how much guidance you want during the purchase process.
Custodian or Administrator: What CamaPlan Actually Is
Why this distinction matters before you open an account
An IRA custodian is a financial institution (typically a bank, trust company, or non-bank regulated entity) that holds your IRA assets and reports to the IRS. An administrator handles the paperwork, compliance workflow, and client service but works through a separate custodian to hold assets. These two roles carry different regulatory oversight and different liability structures. The distinction affects which entity is ultimately responsible for your account.
Based on publicly available review sources, CamaPlan operates as a self-directed IRA administrator rather than a state-chartered trust company custodian. In this structure, a separate IRS-approved custodian holds the assets on your behalf while CamaPlan manages day-to-day account service. This is a common and fully legal structure in the self-directed IRA market, but the practical implication is clear: there is an additional party involved in your account that you should identify before signing.
To verify the current regulatory structure, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities maintains records of trust companies and registered financial entities chartered in the state. CamaPlan’s team can confirm which IRS-approved custodian currently holds assets on their accounts. Ask that question directly before opening. For the full breakdown of how IRS oversight and state regulation apply to different types of IRA custodians, see our guide on who regulates gold IRA custodians.
The Precious Metals Fee Schedule: The Transparency Differentiator
Most self-directed IRA administrators publish a general fee schedule that treats all assets the same. Precious metals storage, insurance, and transaction costs often live in footnotes or are available only after a sales conversation. CamaPlan takes a different approach by publishing a dedicated Precious Metals Fee Schedule.
Because CamaPlan’s own website was inaccessible for direct verification at the time this review was written (returning server errors), the fee figures below are drawn from third-party review publications. Treat them as a working reference. Pull the current official schedule from camaplan.com/resources/precious-metals-fee-schedule/ before making any account decision, since fee schedules change without public notice.
The no-fee-until-purchase rule is genuine. An account funded with cash only (no assets yet purchased) carries no annual or maintenance fee. This matters for investors in the accumulation phase who want to establish the IRA structure before committing to a specific metals purchase.
| Fee type | Reported amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual maintenance (cash-only account) | $0 | Until first asset purchase |
| Annual maintenance (assets held) | $160 min / $280 max | Value-based, industry-reported |
| Metals storage and insurance | ~0.15% of metals value per year | Calculated each January, industry-reported |
| Credit card payment surcharge | 3.5% | On fees paid by card, industry-reported |
| Account opening fee | Not publicly disclosed | Verify directly with CamaPlan |
| Purchase transaction fees | Not publicly disclosed | Verify at camaplan.com fee schedule |
The storage math is straightforward. On a $100,000 precious metals position, the annual storage and insurance component runs approximately $150 at 0.15% of asset value. Add the annual maintenance band of $160 to $280 and the total annual cost at that balance level falls in a reported range of roughly $310 to $430 per year, before any transaction fees. Some third-party reviewers have described CamaPlan’s maintenance fee as higher than the industry standard for comparable administrators. Whether that assessment holds for your specific situation depends on what services other administrators bundle into their fees.
What sets CamaPlan apart is not necessarily fee level but fee transparency. Publishing a metals-specific schedule means you can run the math before picking up the phone. Most competitors do not. Our full SDIRA custodian comparison for precious metals investors puts these numbers alongside other administrators so you can check the calculation against alternatives.
Precious Metals Eligible for a CamaPlan IRA
CamaPlan supports precious metals as one of several alternative asset classes within its self-directed IRA accounts. The IRS sets the eligibility rules; CamaPlan does not determine which metals qualify. IRS Publication 590-B and the rules established under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 define the fineness requirements:
- Gold: 99.5% minimum fineness. Approved coins include the American Gold Eagle, American Gold Buffalo, and Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.
- Silver: 99.9% minimum fineness. The American Silver Eagle qualifies; so does the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf.
- Platinum: 99.95% minimum fineness.
- Palladium: 99.95% minimum fineness.
Proof coins and numismatic (collector) coins occupy a gray zone. Most do not meet the fineness and approved-coin requirements for IRA eligibility. Do not assume a coin qualifies because a dealer describes it as “gold” or “silver.” Confirm IRS eligibility before purchasing for an IRA, and consult your tax advisor on any coin product you are unsure about.
Storage is mandatory at an IRS-approved depository. Holding IRA metals at home, in a personal safe, or in any facility you personally control is prohibited under IRS rules and constitutes a distribution of the account, triggering ordinary income tax and a potential 10% early withdrawal penalty for investors under 59½. This rule applies regardless of which administrator manages your account. IRS Publication 590-B covers the distribution and prohibited-transaction rules in full.
CamaPlan’s public materials describe directing investors to their chosen IRS-approved storage facility. Specific depository names were not publicly listed in the sources reviewed at the time of writing. Ask CamaPlan directly for their current approved storage partners, their fee structures, and whether they offer options for segregated or allocated storage.
How the Account Opening Process Works
The standard process for opening a CamaPlan precious metals IRA follows the same sequence used by most self-directed IRA administrators:
- Open a self-directed IRA with CamaPlan. Available account types include Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and Inherited IRA.
- Fund the account through a cash contribution, a direct rollover from a 401(k) or 403(b), or a trustee-to-trustee transfer from an existing IRA. A direct rollover avoids the 60-day window and withholding requirements that apply to indirect rollovers.
- Select a precious metals dealer. CamaPlan, as an administrator, does not source metals directly. You choose the dealer; the purchase runs through your IRA.
- Choose specific metals products that meet IRS fineness requirements for IRA eligibility.
- Place the purchase order through the IRA account, not through personal funds.
- Metals ship directly from the dealer to your chosen IRS-approved depository for storage.
Third-party review sources estimate the full process at approximately 15 days from account opening to metals in storage. Rollovers from employer plans typically take longer depending on the releasing plan administrator’s processing time. Tax implications vary by account type, source account, and individual situation. Consult your tax advisor before initiating any rollover. Nothing on this page constitutes tax or financial advice.
Pros and Cons
Strengths
- Published Precious Metals Fee Schedule (rare in this market)
- BBB A+ accreditation since 2012
- No annual fee on cash-only accounts
- Founded and run by credentialed IRA professionals
- Serves all 50 states
- Broad alternative asset menu beyond metals
Limitations
- Annual fees ($160-$280, industry-reported) described as above market by some reviewers
- Operates as administrator, not a direct trust company custodian
- Depository partners not publicly named in available sources
- 3.5% surcharge on credit card payments
- Customer review scores mixed (3.5/5 on BBB and Google per third-party sources)
- Transaction fees for metals purchases not publicly listed
Who CamaPlan Serves Well
Good fit if you are:
- A DIY investor who selects your own metals and dealers
- Comparison-shopping flat-fee administrators by cost
- Opening an account before you are ready to purchase
- Holding multiple alternative assets (metals plus real estate or private lending)
- Comfortable navigating your own investment decisions without specialist guidance
Not the right fit if you want:
- Full-service metals selection and dealer coordination
- Salaried, non-commissioned specialists guiding the purchase process
- A structured educational process before any purchase decision
- A company with thousands of publicly verifiable customer reviews
- Full-service IRA setup where the provider handles most of the paperwork
Investors with $50,000 or more: a full-service alternative worth comparing
If you have $50,000 or more in an existing retirement account and prefer structured specialist support over a self-directed model, Augusta Precious Metals takes a different approach. Augusta’s salaried (non-commissioned) educators walk investors through IRS eligibility rules, fee structures, and storage requirements before any purchase decision is made. The company holds a BBB A+ rating with zero complaints and has been named Money Magazine’s Best Overall Gold IRA Company from 2022 through 2026. Consult a licensed financial advisor before making any rollover decision.
Frequently Asked Questions about CamaPlan
Is CamaPlan a custodian or an administrator?
Based on publicly available review sources, CamaPlan operates as a self-directed IRA administrator rather than a state-chartered trust company custodian. In this model, a separate IRS-approved custodian holds your IRA assets, while CamaPlan manages the day-to-day service, paperwork, and compliance. Confirm the identity of the current custodian directly with CamaPlan before opening an account. The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities maintains public records of trust companies and regulated financial entities in the state. Our guide on who regulates gold IRA custodians explains the full regulatory framework.
What precious metals can I hold in a CamaPlan IRA?
IRS-approved metals for IRA inclusion include gold (99.5%+ fineness), silver (99.9%+), platinum (99.95%+), and palladium (99.95%+). Specific approved coins include the American Gold Eagle, American Gold Buffalo, and Canadian Gold Maple Leaf for gold; the American Silver Eagle for silver. Most proof and numismatic (collector) coins do not qualify. The rules governing eligible metals are detailed in IRS Publication 590-B. Consult your tax advisor if you are unsure whether a specific product qualifies.
Does CamaPlan require a minimum investment?
No minimum investment amount appears in publicly available sources or in CamaPlan’s published fee schedule references. The company’s fee structure, as industry-reported, charges no annual fee on accounts holding only cash (no assets purchased), which implies accounts can be opened before any investment commitment. Contact CamaPlan directly at (215) 283-2868 to confirm current account minimums before opening.
Where are precious metals stored in a CamaPlan IRA?
IRS regulations require all IRA precious metals to be held in an IRS-approved depository facility. Metals cannot be stored at home, in a personal safe, or in any facility you control. Doing so triggers an immediate taxable distribution of the assets, plus a potential 10% early withdrawal penalty for investors under 59½. CamaPlan directs clients to their chosen approved depository. Specific depository partnerships were not publicly listed in the sources reviewed; ask CamaPlan directly for current approved storage partners and their respective fee structures.
How does the no-annual-fee structure work on empty accounts?
CamaPlan’s fee model, as industry-reported from third-party review sources, charges no annual maintenance fee on accounts that hold only cash and have not yet purchased any assets. Once you purchase an asset (precious metals, real estate, or another alternative investment), annual maintenance fees apply in the reported $160 to $280 range depending on account value, plus a separate storage and insurance component for metals calculated as a percentage of metals value. Check camaplan.com/resources/precious-metals-fee-schedule/ for current figures before opening an account.
What does CamaPlan’s Precious Metals Fee Schedule actually contain?
The published schedule at camaplan.com/resources/precious-metals-fee-schedule/ details fees specific to precious metals accounts within the CamaPlan self-directed IRA framework. Based on third-party review sources, this includes the annual maintenance fee band, a storage and insurance component calculated as a percentage of metals value per year, and details on payment processing. The schedule is publicly accessible, which makes it possible to compare costs before speaking with any sales representative. Pull the current official document for exact figures, as schedules change.
Can I roll over a 401(k) into a CamaPlan gold IRA?
Yes. CamaPlan supports 401(k)-to-IRA rollovers as well as direct IRA-to-IRA transfers. A direct trustee-to-trustee rollover moves funds directly from your current plan to the new IRA without passing through your hands, which avoids the 60-day redeposit window and the 20% withholding that applies to indirect rollovers from employer plans. An indirect rollover gives you 60 days to deposit the full distribution amount (including any amount withheld by the plan) into the new IRA; failure to complete the deposit results in a taxable distribution. Consult your tax advisor before initiating any rollover. Nothing in this review constitutes tax or financial advice.
How is CamaPlan regulated?
CamaPlan is an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau (A+ rating) based in Ambler, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities oversees trust companies and registered financial entities chartered in the state. IRA administrators that operate without a trust company charter do not hold the same state-chartered custodial license as trust companies; their custodial function is delegated to a separately regulated entity. The IRS also plays a role: IRA custodians must be IRS-approved, and plan administrators must follow IRC Section 408 requirements. Our guide on gold IRA custodian regulation covers the complete oversight framework across state and federal levels.
What other assets can I hold alongside precious metals in a CamaPlan SDIRA?
CamaPlan’s self-directed IRA structure supports a broad range of alternative assets beyond precious metals. Industry-reported eligible asset classes include real estate, mortgage notes, private lending, tax lien certificates, and private equity. All transactions must flow through the IRA account rather than through personal funds to preserve the account’s tax status. Using personal funds to fund IRA investments directly (a “self-dealing” arrangement) is a prohibited transaction under IRS rules and can disqualify the entire IRA, resulting in full taxation of the account balance in the year of the violation. See IRS Publication 590-A for prohibited transaction rules.
How does a CamaPlan precious metals IRA compare to a full-service gold IRA company?
CamaPlan is an administrator: it handles compliance infrastructure but does not source metals, arrange dealer relationships, or provide guidance on what to buy or when. Full-service gold IRA companies integrate metals selection guidance, direct dealer relationships, and structured educational processes into their service model. The tradeoff is real. Full-service companies typically have minimum account sizes (often industry-reported at $50,000 or more) and they guide the entire process. A self-directed administrator fits investors who already know what they want to purchase and prefer to manage the selection themselves. Our full SDIRA custodian comparison for precious metals puts these two models side by side with costs and capabilities across the market.
Sources and Methodology
This review draws on publicly available sources. Fee figures attributed to CamaPlan are sourced from third-party review publications, not from CamaPlan’s own website (which returned server errors at time of writing). Figures should be treated as industry-reported and verified against current official documentation at camaplan.com before any account decision.
- ↗ CamaPlan Precious Metals Fee Schedule (camaplan.com)
- ↗ Better Business Bureau: CamaPlan profile (BBB.org)
- ↗ IRS Publication 590-A: Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements
- ↗ IRS Publication 590-B: Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements
- ↗ IRS FAQs: Investments within an IRA
- ↗ FINRA Investor Alert: Precious Metals Fraud
- ↗ SEC investor.gov: Investor Bulletins
- ↗ Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities
Last updated: 2026-07-20. Past performance data cited in this review is not a guarantee of future results. Consult a licensed financial advisor before making retirement account decisions. Goldiew is not a registered investment advisor.