Financial Glossary (English–Spanish)

An account designed to save for retirement with tax advantages, such as an IRA or 401(k).

An individual retirement account where contributions may be deductible and funds grow tax-deferred.

A retirement account where contributions are made after-tax and qualified withdrawals are tax-free.

An employer-sponsored retirement plan where employees contribute pre-tax money.

Moving funds from one retirement account to another without paying taxes, typically from a 401(k) to an IRA.

Moving funds directly between institutions without the account holder receiving the money. The safest way to do a rollover.

A person designated to receive the assets of an account or policy after the account holder's death.

A mandatory withdrawal that must be taken from certain retirement accounts starting at a specific age.

A number issued by the IRS for people who need to file taxes but are not eligible for a Social Security number.

A number issued by the Social Security Administration used for taxes, employment, and benefits.

A person with a legal obligation to act in the client's best interest. Always ask if your advisor acts as a fiduciary.

The current price of a precious metal on the international market.

The additional amount a seller charges over the spot price of a precious metal.

The difference between the buy price and the sell price of an asset.

Pure gold with 99.9% gold content. Also known as 24-karat gold.

A block of precious metal of specific weight and purity, produced by certified refineries.

A type of IRA that allows investing in alternative assets, including physical precious metals.

A financial institution that administers a retirement account and holds the assets.

A facility approved to store precious metals belonging to a self-directed IRA.

A legal document that specifies how to distribute assets after death. Goes through probate.

A trust that transfers assets while the owner is alive. Avoids probate if assets are properly transferred.

A court process that validates a will and distributes assets. Can be lengthy, costly, and public.

A document that authorizes another person to act on your behalf in financial or health matters.

A person or institution that manages a trust for the benefit of beneficiaries.

A strategy of spreading investments across different types of assets to reduce risk.

The ease with which an asset can be converted to cash without significant loss of value.

A measure of how much an asset's price fluctuates over a period of time.

The original amount invested, distinct from gains or losses.

Taxes that are postponed until money is withdrawn from a retirement account.

A 10% penalty for withdrawing funds from a retirement account before age 59½.

The period that must pass before employer contributions become the employee's property.

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