Besides investing in precious metals, you can also withdraw your bullion and take direct physical possession of them. If you take a distribution before age 59 ½, you will have to pay tax and early distribution penalties. The type of metals you receive at distribution depends on how you select to store your metals (segregated or non-segregated). Segregated Storage – the exact metal you purchased is what you will receive if you sell them or do an in-kind distribution.
Non-segregated Storage – When you sell the metals or complete an in-kind distribution, you may receive “like” metals, which are not the exact metals you purchased. For example, you may purchase 2018 silver American Eagles. When you take a distribution, you may receive different 2018 silver American Eagles or silver American Eagles from a different year.