Rollover comparison
Fidelity → Vanguard 401(k) rollover
If you're rolling a 401(k) FROM Fidelity TO Vanguard, here are the practical mechanics: what forms you'll fill out, how long it takes, whether ACATS is supported, and what specific gotchas to watch for at each custodian. This page documents the process; it does not recommend one custodian over the other.
Side-by-side
| Field | Fidelity | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| ACATS eligibility | ACATS (electronic) eligible — typical processing 3–5 business days | ACATS (electronic) eligible — typical processing 3–5 business days |
| Processing time | 3-5 business days (ACATS); 7-10 days for paper | 5-7 business days (ACATS); 2-3 weeks for paper |
| Transfer form | Transfer of Assets (TOA) request — initiated at receiving institution | Move money in — Direct rollover (online wizard) |
| Customer-service phone | 1-800-343-3548 | 1-800-523-1188 (Personal Investor) / 1-800-523-1036 (Small Business 401(k)) |
| Customer-service hours | Mon-Fri 7am-11pm ET, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm ET | Mon-Fri 8am-8pm ET |
Known pitfalls at Fidelity
Warning: Fidelity defaults to mailing a paper check if you initiate the transfer FROM their side — call the receiving custodian first to initiate an ACATS pull instead.
Warning: If you have employer stock in the 401(k) (NUA-eligible), do NOT roll it directly — separate the basis cost first or you lose the NUA tax treatment forever.
Warning: Fidelity will ask whether to sell your holdings and transfer cash, OR move them as-is (the industry term is "in-kind"). Moving as-is only works if the destination custodian supports the same funds; otherwise it sells your holdings and transfers cash (the default).
Known pitfalls at Vanguard
Warning: Vanguard's outbound-transfer form is at 'Profile & account settings → Move money out → To another firm'. It's easy to miss — they bury it deeper than other custodians.
Warning: If your 401(k) is at Vanguard Retirement Plan Services (employer plan), the path is different — log into Vanguard.com/retirementplans, not my.vanguard.com.
Warning: Vanguard requires a Medallion Signature Guarantee for transfers over $100K (NOT a notary — a Medallion stamp, typically from a bank you have a relationship with). Get this in person before you start; finding a Medallion provider can take a couple days.
Get the full plan
Personalized for your exact situation
This comparison documents the process at each custodian. Your personalized plan adds your age, balance band, and distribution date — step-by-step instructions for YOUR rollover, day-by-day deadline timeline, Roth-conversion tax modeling, and a downloadable PDF + Word doc. $49, 30-day money-back.
Start my free previewFrequently asked questions
- How long does a Fidelity to Vanguard 401(k) rollover take?
- Both Fidelity and Vanguard support ACATS electronic transfers. Initiate the transfer from the Vanguard side (not Fidelity) to trigger an ACATS pull — assets typically arrive in 3–7 business days. Add 1–3 days for the destination to process and invest. Total: approximately 5–10 business days from the date you submit the transfer request.
- Do I call Fidelity or Vanguard first to start the rollover?
- Call or log in to Vanguard first. For ACATS-eligible transfers, the receiving institution initiates the pull — Vanguard sends a request to Fidelity electronically, and Fidelity releases the assets. Starting at the destination is faster and avoids Fidelity defaulting to mailing a check.
- Will I owe taxes when rolling over from Fidelity to Vanguard?
- A direct trustee-to-trustee rollover from a traditional 401(k) to a traditional IRA or new 401(k) is NOT a taxable event — provided funds move custodian-to-custodian and are never paid to you personally. No federal or state income tax, no 10% early-withdrawal penalty. If you're rolling into a Roth IRA (conversion), the pre-tax balance does become taxable income for the year of conversion — that's a deliberate tax election, not a mistake. Request "direct rollover" language explicitly with Fidelity so the 1099-R is coded Box 7 = G (direct rollover) rather than Box 7 = 1 or 2 (distribution), which would incorrectly trigger withholding and IRS scrutiny.
- Does Fidelity charge a fee to roll over my 401(k)?
- Most employer 401(k) plans administered by Fidelity do not charge an outbound rollover fee, but some employer plan documents do include a distribution or processing fee ($25–$75 is common). Check your Summary Plan Description (the document your former employer sent when you joined the plan) — the fee schedule is in there — or ask the Fidelity rep when you call (1-800-343-3548). Fidelity may also liquidate any holdings that can't transfer in-kind before sending, so you could face a brief period out of the market during the transfer.
- What's the 60-day rule for a Fidelity to Vanguard rollover?
- If you received a check made out to you (an indirect rollover), you have exactly 60 calendar days from the date of distribution to deposit the full gross amount — including the 20% the custodian withheld — into a qualifying retirement account. If you initiate a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer instead (the recommended path), the 60-day clock does not apply because you never receive the funds personally. For direct transfers, initiate immediately — Fidelity's processing time is 3-5 business days (ACATS); 7-10 days for paper, which can consume a significant portion of your window if you wait.
- Can I roll my Fidelity 401(k) into a Vanguard IRA directly?
- Yes — a direct rollover from a Fidelity 401(k) to a Vanguard traditional IRA is fully legal under IRC §402(c). Vanguard supports ACATS, so the cleanest path is to open the IRA at Vanguard first, then have Vanguard initiate an ACATS pull from Fidelity. The one exception: if your Fidelity 401(k) contains employer stock with significant appreciation, review Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) tax treatment with a CPA before rolling — NUA elections must be made at the time of distribution and cannot be undone.
Related
Fidelity info verified 2026-05-15 · Vanguard info verified 2026-05-15. Spot a change? Tell us.
This comparison is informational only — it documents the procedural mechanics of rolling over a 401(k) between Fidelity and Vanguard. nesthelm is not an investment adviser or broker-dealer; we do not recommend either custodian over the other. Consult a CPA or licensed financial advisor for advice on your specific situation.