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

Fidelity vs Vanguard 401(k) rollover comparison
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 liquidate or transfer in-kind. For mutual funds, in-kind only works if the destination custodian supports the same funds; otherwise it's liquidate + cash transfer (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.

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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.