Rollover comparison
T. Rowe Price → Fidelity 401(k) rollover
If you're rolling a 401(k) FROM T. Rowe Price TO Fidelity, 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 | T. Rowe Price | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
| ACATS eligibility | ACATS (electronic) eligible — typical processing 3–5 business days | ACATS (electronic) eligible — typical processing 3–5 business days |
| Processing time | 5-7 business days (ACATS if available); 10-14 days for paper | 3-5 business days (ACATS); 7-10 days for paper |
| Transfer form | 401(k) Distribution / Rollover Election (online or form) | Transfer of Assets (TOA) request — initiated at receiving institution |
| Customer-service phone | 1-800-922-9945 (Retirement Plan Services); 1-800-225-5132 (Personal Investor) | 1-800-343-3548 |
| Customer-service hours | Mon-Fri 7am-10pm ET | Mon-Fri 7am-11pm ET, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm ET |
Known pitfalls at T. Rowe Price
Warning: Two different sides of T. Rowe Price — 'Retirement Plan Services' (employer 401(k)) and 'Personal Investor' (brokerage / IRA). The phone numbers and forms are DIFFERENT. Find your account on your statement to know which side you're on.
Warning: T. Rowe Price will often let you complete the rollover entirely online if your destination custodian is on their preferred network (Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab, E*TRADE). Try the online wizard first — saves a week vs paper.
Warning: If you have employer match still vesting at the time of distribution, T. Rowe will forfeit the unvested portion. Confirm your vested balance in the participant portal BEFORE you initiate — sometimes waiting a few weeks vests another tranche.
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).
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This comparison is informational only — it documents the procedural mechanics of rolling over a 401(k) between T. Rowe Price and Fidelity. 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.