Rollover comparison
Vanguard → Empower 401(k) rollover
If you're rolling a 401(k) FROM Vanguard TO Empower, 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 | Vanguard | Empower |
|---|---|---|
| ACATS eligibility | ACATS (electronic) eligible — typical processing 3–5 business days | Paper-based transfers only — typical processing 10–14 business days |
| Processing time | 5-7 business days (ACATS); 2-3 weeks for paper | 10-14 business days (paper-based) |
| Transfer form | Move money in — Direct rollover (online wizard) | Direct Rollover request (plan-administrator form, varies by employer) |
| Customer-service phone | 1-800-523-1188 (Personal Investor) / 1-800-523-1036 (Small Business 401(k)) | 1-855-756-4738 (former Empower Retirement); 1-800-345-2345 (Prudential-acquired plans) |
| Customer-service hours | Mon-Fri 8am-8pm ET | Mon-Fri 8am-10pm ET, Sat 9am-5:30pm ET |
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.
Known pitfalls at Empower
Warning: Empower acquired Prudential's full-service retirement business in 2022 and MassMutual's in 2021 — if your old plan was at either, it's now on the Empower platform and the login is at empower-retirement.com (not the Prudential or MassMutual portal).
Warning: Empower defaults to mailing a paper check to YOU unless you specifically request a 'direct rollover, custodian-to-custodian wire'. If you accept a check made out to you, 20% is mandatorily withheld and you have 60 days to deposit the gross amount (the 20% comes out of your pocket until tax-time refund).
Warning: Some Empower plans require your former employer to countersign the rollover request — this can add 5-7 days if HR is slow. Call HR before you call Empower so they have your request on file.
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This comparison is informational only — it documents the procedural mechanics of rolling over a 401(k) between Vanguard and Empower. 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.