Rollover comparison
Vanguard → Fidelity 401(k) rollover
If you're rolling a 401(k) FROM Vanguard 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 | Vanguard | 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); 2-3 weeks for paper | 3-5 business days (ACATS); 7-10 days for paper |
| Transfer form | Move money in — Direct rollover (online wizard) | Transfer of Assets (TOA) request — initiated at receiving institution |
| Customer-service phone | 1-800-523-1188 (Personal Investor) / 1-800-523-1036 (Small Business 401(k)) | 1-800-343-3548 |
| Customer-service hours | Mon-Fri 8am-8pm ET | Mon-Fri 7am-11pm ET, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm 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 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).
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Start my free previewFrequently asked questions
- How long does a Vanguard to Fidelity 401(k) rollover take?
- Both Vanguard and Fidelity support ACATS electronic transfers. Initiate the transfer from the Fidelity side (not Vanguard) 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 Vanguard or Fidelity first to start the rollover?
- Call or log in to Fidelity first. For ACATS-eligible transfers, the receiving institution initiates the pull — Fidelity sends a request to Vanguard electronically, and Vanguard releases the assets. Starting at the destination is faster and avoids Vanguard defaulting to mailing a check.
- Will I owe taxes when rolling over from Vanguard to Fidelity?
- 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 Vanguard 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 Vanguard charge a fee to roll over my 401(k)?
- Most employer 401(k) plans administered by Vanguard 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 Vanguard rep when you call (1-800-523-1188 (Personal Investor) / 1-800-523-1036 (Small Business 401(k))). Vanguard 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 Vanguard to Fidelity 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 — Vanguard's processing time is 5-7 business days (ACATS); 2-3 weeks for paper, which can consume a significant portion of your window if you wait.
- Can I roll my Vanguard 401(k) into a Fidelity IRA directly?
- Yes — a direct rollover from a Vanguard 401(k) to a Fidelity traditional IRA is fully legal under IRC §402(c). Fidelity supports ACATS, so the cleanest path is to open the IRA at Fidelity first, then have Fidelity initiate an ACATS pull from Vanguard. The one exception: if your Vanguard 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
Vanguard info verified 2026-05-15 · Fidelity 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 Vanguard 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.