Rollover comparison
Voya → Fidelity 401(k) rollover
If you're rolling a 401(k) FROM Voya 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 | Voya | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
| ACATS eligibility | Paper-based transfers only — typical processing 10–14 business days | ACATS (electronic) eligible — typical processing 3–5 business days |
| Processing time | 14-21 business days (paper-based) | 3-5 business days (ACATS); 7-10 days for paper |
| Transfer form | Distribution / Rollover Election (plan-specific) | Transfer of Assets (TOA) request — initiated at receiving institution |
| Customer-service phone | 1-800-584-6001 | 1-800-343-3548 |
| Customer-service hours | Mon-Fri 8am-9pm ET | Mon-Fri 7am-11pm ET, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm ET |
Known pitfalls at Voya
Warning: Voya is the rebranded ING US — if your old statement says ING, you're now at Voya. The login at my.voya.com works for legacy ING accounts.
Warning: Voya almost always requires a Medallion Signature Guarantee for rollovers (NOT a notary). Get this in person at a bank you have a relationship with — they want to see photo ID and your most recent statement.
Warning: Voya is known for slow rollover processing — plan for 3 weeks, not 2. If your 60-day window is tight, initiate IMMEDIATELY and use certified-mail tracking. Many Voya rollovers fail the 60-day deadline because customers underestimate processing time.
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 Voya to Fidelity 401(k) rollover take?
- Voya uses a paper-based transfer process (14-21 business days (paper-based)), while Fidelity supports ACATS. Despite Fidelity's ACATS capability, the outbound process is controlled by Voya, so expect 14-21 business days (paper-based) from the date you submit your rollover form.
- Do I call Voya or Fidelity first to start the rollover?
- Call Voya first at 1-800-584-6001 to request the rollover form and confirm the direct-rollover process. Once you have the form, call Fidelity to confirm they accept incoming rollovers from Voya and get any required receiving documentation.
- Will I owe taxes when rolling over from Voya 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 Voya 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 Voya charge a fee to roll over my 401(k)?
- Most employer 401(k) plans administered by Voya 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 Voya rep when you call (1-800-584-6001). Voya 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 Voya 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 — Voya's processing time is 14-21 business days (paper-based), which can consume a significant portion of your window if you wait.
- Can I roll my Voya 401(k) into a Fidelity IRA directly?
- Yes — a direct rollover from a Voya 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 Voya. The one exception: if your Voya 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
Voya 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 Voya 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.