Rollover comparison

Voya → Vanguard 401(k) rollover

If you're rolling a 401(k) FROM Voya 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

Voya vs Vanguard 401(k) rollover comparison
Field	Voya	Vanguard
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)	5-7 business days (ACATS); 2-3 weeks for paper
Transfer form	Distribution / Rollover Election (plan-specific)	Move money in — Direct rollover (online wizard)
Customer-service phone	1-800-584-6001	1-800-523-1188 (Personal Investor) / 1-800-523-1036 (Small Business 401(k))
Customer-service hours	Mon-Fri 8am-9pm ET	Mon-Fri 8am-8pm 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 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 Voya 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.