Fidelity 401(k) rollover
Your Fidelity 401(k) rollover, step by step — without missing the IRS 60-day deadline.
Fidelity rollovers have a specific path: the right phone tree, the right form, and the pitfalls almost nobody mentions. Get a personalized plan in 3 minutes.
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Customer service
1-800-343-3548
Mon-Fri 7am-11pm ET, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm ET
Transfer method
ACATS (electronic) eligible
3-5 business days (ACATS); 7-10 days for paper
Form name
Transfer of Assets (TOA) request — initiated at receiving institution
Login portal
https://nb.fidelity.comWhat makes Fidelity unique
Three pitfalls Fidelity rollovers run into.
- 01
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.
- 02
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.
- 03
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).
The 5-step playbook
Here's the path for Fidelity → IRA.
- Day 0
Open your destination account (if you don't already have one).
Open the IRA or new 401(k) at the destination custodian first. You'll need the destination account number to fill out the transfer paperwork. Most destination accounts can be opened online in 10 minutes.
- Day 1
Call Fidelity to confirm the account is rollover-eligible.
Phone: 1-800-343-3548. Ask: 'Is my 401(k) eligible for direct rollover, and what is the exact name and routing for ACATS transfer?' Note the answer. They may try to talk you into keeping the assets at Fidelity — politely decline if that's not your plan.
- Day 2
Initiate the transfer from the RECEIVING institution.
Log into your destination account. Find 'Transfer in' or 'Roll over an account'. Choose 'Direct rollover from 401(k)'. Enter Fidelity's information (the destination custodian will know what to fill in). This triggers an ACATS pull — Fidelity sends the assets electronically, no paper check.
- Get my free preview → to see steps 4–5 + the day-by-day checklist + your personal deadline date.
FAQ
Common questions.
How long does a Fidelity 401(k) rollover take?
3-5 business days (ACATS); 7-10 days for paper. Plan for the upper end of that range — the IRS 60-day window starts the day your distribution check is issued, not the day it arrives.
What's the IRS 60-day rule?
If you take an indirect rollover (check made out to you), you have 60 calendar days to redeposit the FULL amount into another qualified account. Miss it and the distribution is taxed as ordinary income plus a 10% penalty if you're under 59½. Direct rollovers (custodian-to-custodian) avoid this entirely.
Will I owe taxes on a Fidelity 401(k) rollover?
Not if you do a DIRECT rollover into a Traditional IRA or another pre-tax 401(k). Rolling into a Roth IRA is a conversion — you'll owe ordinary income tax on the converted amount. We model this in your full plan.
Can I roll the Fidelity 401(k) into an IRA at the same place?
Yes — you can roll a Fidelity 401(k) into a Fidelity IRA. It's the simplest path because there's only one account login. But shop the destination: some custodians offer better fund options or lower fees than your old plan side.
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3-minute wizard · free preview · $49 for the full plan with personalized steps, day-by-day checklist, and tax modeling. 30-day money-back guarantee.
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