How to Transfer a Roth IRA from Fidelity to E*TRADE

Retirement savings can change over time as your financial goals evolve and the investment landscape shifts. You may find yourself considering a move of your Roth IRA from Fidelity to E*TRADE to access different investment options, adjust fee structures, or align your portfolio with specific trading tools and strategies.

A properly executed transfer helps ensure your retirement funds maintain their tax-advantaged status while offering flexibility to refine your investment approach.

At Carry, we want to make financial decisions feel more manageable, even if you’re handling them outside our platform. Please note that while we try to provide the most up-to-date information, these processes are subject to change without notice, so be sure to check with your provider before moving forward. 

Step 1: Understand Your Roth IRA Transfer Strategy

Moving your Roth IRA from Fidelity to E*TRADE requires careful planning. A direct trustee-to-trustee transfer allows you to move your retirement funds without triggering taxes or penalties. The key is following each step carefully to ensure a smooth transition.

What You’ll Need:

✅ Your Fidelity Roth IRA account details

✅ Valid government-issued identification

✅ E*TRADE account information

✅ Recent Roth IRA statement from Fidelity

✅ Your Social Security number

📝 important Note: Always double-check your account information before initiating the transfer to prevent potential delays.

Step 2: Open Your E*TRADE Account

Before transferring, you must open a Roth IRA with E*TRADE. The account setup process usually takes about 10–15 minutes online. You will need to provide basic personal information and link a funding source if applicable.

Key requirements for account opening:

✅Social Security Number

✅Contact information

✅Employment details

✅Bank account for potential funding

Step 3: Initiate the Transfer Process

Contact E*TRADE to talk with their representative and begin the transfer. Complete and submit the necessary forms. E*TRADE will coordinate directly with Fidelity to complete the transfer.​

📝 Note: Avoid withdrawing funds personally, as this could trigger taxes and penalties.

Step 4: Provide Required Documentation

Gather all necessary documentation to help expedite the transfer:

✅Most recent Roth IRA statement from Fidelity

✅Completed transfer request form

✅Proof of government-issued ID

✅E*TRADE account details

✏️ Hypothetical Example: Sarah prepared all her documents in advance, which helped her transfer complete within five business days.

Step 5: Choose Your Transfer Method

Select between two primary transfer approaches:

1. Direct Transfer (recommended): Funds move directly between custodians.

2. Rollover (less preferred): Funds are sent to you and the check must be deposited into the new account within 60 days.

📝 Important: Direct transfers typically reduce the risk of triggering unintended taxes or penalties.

Step 6: Understand Potential Transfer Fees

Most brokers, including Fidelity and E*TRADE, do not charge transfer fees for Roth IRAs. However it’s always advisable to confirm specific details with both institutions.

Potential costs to consider:

Step 7: Monitor Your Transfer Timeline

Transfers typically take between 5–10 business days. Some scenarios involving complex investment holdings may extend this timeline.

Helpful tracking tips:

📝 Pro Tip: Refrain from trading during the transfer process to avoid disruption.

Step 8: Verify Transfer Completion

After the transfer finalizes, review your new E*TRADE Roth IRA account:

✅ Confirm that the total amount transferred matches your Fidelity balance
✅ Verify that all intended investments transferred correctly (if doing an in-kind transfer)
✅ Confirm there are no unexpected fees or discrepancies

📌 If you need any additional guidance, be sure to check out these related articles:

Final Thoughts on Your Roth IRA Transfer

Transferring your Roth IRA from Fidelity to E*TRADE is a straightforward process that requires careful attention to detail. The key takeaways are simple: gather all necessary documentation, initiate a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer, and follow each step carefully to avoid potential tax complications.

Your next steps should include:

✅ Opening a Roth IRA account with E*TRADE

✅ Preparing your recent account statements and personal identification

✅ Initiating the direct transfer through E*TRADE’s platform or with assistance from their support team

Most transfers typically take 5–10 business days to complete, and generally, there are no standard fees for moving Roth IRA assets between these institutions. However, it’s always recommended to verify any potential administrative or investment-specific costs ahead of time. Consider consulting a tax professional if you have unique circumstances that could impact your transfer.

📌 Want to dive deeper? Here are some other helpful resources:

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Disclaimer:

The Carry Learning Center is operated by The Vibes Company Inc. (“Vibes”) and contains generalized educational content about personal finance topics. While Vibes provides educational content and technology services, all investment advisory services discussed on this website are provided exclusively through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Carry Advisors LLC (“Carry Advisors”), an SEC registered investment adviser. The information contained on the Carry Learning Center should not be construed as personalized investment advice and should not be considered as a solicitation to buy or sell any security or engage in a particular investment, accounting, tax or legal strategy. Vibes is not providing tax, legal, accounting, or investment advice. You should consult with qualified tax, legal, accounting, and investment professionals regarding your specific situation.

The accounts, strategies and/or investments discussed in this material may not be suitable for all investors. All investments involve the risk of loss, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment growth or profit is never a guarantee. All statements and opinions included on the Carry Learning Center are intended to be current as of the date of publication but are subject to change without notice.

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