Can I move my Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity—that was the question keeping me up one Thursday night back in 2020.
The answer is: Absolutely. And honestly, I did it myself a few years ago. Back then, I was sitting in my kitchen after dinner, looking over yet another confusing quarterly TIAA statement, wondering if I could get more control—and fewer headaches—somewhere else.
That decision led me on a surprisingly human journey of finance, frustration, and clarity. Today, let’s walk through how to roll over your Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity, without triggering taxes or penalties. If you’re thinking about your options, check out our TIAA Roth IRA overview as a base primer.
Key Takeaways
Yes, you can move your Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity through a direct transfer. It’s fast, avoids taxes, and gives you more control over your retirement. This guide walks you through the exact steps I took—and what you need to watch for.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
Can I Move My Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity?
Why I moved my Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity
Can I move my Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity? That was the exact question I asked myself back when I hit 49. I’d just reviewed my TIAA Roth IRA for the third time that year, and I still couldn’t figure out how much I was really paying in fees. The interface felt dated, the fund selection was limited, and the flexibility just wasn’t there.
Fidelity, on the other hand, already managed my kids’ 529 plans. Their dashboard was clean. Their fund options were broader. So I wondered—why not move everything under one roof?
I started researching. I spoke to Fidelity, then I called TIAA. The answer? Yes. You absolutely can move your Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity through what’s called a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer. This avoids triggering taxes and bypasses the IRS 60-day rule.
If you’re not sure whether your current balance includes taxed or untaxed portions, this guide on untaxed portions of IRA distributions breaks that down clearly.
How the transfer process works
I opened a Roth IRA at Fidelity online. It took maybe ten minutes. Then I completed their IRA transfer form, which included selecting TIAA as the current custodian. The form asked for my TIAA account number and what assets I wanted to transfer.
Fidelity took it from there. They sent the paperwork directly to TIAA, and two weeks later, the funds appeared in my new Roth IRA. No phone tag. No physical checks. No taxable events.
The key to doing this right is making sure the funds never touch your hands. Fidelity submitted the request in a way that clearly labeled the transfer as FBO—For Benefit Of—Robert Miller Roth IRA. That’s critical. It tells the IRS this is a rollover, not a distribution. If you’re not sure what that means, here’s a walkthrough on how IRA FBO titling works.
If your TIAA account includes annuity components, those might take longer to release. In my case, I had mutual funds, which transferred cleanly. But if you’re unsure whether your funds are fully liquid, check TIAA’s annuity terms or compare with your options at Ally using this rollover IRA strategy.
Why it was worth it
Once my Roth IRA landed at Fidelity, the control was immediate. I could choose low-cost index funds, set auto rebalancing, and track everything from my phone. My investment strategy got sharper overnight.
More importantly, I understood what I owned. No footnotes, no multi-page PDFs, just a clear view of my future.
If you’re building a strategy around IRA rollovers, especially Roth conversions, try using the IRA rollover to Roth calculator to test your tax exposure before you act.
Can I move my Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity? Yes—and once I did, I never looked back.
How to Move Roth IRA to Another Company
The two ways to transfer your Roth IRA
When I first started asking can I move my Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity, I kept seeing two methods pop up. But only one of them made sense if you want to avoid penalties.
The first is the indirect rollover. That’s when TIAA cuts you a check, and you’re responsible for redepositing the funds into another Roth IRA within 60 days. It sounds simple—until you forget, misplace the check, or miss the IRS deadline. Then it’s taxable income. That was a non-starter for me.
The second—and safer—method is the trustee-to-trustee transfer. That’s what I chose. Fidelity initiated the transfer directly from TIAA, and the funds were never sent to me. That’s why it wasn’t taxed and didn’t reset my Roth IRA contribution clock.
I double-checked everything using a tool like the IRA rollover to Roth calculator. That gave me clarity on whether any portion of my funds would count as conversion income (they didn’t).
What to tell TIAA and Fidelity
You’ll need to talk to both institutions, even if Fidelity handles the paperwork. When I called TIAA, they asked for the destination account title. That’s where the FBO format came in—something I learned about from this guide to FBO rollovers.
Be specific. I told them: “Please transfer my Roth IRA to Fidelity Investments, FBO Robert Miller, Roth IRA.” They knew exactly what that meant and processed it as a non-reportable transfer. No tax documents were generated.
If you’re curious how this compares with other complex rollover paths—like an IRA to HSA rollover—it’s a lot simpler. With Roth IRAs, the direct route is the cleanest.
What to check before the transfer is complete
Before I submitted the transfer request, I reviewed my TIAA holdings. Some of their accounts have embedded annuity products or illiquid investments. These can cause delays or require you to liquidate funds before moving them.
I held mutual funds only, which made my transfer fast. But if you’ve got a TIAA Traditional Annuity, for example, you may be subject to longer payout timelines.
Another thing to consider is contribution tracking. Once your Roth IRA is at Fidelity, it becomes easier to track annual contributions versus converted funds—critical if you ever need to make a qualified withdrawal or recharacterize assets.
To round out your plan, especially if you’re combining rollovers from multiple sources, this breakdown on advanced IRA rollover strategies will give you more tools.
So yes—can I move my Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity? Not only can you, but once you know which method to use and how to document it properly, it’s surprisingly easy.
Should I Open a Roth IRA with TIAA?
Why I chose not to open a new Roth IRA with TIAA
Before I even asked can I move my Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity, I asked a different question: Should I just open another Roth IRA with TIAA? After all, I was already a customer. But after digging deeper, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for how I wanted to manage my retirement money.
TIAA is built for institutional plans—think 403(b)s and employer-managed accounts. Their Roth IRA offering felt like an afterthought. The investment options were limited, and most were tied to TIAA-specific annuities. Those come with surrender periods, withdrawal restrictions, and liquidity rules that didn’t align with my long-term flexibility goals.
And even if I wasn’t ready to move everything right away, I wanted to understand how the platform would work for Roth IRAs going forward. It’s why I started comparing platforms and reading through resources like this breakdown of TIAA Roth IRA terms.
Comparing Roth IRA experience: TIAA vs Fidelity
Once I made the move, the difference was clear.
With Fidelity, I could log in and immediately see performance charts, tax documents, contribution tracking, and fund options across thousands of ETFs and mutual funds. I set up automatic rebalancing and added contributions from my side hustle with two clicks.
TIAA? I needed a PDF to track returns. If I wanted to change allocations, I had to wait until the next cycle. And even figuring out the impact of a rollover took a phone call.
This was more than convenience—it was control. And that control mattered. When I used tools like the 529 Roth IRA rollover guide to plan education and retirement moves at once, I needed a system that let me see the whole picture in one place.
When a TIAA Roth IRA might still make sense
That said, TIAA does offer one thing few firms do: access to their Traditional Annuity. For ultra-conservative investors who want guaranteed income, this can be attractive. If your goal is security over growth—and you’re comfortable with restrictions—it’s worth considering.
But for me, the question wasn’t can I move my Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity—it was why wouldn’t I?
And after comparing access, clarity, and control, Fidelity offered everything I needed in one place.
If you’re thinking about broader strategies, including pairing your Roth with an HSA, here’s a look at what happens when you plan an HSA rollover to IRA.
Can I Move My Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity and Handle Other Transfers?
Can I move my Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity if it includes a 403(b)?
If your Roth IRA at TIAA is connected to a 403(b)—which many teachers, hospital workers, and nonprofit employees have—you’ll need to understand the distribution rules before initiating a transfer.
With 403(b) plans, some assets can’t be rolled over until you separate from your employer. Others may be eligible for in-service rollovers. That’s why I always recommend confirming the plan document terms with your HR department or a TIAA advisor before taking action.
Once you’ve confirmed eligibility, you can request a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer to Fidelity, just as you would for any Roth IRA. The same principle applies: keep it coded as a transfer, not a distribution, and you avoid tax issues.
If you’re dealing with locked-up assets or annuity contracts inside the plan, use this reference on advanced IRA rollover strategies to map out a longer-term exit.
Can I move my money out of TIAA-CREF completely?
A lot of people ask not just can I move my Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity, but also—can I move everything? The answer is yes, but it depends on the account type.
If you hold traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, or 403(b)s that are no longer active, you can initiate rollovers to Fidelity or any other custodian. The biggest friction happens with TIAA Traditional Annuity products, which often come with 9-year withdrawal schedules.
When I made my transfer, I held mutual funds only, which sped things up. But I’ve seen cases where someone moved their Roth IRA in two stages—liquid funds first, annuities later. This works, but it’s important to know what’s subject to surrender periods and what isn’t.
If you’re trying to structure this carefully, here’s a comparison of timelines and liquidity covered in the roll over MYGA back to IRA tax-free guide. That’s especially helpful if your money is tied up in long-term guaranteed products.
Does Robinhood charge a fee to move to Fidelity?
It’s not just can I move my Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity—people are moving accounts from everywhere these days. If you’re coming from Robinhood, keep this in mind: Robinhood charges a $75 ACAT fee for full or partial account transfers.
Fidelity doesn’t charge anything to receive assets. In fact, they often offer reimbursement credits if you’re transferring large balances. I didn’t move from Robinhood myself, but a friend of mine did, and Fidelity covered the fee after he called support and asked.
Unlike TIAA, Robinhood doesn’t support retirement accounts directly unless it’s a Roth IRA through their mobile product. So if you’re consolidating across platforms, understanding how fees apply will help you build a clean retirement map.
And if you’re looking to move funds between account types (like Roth IRA to HSA), this article explains IRA to HSA rollover rules in plain English.
FAQs
Can you transfer from TIAA to Fidelity?
Yes, you can transfer a Roth IRA or traditional IRA from TIAA to Fidelity using a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer. This avoids taxes and keeps the process IRS-compliant. Fidelity will help you open the receiving account and initiate the request.
If you’re moving annuity-based assets, like those tied to the TIAA Traditional, the transfer may take longer or involve payout restrictions. Always confirm with TIAA whether your funds are fully liquid.
For more about annuity rollbacks, here’s a walkthrough on how to roll over a MYGA back to an IRA tax-free.
Can I transfer Roth IRA to Fidelity?
Absolutely. If your Roth IRA is at TIAA, the cleanest method is a direct transfer, where funds go from TIAA straight into your Fidelity Roth IRA account. Do not request a distribution or physical check.
Fidelity will title the new account using the “FBO” format—For Benefit Of—which keeps the IRS from treating it as a withdrawal. This is the exact method I used when I moved my Roth IRA, and it worked flawlessly.
If you’re wondering how this fits with education-focused strategies, see how a 529 can roll into a Roth IRA.
How to move Roth IRA to another company?
Start by opening a Roth IRA at the new firm (like Fidelity). Then fill out a Roth IRA transfer form, which includes the details of your current custodian (TIAA) and the assets you want to move.
The new provider sends the request, not you. That’s what keeps it tax-free. Make sure your current provider labels the transaction as a non-reportable transfer, not a distribution.
Need to test your Roth conversion risk before you move? Try this IRA rollover to Roth calculator.
Should I open a Roth IRA with TIAA?
If you already have an employer-sponsored plan at TIAA, it might seem convenient to open a Roth IRA there too. But most investors find that TIAA’s IRA platform has limited fund flexibility and a less intuitive user experience.
I chose Fidelity for its broader fund access, lower expense ratios, and easier account control. If you’re evaluating whether to consolidate or split accounts, check out this overview of TIAA Roth IRA features before deciding.
Where should I open a Roth IRA?
You should open a Roth IRA with a provider that fits your comfort level and investment style. For beginners or those who want low-cost, long-term investing, firms like Vanguard, Fidelity, or Charles Schwab are solid picks due to their no-fee accounts and strong index fund offerings. If you prefer a hands-off approach, robo-advisors like Betterment or Wealthfront manage everything for you automatically. For more active investors, platforms like E*TRADE or TD Ameritrade offer greater control and research tools. Just make sure the provider has low fees, good fund choices, and reliable customer support—because starting is what truly matters most.
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering can I move my Roth IRA from TIAA to Fidelity, the answer is yes—and it’s easier than you think. I did it, and it gave me more clarity, control, and peace of mind about my retirement.
Whether you’re moving a Roth IRA, a 403(b), or combining accounts for simplicity, just remember: start with the receiving firm, request a direct transfer, and stay on top of the paperwork.
And if you’re looking to go even deeper, here’s a look at advanced IRA rollover strategies that might help you plan smarter.
Drop your questions below or share your own rollover experience—I read every comment.
Plan smart. Retire confident.
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