Refresh March 30, 2025 2:40 PM ET
 Refresh March 30, 2025 2:40 PM ET

Plan for retirement

Social Security and company pension funds may provide only part of the income you'll need when you stop working. That's why Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are so important. An IRA can help you reduce your current tax burden and increase the growth potential of any earnings with tax-deferred compounding.

To learn more about the different types of IRAs, just visit our Retirement Center .
Open IRAs and other retirement accounts
We offer a number of retirement accounts at E*TRADE Securities, as shown in the table below. Click on the link in the left-hand column to open that particular IRA account online, or follow the instructions on the right.

Type of IRA Description
Traditional IRA You can set aside up to $6,000 and an additional $1,000 per year if you are 50 or older
Rollover IRA You can reinvest the distribution from your former employer's qualified retirement plan.
Roth IRA Contributions can be withdrawn at any time tax and penalty free. Withdrawals of earnings may be tax free as long as the funds have been in the account for at least five years and you are at least age 59 ½. Roth IRAs can also be created when converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.
SEP-IRA Simplified Employee Pension plan that allows you to contribute 25% of compensation, up to $57,000 in 2020 ($58,000 in 2021). Download an application.
SIMPLE IRA Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees that provides for salary deferrals by the employee up to $13,500, plus an additional $3,000 if over age 50, as well as employer matching contributions. Download an application.
Individual 401(k) and Roth Individual 401(k) Tax-deferred retirement plans that offer the maximum retirement savings for self-employed individuals and spouses. The salary deferral limit is $19,500, plus an additional $6,000 if over age 50. This can be split between the Individual 401(k) and Roth Individual 401(k) accounts. No maximum income restriction exists as with Roth IRAs. The discretionary profit sharing contribution limit is up to 25% of compensation, which must be made to the Individual 401(k) account. The aggregate limit for both plans is $57,000 and $63,500 if over age 50 in 2020 ($58,000 and $64,500 if over age 50 in 2021). Download an application.
Profit Sharing plan Tax-deferred employer sponsored retirement plan that let an employer contribute up to 25% of an employee's income, up to a maximum of $57,000 in 2020 ($58,000 in 2021). Download an application.
IRA for Minors The IRA for Minors is an IRA account (Traditional or Roth IRA) opened for the benefit of a minor with earned income. Download an application.

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Move money from my company plan to a rollover IRA
Use the following procedure to move money from your former employer's qualified retirement plan (such as 401(k) or profit sharing plan) to a Rollover IRA at E*TRADE Securities.

Some company plans offer mutual funds that aren't registered for public sale or proprietary mutual funds not transferable to IRAs at other firms. Before you can move these to your rollover account, first redeem your shares for cash through your former plan.
  1. Open a rollover IRA account online.
  2. Contact your former company's benefits plan administrator. Your company may require you to fill out its forms to process your rollover request.
  3. If your employer will be sending a check directly to E*TRADE Securities, have them make the check payable to "E*TRADE Securities LLC".

    Tip:
    It's best if your employer sends the check to you (but not payable to you) so that you can make sure your name and account number are correctly printed.

  4. Send all checks to:

    By regular U.S. mail
    E*TRADE Securities LLC
    PO Box 484
    Jersey City, NJ 07303-0484

    By overnight mail
    E*TRADE Securities LLC
    Harborside 2
    200 Hudson Street, Suite 501
    Jersey City, NJ
    07311-1113
Notes:
  • Before deciding whether to retain assets in a retirement plan account through a former employer, or to roll them over to an IRA, an investor should consider various factors including, but not limited to, investment option, fees and expenses, services, withdrawal penalties, protection from creditors and legal judgments, required minimum distributions, and possession of employer stock. For additional information, view the FINRA Investor Alert.
    • If the funds aren't showing up on your rollover IRA statement, and the employer says that the funds were sent to E*TRADE Securities, call us at 800-387-2331. We'll need your rollover account number, and the name and telephone number of your retirement plan's representative. We'll do our best to clarify the status of your rollover.
  • There are no longer any income restrictions on Roth Conversions which means that everyone can now convert their Traditional or Rollover IRA to a Roth IRA. In addition, you can roll over money from your 401(k) directly into a Roth IRA. You may have to pay taxes on the money you convert, and if you rollover a 401(k), you won't be allowed to roll the money over to a new company plan in the future. Learn More

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What types of company plans can I roll over?
The following types of company plans usually let you roll over to an E*TRADE Rollover IRA:
  • 401(k) plans
  • 403(b) plans
  • Governmental 457 plans
  • Keogh plans
  • Profit sharing plans
  • Money purchase pension plans
  • Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs)
  • Certain defined benefit plans
While most plans of the types listed above allow rollovers, some don't. To find out about your specific plan, talk to your employer's Plan Administrator or Employee Benefits Department.

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Convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA
You may be able to convert your Traditional, Rollover, SEP, SAR-SEP or SIMPLE IRA to a Roth IRA. There are no income limits or tax filing restrictions on Roth IRA conversions.

Before you begin:
  • Find out if a conversion might be right for you by using our Roth IRA Conversion Calculator.
  • Consult a professional tax or estate-planning advisor -- you may have to pay federal and/or state income taxes on the money you convert.
If a Roth IRA conversion seems to be the right move in your situation, do the following:
  1. If you don't already have an existing Roth IRA at E*TRADE Securities, open a Roth IRA account online.
  2. After your Roth IRA is opened, submit a Roth IRA conversion request online.
Tip:
For additional assistance, contact us at 800-387-2331.

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Contribute to my IRA account
If you have earned income, you can contribute the lesser of $6,000, plus an additional $1,000 if over age 50, or 100% of your earned income, whichever is less, into a tax-deferred Traditional (contributory) or Roth IRA. You can deposit money into your IRA account by transferring funds online from a bank or brokerage account, sending us a check by mail, or setting up your contribution over the phone.

Each method of contribution is detailed below: Contribute online from a bank or brokerage account
In order to make an online contribution, your accounts will need to be enrolled in the Transfer Money service. You can enroll an outside account from another financial institution, or link an E*TRADE Securities or Morgan Stanley Private Bank account to facilitate transfers.
  1. Access the Transfer Money service on the Move Money page.
  2. Select the appropriate accounts in the Transfer From and Transfer To pull-down menus, and enter your contribution amount.
  3. At Schedule Date, enter the date you want your contribution to occur. In the case of a recurring contribution, this will be the date you'd like the first contribution (of the recurring series) to take place.
  4. At Repeat, select how often you want your contribution to occur. Non-recurring contributions should be set at None.
  5. Click Preview Transfer to preview your contribution request.
Notes:
  • If you're making a one-time contribution to your IRA between January 1 and April 15, you'll be asked on the preview screen to select the tax year to which your contribution applies. At all other times, the calendar year of the transfer will be automatically selected as the tax year. For recurring IRA contributions, the contribution will be automatically applied to the calendar year of the transfer. Please do not set up a recurring IRA contribution between January 1 and April 15 if you want the contributions to apply to the previous year.
  • The requested date for the transfer may not be available in all cases due to non-processing days (i.e. holidays or weekends). To view eligible dates for a particular transfer, click on the Calendar icon once you've selected the From and To accounts. A recurring transfer falling on a non-processing day will be automatically processed the next processing day.

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Send your contribution by mail
If you're transferring funds from a non-IRA Morgan Stanley Private Bank or E*TRADE Securities brokerage account, send us a letter that authorizes E*TRADE Securities to withdraw your contribution from this other account.

In your letter, include the Morgan Stanley Private Bank or E*TRADE Securities brokerage account number from which you're withdrawing your IRA funds and indicate the tax year for which the contribution is being made.

If you're moving money to an account other than your own, notarize the letter.

If you're sending a check, make your check payable to "E*TRADE Securities LLC." On the check, write your E*TRADE Securities account number for your IRA and the tax year for which you're contributing.

Note:
Unless otherwise noted, we will assume that the deposit is being made for the current tax year. If you make a deposit between January 1 and April 15 for the prior tax year, be sure to specify the prior tax year in your letter and on the check.

Send your letter of authorization and check to:

By regular U.S. mail
E*TRADE Securities LLC
PO Box 484
Jersey City, NJ 07303-0484

By overnight mail
E*TRADE Securities LLC
Harborside 2
200 Hudson Street, Suite 501
Jersey City, NJ
07311-1113

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Arrange your contribution by phone
Give us a call at 1-800-ETRADE-1. We'll be happy to help you set up your IRA contribution.

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Send your contribution by wire transfer
It's fast and easy to wire money into your account from another institution. Below, you'll find instructions for wiring money to your brokerage account.

To wire money to your E*TRADE Securities account:
  1. Ask your other financial institution to wire the funds to E*TRADE Securities:
  2. Provide them with:

    If your financial institution is located in the United States:
    • The amount you want to wire
    • The receiving institution information:
      E*TRADE Securities
      PO Box 484
      Jersey City, NJ 07303-0484
      ABA transit routing number: 056073573
    • Your eight-digit E*TRADE Securities account number
    • Your name and address


    If your financial institution is located outside the United States:
    • The amount you want to wire in U.S. dollars
    • The receiving institution information:
      The Bank of New York
      One Wall Street
      New York, NY 10286
      Swift Code: irvtus3n
      Routing Number: 021000018
      FBO: E*TRADE Securities LLC
      Account Number: 890 034 6256
    • Your eight-digit E*TRADE Securities account number (add the letters "ET" before your account number, for example ET12345678)
    • Your name and address
    • Please note that international wires usually take 2-7 business days to process.

Check your account the next business day to verify that the funds have been received. If your institution included your account number and the wire was received before 6 p.m. ET the previous business day, the funds should be in your account.

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Take a distribution from my IRA
Please select how you would like to take your distribution:
Take a distribution from an Investment-Only Retirement Plan
To withdraw funds from the account, the designated Plan Trustee(s) must send in a completed Investment-Only Withdrawal Request Form with a copy of a valid photo ID through Document Upload or by:
Send the original form to us:
Regular U.S. mail
E*TRADE Securities LLC
PO Box 484
Jersey City, NJ 07303-0484

Overnight mail
E*TRADE Securities LLC
Harborside 2
200 Hudson Street, Suite 501
Jersey City, NJ
07311-1113

Fax
General Fax Number: 1-866-650-0003
From Outside the U.S.: 1-678-624-6950

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Request a checkbook for an Investment-Only Retirement Plan
Check writing is available on these accounts. The first checkbook is free; however subsequent checkbook orders are $8.25 each. To request a checkbook, the designated Plan Trustee(s) must send in a letter of instruction requesting a checkbook through Document Upload, fax, or mail. The letter or instruction must include the following information:

  • Account Number
  • Request for checkbook order (acknowledgement of the fee if placing a subsequent order)
  • Signatures for all designated Plan Trustees (as listed on the account as authorized account holders)
  • Printed names for all designated Plan Trustees
  • Date

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What types of distributions can I take online?
You can take the following types of distributions online at E*TRADE Securities from your Traditional, Rollover, Roth, SEP, SAR-SEP, SIMPLE IRA, Individual 401(k), Roth Individual 401(k), Beneficiary IRA, and Beneficiary Roth IRA:
  • Normal distribution (over age 59 ½)
  • Premature distribution (under age 59 ½)
  • Charitable Donation (over age 59 ½ for Traditional IRA account types, no age limit for Roth account types)
  • Qualified distribution (over age 59 ½ or death distribution for Roth IRA, account opened 5 or more years ago)
  • Non-qualified distribution (over age 59 ½ or death distribution for Roth IRA, account opened less than 5 years ago)
  • Excess removal distribution (removing a previous over contribution)
  • Required minimum distribution (born before 6/30/1949 or turn age 72 after 1/1/2021)
  • Disability Distribution (pursuant to the requirements under IRS code Section 72(m)(7))
  • Death (death distribution from Traditional or Beneficiary IRA)
  • Child Birth / Adoption (Individual 401(k) and Individual Roth 401(k) only)
You can take the following types of distributions online at E*TRADE Securities from your Coverdell ESA:
  • General
  • Excess removal distribution (removing a previous over contribution)
  • Disability Distribution (pursuant to the requirements under IRS code Section 72(m)(7)
You are not able to request a distribution online from your Profit Sharing or Money Purchase plan. These plans require additional paperwork and a paper distribution form must be mailed or uploaded.

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Take a distribution online
To avoid the hassle of sending in a distribution request, make your request online and have access to your funds more quickly. Just click here, and complete the online form. You should have your request processed and on its way in 3-5 business days.

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Print, sign, and mail a distribution request
Once we receive paperwork in good order, we can process your distribution request. Use the following procedure to request a distribution:
  1. Go to the Transfers & Distributions forms page, download and print the IRA Distribution Request form, or click here.
  2. Complete the form and indicate the amount you want to withdraw.
  3. Sign the completed form and send it to us through Document Upload or by:

    Regular U.S. mail
    E*TRADE Securities LLC
    PO Box 484
    Jersey City, NJ 07303-0484

    Overnight mail
    E*TRADE Securities LLC
    Harborside 2
    200 Hudson Street, Suite 501
    Jersey City, NJ
    07311-1113


    Fax
    General Fax Number: 1-866-650-0003
    From Outside the U.S.: 1-678-624-6950
Notes:
  • You should consult a financial or tax advisor for information about the tax consequences of taking a distribution.

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Consider an E*TRADE Complete™ IRA
If you are over age 59 ½ and hold a Traditional, Rollover, Roth, SEP or SIMPLE IRA, you are eligible to enroll your account in the E*TRADE Complete™ IRA program. You can then order checks, a debit card, or use online bill pay. These cash management features will provide you easy, flexible, and convenient access to your retirement funds. Keep in mind that all withdrawals in the form of check, debit card or bill pay from IRA accounts will be considered distributions and reportable on IRS Form 1099R. The 1099R will be mailed or delivered electronically each January for the previous year's distributions. In addition, federal and state income tax will not be withheld from these payments and it is your responsibility to make estimated tax payments if necessary. You can use our online IRA distribution form if you wish to take an IRA distribution that includes federal and state withholding. Please note: due to state tax withholding requirements, CT residents are not permitted to open this account type and MI residents will need to provide certain reporting forms and authorizations on file with E*TRADE.

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Change IRA beneficiaries
You can change the beneficiaries on your E*TRADE Securities IRA account and add primary or contingent beneficiaries.

Find out more...

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View the IRA, Roth IRA, and Coverdell ESA agreements
Our customer agreements contain important information about privacy as well as how your account is governed and any potential risks associated with your account. Review these agreements carefully.

Find out more...

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Restate your Qualified Retirement Plan for the Pension Protection Act (PPA)
Legislation, commonly referred to as the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA), made many significant changes to qualified plans such as modifying the hardship distribution definition to include non-spouse, non-dependent beneficiary hardships, allowing guardsmen or reservists who are called to active duty for at least 180 days to take penalty-free distributions of deferral assets from 401(k) plans and allowing non-spouse beneficiaries of qualified retirement plans to roll assets into a beneficiary IRA.

When significant law changes such as PPA occur, the IRS requires you to update and replace your current qualified plan documents with new documents, which incorporate the changes. This is known as restating your plan. This requirement is not one that E*TRADE Securities imposes, but rather is a requirement mandated by the IRS.

Failure to complete this restatement could result in the disqualification of your plan.

Download Forms:

If you have more than one plan, be sure to download the documents for each plan you hold.

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