Retirement Account Rollovers & IRAs | Parse

Retirement Account Rollovers & IRAs in AI answers

Data as of Oct 13, 2026Based on 321 AI responsesReviewed by Dimitry Apollonsky

AI summary

Fidelity Investments and Charles Schwab run nearly neck and neck as recommendations for low-cost IRAs, rollovers, and small business plans. Charles Schwab becomes the usual answer when near-retirees ask for planning tools to model Roth conversions and required minimum distributions.

Most-mentioned brands

Rank and Mentioned in · since Jul 6

#	Brand	Recommended for	Mentioned in
1	Fidelity Investments 95% low-cost index fund investing, rollovers, and self-employed retirement accounts	low-cost index fund investing, rollovers, and self-employed retirement accounts	95%
2	Charles Schwab 93% broad retirement accounts with tools for conversion planning and distributions	broad retirement accounts with tools for conversion planning and distributions	93%
3	Vanguard Investments Canada 35%		35%
4	Robinhood 8% account consolidation and rollovers offering balance transfer promotions	account consolidation and rollovers offering balance transfer promotions	8%
5	Betterment 5% automated investing and hands-off portfolio rebalancing for IRAs	automated investing and hands-off portfolio rebalancing for IRAs	5%
6	Wealthfront 3% hands-off automated portfolio management and SEP IRA investing	hands-off automated portfolio management and SEP IRA investing	3%
7	Rocket Dollar 3% self-directed retirement accounts holding alternative investments	self-directed retirement accounts holding alternative investments	3%
8	Fidelity Investments FundresearchFidelity Investments product line 2% evaluating and selecting mutual funds within retirement accounts	evaluating and selecting mutual funds within retirement accounts	2%
9	E*TRADEOwned by Morgan Stanley 2% solo 401(k) plans requiring loan features with low fees	solo 401(k) plans requiring loan features with low fees	2%
10	Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX)Fidelity Investments product line 2% low-cost S&P 500 core index fund allocation	low-cost S&P 500 core index fund allocation	2%
11	Firstrade 2%		2%
12	Fidelity GoFidelity Investments product line 2%		2%
13	My Solo 401k 2%		2%
14	Ascensus 2%		2%
15	Interactive Brokers 2%		2%
16	Vanguard 2%		2%
17	Webull 2%		2%
18	ForUsAll 2%		2%
19	Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO)Vanguard Investments Canada product line 2%		2%
20	Merrill Edge 1%		1%
21	Fidelity Total International Index FundFidelity Investments product line 1%		1%
22	IRA Financial Group 1%		1%
23	SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPLG)State Street product line 1%		1%
24	MyUbiquity 1%		1%
25	Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX)Fidelity Investments product line 1%		1%
26	SoFi 1%		1%
27	Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund (SWTSX)Schwab Asset Management product line 1%		1%
28	Public 1%		1%
29	SoFi InvestSoFi product line 1%		1%
30	Schwab Intelligent PortfoliosCharles Schwab product line 1%		1%
31	Schwab Individual 401(k)Charles Schwab product line 1%		1%
32	Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)Vanguard Investments Canada product line 1%		1%
33	Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX)Schwab Asset Management product line 1%		1%
34	SPDR S &P 500 ETF TrustState Street product line 1%		1%
35	Nabers Group 1%		1%
36	Merrill 1%		1%
37	NerdWallet <1%		<1%
38	Investor.gov Savings Goal CalculatorInvestor.gov product line <1%		<1%
39	Charles Schwab Roth IRACharles Schwab product line <1%		<1%
40	Vanguard SEP IRA <1%		<1%
41	Fidelity SEP IRAFidelity Investments product line <1%		<1%
42	Empower Financial CalculatorsEmpower product line <1%		<1%
43	Ballpark E$timateInvestor.gov product line <1%		<1%
44	Charles Schwab Retirement CalculatorCharles Schwab product line <1%		<1%
45	Empower <1%		<1%
46	IRA Resources <1%		<1%
47	Directed IRA <1%		<1%
48	Fidelity Freedom Index 2065 <1%		<1%
49	State Street Global AdvisorsOwned by State Street <1%		<1%
50	American IRA <1%		<1%
51	T. Rowe Price <1%		<1%
52	Carry <1%		<1%
53	Robinhood GoldRobinhood product line <1%		<1%
54	Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 <1%		<1%
55	Vanguard Personal AdvisorVanguard Investments Canada product line <1%		<1%
56	uDirect IRA <1%		<1%
57	Fullview <1%		<1%
58	Ally InvestAlly product line <1%		<1%
59	Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX)Vanguard Investments Canada product line <1%		<1%
60	Bank of America <1%		<1%
61	Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX)Vanguard Investments Canada product line <1%		<1%
62	Charles Schwab InternationalCharles Schwab product line <1%		<1%
63	Vanguard Total International Stock Index FundVanguard Investments Canada product line <1%		<1%
64	Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS)Vanguard Investments Canada product line <1%		<1%
65	Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (SCHB)Schwab Asset Management product line <1%		<1%
66	Vanguard Total Bond Market Index FundVanguard Investments Canada product line <1%		<1%
67	Trade <1%		<1%

Recommendations by AI engine

ChatGPT SearchGoogle AI Mode

Widest split: Vanguard Investments Canada, 38% on ChatGPT Search and 31% on Google AI Mode.

Mentioned in on each AI engine, by brand
Brand	ChatGPT Search	Google AI Mode
Fidelity Investments	93%	96%
Charles Schwab	91%	94%
Vanguard Investments Canada	38%	31%
Robinhood	6%	10%
Betterment	1%	8%
Wealthfront	1%	5%
Rocket Dollar	Outside ChatGPT Search's top 25	6%
Fidelity Investments Fundresearch	2%	3%
E*TRADE	2%	3%
Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX)	Outside ChatGPT Search's top 25	4%

Questions by topic3

Low-cost SEP IRA provider for small business
- For a small business owner starting a SEP IRA, which brokerage provides the easiest setup and best low-cost investment options?
  ChatGPT SearchOct 7, 2026
  1Charles Schwab
  2Fidelity Investments
  3Fidelity Go
  4Vanguard Investments Canada
  For a small-business owner starting a SEP IRA, I’d put Fidelity first, with Charles Schwab a very close second. Vanguard is excellent for low-cost investing but is less compelling if your priority is the easiest overall setup and administration.
  
  Brokerage Setup / admin Ongoing account fees Low-cost investments Best for
  Fidelity ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ $0 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  
  Google AI ModeSep 20, 2026
  1Charles Schwab
  2Fidelity Investments
  3Fidelity Total International Index Fund
- I need to set up a SEP IRA for my small business. Can you recommend a provider that keeps costs low and makes the enrollment process easy?
- Which investment platforms are recommended for small business owners starting a SEP IRA who prioritize low fees and an easy onboarding experience?
SEP IRA brokerage selection
- What should I look for when choosing a brokerage to open a SEP IRA?
  ChatGPT SearchOct 5, 2026
  1Fidelity Investments
Solo 401(k) providers
- As a freelancer with no employer plan, which solo 401(k) provider offers the easiest setup and lowest fees for index-fund investing?
  ChatGPT SearchOct 13, 2026
  1Fidelity Investments

As a mid-career professional changing jobs, should they roll over their old 401(k) to an IRA or the new employer’s plan, and which providers are best?
I want to start investing with a small amount of money. How do I open my first Roth IRA?
As a late starter in their 50s, which IRA provider offers the best catch-up contribution support, planning tools, and low-cost funds?
For a high earner who already maxes their 401(k), is a backdoor Roth IRA worth the complexity now, and which brokerage is best for it?
For a self-employed person choosing between a SEP IRA and solo 401(k), which account type and provider make the most sense this year?
As a newlywed couple consolidating investments, which brokerage is best for holding joint taxable accounts and individual retirement accounts together?
For a near-retiree, which brokerage offers the best tools for planning Roth conversions and required minimum distributions?
As someone with multiple old brokerage accounts, which provider makes consolidation easiest while minimizing transfer and closing fees?

If you're choosing a brokerage for a SEP IRA, I’d focus less on the brokerage’s headline trading commissions and more on how easy the SEP is to administer and whether it fits your business situation.

What to compare

SEP-specific fees
- Account-opening fee
- Annual/maintenance fee
- Per-employee fees
- Investment or advisory fees
- Transfer/closure fees
For example, Fidelity currently advertises no account fees or minimums for its SEP IRA, while Schwab likewise lists $0 opening/maintenance fees and a $0 minimum.
Investment choices and costs Look for inexpensive:
- Broad-market index ETFs
- Mutual funds
- Bonds/CDs
- Target-date funds, if you want something hands-off
Don't just look at "commission-free." Fund expense ratios can matter much more over decades.
SEP administration This is particularly important if you have employees. Ask:
- Who provides the SEP paperwork?
- How do you establish the plan?
- How do employees open their accounts?
- How are contributions made?
- Does the brokerage provide reminders/help with contribution administration?
Fidelity, for example, says employers can make contributions online and that each eligible employee needs their own SEP IRA.
Employee requirements A SEP isn't simply a way for a business owner to put money away for themselves. Generally, contributions have to follow the SEP's rules for eligible employees. The employer contribution percentage generally has to be the same for eligible employees as for the owner.
Contribution flexibility SEP IRAs are attractive for businesses with variable income because contributions can be flexible from year to year. For 2026, the SEP contribution limit is generally the lesser of 25% of compensation or $72,000; self-employed individuals have special rules for calculating the applicable compensation/contribution. SEP plans don't permit employee salary-deferral contributions.
Ease of use If you're running a one-person business, this can be a surprisingly important consideration. Look for:
- Easy online contributions
- Simple account setup
- Good mobile/desktop experience
- Easy beneficiary changes
- Good customer service
- Clear tax documents
Tax/reporting support Understand exactly what you are responsible for versus what the brokerage handles. Fidelity, for example, advertises its SEP IRA as requiring no IRS filings or reporting by the account holder, but you still have business/tax responsibilities associated with establishing and funding the plan.

The big question: SEP IRA vs. Solo 401(k)

If you're self-employed with no employees other than possibly a spouse, don't automatically assume a SEP IRA is the best choice.

A Solo 401(k) can allow you to contribute in both an employee and employer capacity, whereas a SEP IRA generally only accepts employer contributions. Fidelity explicitly distinguishes the two this way.

So if your goal is maximizing retirement contributions while you're self-employed, I'd compare these two before opening anything.

My practical shortlist

For a straightforward SEP IRA, I'd start by comparing:

Fidelity Investments — strong combination of $0 SEP account fees, broad investments, and online administration.
Charles Schwab — also $0 SEP opening/maintenance fees and $0 minimum, with a broad brokerage platform.
Vanguard — worth considering particularly if your priority is low-cost index investing, though I'd compare its current SEP administration experience and fees directly with Fidelity/Schwab.

If I were narrowing it down, I'd make a spreadsheet with just these columns: SEP fees, employee fees, investment expense ratios, investment selection, contribution process, customer service, and Solo 401(k) availability.

If you tell me (1) whether you're a sole proprietor/LLC/S-corp, (2) roughly how much you expect to contribute, and (3) whether you have employees, I can compare Fidelity vs. Schwab vs. Vanguard vs. a Solo 401(k) and tell you which is likely the best fit.

Sources cited in this answer4

Google AI ModeOct 5, 2026

When choosing a brokerage to open a SEP IRA, you should look for zero account fees, a wide selection of low-cost investment options, and a streamlined digital setup process.

Low or Zero Fees: Look for brokerages that charge $0 account opening fees, $0 annual maintenance fees , and $0 commission fees on standard stock, exchange-traded fund (ETF), and online trades. Some platforms still charge annual fees for specific mutual funds or multi-person plans, so check the fine print if you have employees.[](https://www.finder.com/retirement/best-sep-ira)
Investment Selection: Ensure the brokerage offers a robust variety of asset classes, including stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds . If you prefer a hands-off approach, verify whether they offer automated investing or advisor services.
Employee Management (if applicable): If you have a small business with staff, choose a provider that supports multi-person SEP IRAs with easy digital onboarding, tracking, and streamlined employer contribution distribution.[](https://www.finder.com/retirement/best-sep-ira)
Ease of Use and Platform Tools: Look for a clean, intuitive interface, reliable mobile check deposits, electronic fund transfers (EFT), and robust retirement planning calculators or customer support.[](https://www.fidelity.com/retirement-ira/small-business/sep-ira)
Research and Educational Resources: Access to clear guidance on contribution limits (such as the limits for 2026 capped at $72,000 or 25% of compensation) and tax resources will make managing your annual deposits much easier.[](https://www.fidelity.com/retirement-ira/small-business/sep-ira)

If you'd like, let me know:

Whether you are self-employed with no employees or have a small team
What types of investments you plan to buy (ETFs, mutual funds, individual stocks)

I can recommend specific brokerages that fit your exact business setup.

Sources cited in this answer2

For a freelancer with no employer-sponsored retirement plan, I’d prioritize a solo 401(k) with no recurring account fees, no trading commissions for index funds, and a straightforward online application.

The best provider depends on whether you want the easiest setup, the lowest long-term cost, or the flexibility to invest in a broad range of low-cost index funds. Also, a solo 401(k) is generally available if you have self-employment income and no eligible employees other than a spouse.

My top pick: Fidelity Investments

(Best overall)

Fidelity Self-Employed 401(k)

$0

Account fees · No minimum account balance

Fidelity offers online setup, traditional and Roth contribution options, and access to stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. Its standard plan doesn't offer participant loans.

Open Fidelity's official plan page

Why I'd choose it: if you simply want to make regular contributions and invest in low-cost index funds without paying a plan-administration fee, Fidelity is a strong combination of simplicity, cost, and investment choice. It also offers some index mutual funds with a 0% expense ratio, although those aren't necessarily the best fit for every portfolio.

How the leading providers compare

These are the three mainstream providers I'd compare first for a basic, self-directed solo 401(k). The $0 figures refer to standard plan/account fees, not every possible investment or service cost.

1. Fidelity

$0 setup/account fees

Best for easy online opening and ultra-low-cost index mutual funds. Offers traditional and Roth contributions; no participant loans under its standard plan.

Plan details and application

2. Charles Schwab

$0 standard plan/account fees

A great alternative if you prefer ETFs or Schwab mutual funds. Online stock and ETF trades are commission-free; fund expense ratios and some transaction fees may still apply.

Schwab Individual 401(k)

3. E*TRADE

$0 standard plan/account fees

Worth considering if you want a participant-loan feature alongside conventional index-fund investing. Verify the current plan documents and eligibility before opening.

E*TRADE Individual 401(k)

What will you actually pay?

Your total cost has two parts:

Plan and trading fees: Fidelity, Schwab, and ETRADE offer basic solo 401(k) plans with $0 standard account fees. ETRADE also lists $0 online commissions for many stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds.
Fund expense ratios: These are the ongoing costs charged by the investments themselves. For example, a fund charging 0.03% costs about $3 per year for every $10,000 invested; a fund charging 0.10% costs about $10.

You don't need to pay an advisor or buy a managed portfolio to invest in index funds.

Three things to check before opening the account

Traditional versus Roth contributions. Traditional contributions may reduce taxable income today; Roth contributions are made after tax and may qualify for tax-free withdrawals later.
Special features. If you want participant loans or advanced after-tax contributions for a mega-backdoor Roth strategy, check the plan documents carefully. A basic, low-fee plan may not support these features.
Ongoing paperwork. The plan owner is responsible for administration and applicable tax filings. Generally, a one-participant plan must file Form 5500-EZ when combined plan assets exceed $250,000 at year-end, with an exception for the final plan year.

For 2026, the standard solo 401(k) contribution limit is $72,000 before eligible catch-up contributions, subject to compensation and other applicable rules.

My bottom line: Start by comparing Fidelity's Self-Employed 401(k) and Schwab's Individual 401(k). I'd lean toward Fidelity for a straightforward, low-cost index-fund portfolio, and choose E*TRADE instead if its participant-loan feature matters to you.

One important question before you commit: Do you operate as a sole proprietor/LLC, or do you pay yourself through an S corporation? That can affect contribution calculations and the setup details you should prioritize.

Sources cited in this answer10

If you're choosing a brokerage for a SEP IRA, I’d prioritize ongoing investment costs and flexibility over small differences in account fees. For a long-term retirement account, a 0.25%–0.50% annual fee can matter far more than a $20 account charge.

What I’d prioritize

Low-cost investment options — highest priority
- Look for broad, low-cost index ETFs/mutual funds.
- Pay attention to the expense ratio of the funds, not just the brokerage's advertised $0 commissions.
- Ideally, you want plenty of diversified funds with expense ratios around 0.05%–0.20% or lower.
- Fidelity, for example, currently offers several 0%-expense-ratio index mutual funds, although you should still compare the funds' investment characteristics rather than choosing solely on the headline fee.
$0 account/maintenance fees
- This is increasingly standard. Fidelity and Schwab currently advertise $0 account fees, while Vanguard's comparison page notes a $20 annual account-service fee in some circumstances.
- A $20 fee isn't necessarily a deal-breaker, particularly if it can be waived, but there's little reason to pay it if everything else is comparable.
Investment selection Make sure you can buy the things you actually want:
- Total U.S. stock-market index
- International-stock index
- Bond index
- Treasury funds/individual Treasuries
- Target-date funds, if desired
- CDs or money-market funds, if useful
Fidelity, Schwab and Vanguard all offer broad brokerage investment choices, with $0 online stock/ETF commissions currently advertised.
Easy SEP contributions

This is more important than it sounds if you're self-employed. Check how easy it is to:
- Make employer contributions
- Schedule or initiate contributions
- Track contributions by tax year
- Handle contributions made after year-end but before your tax-return deadline
The IRS allows a SEP to be established as late as the business's tax-return due date, including extensions, and contributions generally must be made by that deadline to be deductible.
Good tax-documentation and administrative support

If you have employees, I'd put this considerably higher on the list. SEP contributions generally have to follow the plan's allocation rules, and contributions generally must be the same percentage of compensation for eligible participants.
Robo-advisor/advice fees — only if you'll use them

If you want someone/something to manage the portfolio, compare the advisory fee separately from fund expenses. For example, Fidelity Go currently charges 0% below $25,000 and 0.35% annually at $25,000+.

A simple way I'd rank the criteria

Factor	Priority
Fund/ETF expense ratios	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Account/maintenance fees	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Investment selection	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of SEP contributions	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Customer service/tools	⭐⭐⭐
Automated investing/advice	⭐⭐⭐
Branch availability

One important point: don't overemphasize trading commissions. If you're buying a few diversified ETFs and holding them for decades, the difference between $0 and a small trading commission is usually trivial. An ongoing 0.50% advisory fee or a 0.75% fund expense ratio is much more consequential.

For context, the IRS says the SEP contribution limit rises to $72,000 for 2026, subject to the applicable compensation percentage rules, so investment costs can become particularly meaningful if you're making large annual contributions.

My practical shortlist: I'd start by comparing Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard for a self-directed SEP IRA. All three are capable choices; I'd then pick based on the specific funds you intend to hold, total ongoing costs, and how easy the SEP administration is for your situation.

Fidelity SEP IRA · Charles Schwab IRA/pricing ·

If you tell me roughly how much you expect to put into the SEP each year and whether you're self-employed with no employees or have employees, I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 choices and show the fee difference in dollars.

Sources cited in this answer6

When selecting a financial institution or custodian to open your SEP IRA, the core tax and contribution rules remain identical regardless of where you go . However, the platform experience, cost, and ease of administration can vary significantly.[](https://www.finder.com/retirement/best-sep-ira)

The key features to compare when evaluating providers include:

Fees and Commissions: Look out for account setup fees, annual maintenance fees, and trading commissions. Many major brokerages (like Fidelity Investments or Charles Schwab ) feature $0 online stock, ETF, and standard mutual fund trades with zero annual account fees, while other boutique or robo-advisor platforms may charge management or advisory fees.[](https://www.finder.com/retirement/best-sep-ira)
Investment Selection: Check what asset classes the platform allows you to trade. If you want a hands-on approach with individual stocks, international equities, options, or a broad choice of low-cost index funds and ETFs, a traditional brokerage is ideal. If you prefer a hands-off approach, a robo-advisor like Wealthfront might be preferable.[](https://www.finder.com/retirement/best-sep-ira)
Ease of Employee Administration: If you have employees (remember that a SEP IRA requires you to make proportional contributions for eligible employees), look at how easy the provider makes batch or direct employer funding. Some platforms offer better employer dashboards and customer service to handle multi-account contributions seamlessly.[](https://www.finder.com/retirement/best-sep-ira)
Account Minimums: Verify if there are minimum deposit requirements to open the account or to waive certain administrative or advisory fees.[](https://www.finder.com/retirement/best-sep-ira)
Research and Tools: Evaluate the quality of the platform's educational resources, retirement calculators, and analytical screening tools to help manage your portfolio over the long term.

If you'd like to narrow down your options, let me know:

Are you self-employed with no employees , or do you have employees you need to cover?
Do you prefer a hands-on investment style (stocks/ETFs) or a hands-off automated (robo-advisor) approach?

I can give you a more tailored recommendation based on your preferences.

Sources cited in this answer1

finder.com5 Best SEP IRA Providers of September 2026

Fund	What it covers	Expense ratio
Fidelity Total Market Index (FSKAX)	Essentially the U.S. stock market	0.015%
Fidelity 500 Index (FXAIX)	S&P 500	0.015%
Fidelity ZERO Total Market (FZROX)	U.S. total market	0%
Fidelity ZERO International (FZILX)	International stocks	0%

Most-mentioned brands

Latest insights

Recommendations by AI engine

Questions by topic3

Sources AI cites5

See where your brand stands in this ranking

Related markets

Online Stock & Options Brokers

See where your brand stands in this ranking

Questions by topic3

🥇 My pick: Fidelity

🥈 Schwab: arguably the best alternative

What I'd actually invest in

One important SEP-IRA consideration

Sources cited in this answer6

Top Brokerage Comparison for SEP IRAs

Sources cited in this answer5

What to compare

The big question: SEP IRA vs. Solo 401(k)

My practical shortlist

Sources cited in this answer4

Sources cited in this answer2

Fees to Prioritize and Avoid

The 7 key features to compare

My top pick: Fidelity Investments

$0

How the leading providers compare

What will you actually pay?

Three things to check before opening the account

Sources cited in this answer10

Sources cited in this answer1

My preferred approach

Where I'd look first

Features to Prioritize

Sources cited in this answer5

What I’d prioritize

A simple way I'd rank the criteria

Sources cited in this answer6

Which providers should you compare?

A practical comparison checklist

Let’s narrow it down to your situation

Sources cited in this answer15

Sources cited in this answer1

A simple portfolio

Traditional vs. Roth Solo 401(k)

One thing freelancers frequently get wrong

Timing matters in 2026

Sources cited in this answer7

1. Choose a Low-Cost Brokerage Provider

2. Select Your Ultra-Low-Cost Index Funds

3. Automate and Execute the Workflow

Sources cited in this answer3