Frequently asked questions.
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About your move to Schwab | Account access | Account information & settings | Accounts & assets | Education & research | Moving money | Tax information | Trading & investing | Service & support | Pricing & fees | Contact us
About your move to Schwab
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We're committed to making sure everyone's transition to Schwab is as simple and smooth as possible. So rather than move every single account all at once, we plan on transitioning accounts in groups on different dates.
We'll let you know your assigned transition date about three months in advance, either by email or mail, depending on your communication preferences. At that time, you'll also see your transition date when you're logged in at tdameritrade.com. You won't be able to change your transition group or ask to move your account at a different date.
Additionally, throughout your transition period, you'll receive communications with resources to help you prepare for your move to Schwab and information on any actions you need to take.
After your account transitions, you'll be able to take advantage of all the benefits that come with the integration of Schwab and TD Ameritrade.
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In most cases, all your accounts at TD Ameritrade will move to Schwab at the same time. There are some scenarios where we may need to move your accounts over multiple transition weekends. If this applies to you, we will communicate the individual transition dates for each of your accounts three months before their scheduled moves.
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All your assets (cash and positions), your open orders, and most of your settings, instructions, and preferences will move to Schwab automatically and securely. There is nothing for you to do now.
Closer to your account transition date, we'll contact you with information about your transition and any steps to take.
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If you would prefer that your TD Ameritrade account not move to Schwab, you must do one of two things:
- Transfer your account to another firm by the Friday one week prior to your scheduled transition. The new broker-dealer will initiate the transfer by Automated Customer Account Transfer ("ACAT"). ACAT transfers typically take 3–5 days to complete. TD Ameritrade won't charge Outbound Full Account Transfer fees should you wish to transfer your account to another broker before your account moves to Schwab. After your account moves to Schwab, if you decide to move it to another broker, Schwab will automatically waive the Transfer Out fees for at least 90 days after your account transition is complete.
Note: TD Ameritrade won't charge Outbound Full Account Transfer fees should you wish to move your account to another broker before your account moves to Schwab. After your account moves to Schwab, if you decide to move it to another broker, Schwab will waive the Transfer Out fees for at least 90 days after your account transition is complete.
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- Close your account and withdraw your balance. You'll first have to liquidate all of your open positions by the Monday of the week of your transition. Then, you'll need to contact TD Ameritrade by 1 p.m. ET on the Thursday, one day prior to the start of your transition weekend, to request funds from your account either by electronic transfer (ACH)—for which you'll need bank instructions on file prior to this date—or by requesting a check or wire.
You'll receive a communication about 60 days ahead of your account transition date with more details and deadlines. If you need help or support, call Client Services at +1-415-667-8400* from 6 a.m. ET to 9 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
- Transfer your account to another firm by the Friday one week prior to your scheduled transition. The new broker-dealer will initiate the transfer by Automated Customer Account Transfer ("ACAT"). ACAT transfers typically take 3–5 days to complete. TD Ameritrade won't charge Outbound Full Account Transfer fees should you wish to transfer your account to another broker before your account moves to Schwab. After your account moves to Schwab, if you decide to move it to another broker, Schwab will automatically waive the Transfer Out fees for at least 90 days after your account transition is complete.
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If you want to move your TD Ameritrade account to Schwab now, you can. However, you should be aware that if you move your account now, you'll lose your account history, preferences, historical documents, and move money instructions. If you wait for your assigned transition date, we'll move all this information over for you automatically.
If you do prefer to move your account to Schwab earlier, the easiest way is by opening an account online on the Schwab website and initiating the transfer process. TD Ameritrade won't charge Outbound Full Account Transfer fees to move your account early.
If you've already started the transfer process to Schwab, go ahead and complete the transfer as planned, and let us be the first to say, "Welcome to Schwab!" -
Until your TD Ameritrade account transition date:
- You'll continue to manage your accounts at TD Ameritrade and Schwab separately.
- If you have updates to make on your accounts, such as your address or phone number, you'll make them at each firm individually.
- You'll call TD Ameritrade for questions on your TD Ameritrade account, and Schwab for questions about your Schwab account.
About a month before your transition date, you'll receive a notice in the Schwab Message Center with a link to preview a list of your TD Ameritrade accounts moving to Schwab. You'll need to log in on the Schwab website using your existing Schwab Login ID and password info to view your notice.
After your accounts transition to Schwab, they'll appear on the Accounts Summary page with your other Schwab accounts. You'll use your existing Schwab Login ID and password to access, manage, and trade in all of your Schwab accounts across Schwab platforms. -
Your account will transition over a weekend, which means you'll continue to be able to access and trade in your account whenever the market is open. Beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET on that Friday, your account will be temporarily unavailable while we begin the process to automatically and securely move it over to Schwab. After that point, you'll no longer be able to log in to TD Ameritrade platforms.
On the day the market opens after your transition weekend, starting at about 5:00 a.m. ET, you'll have access to your accounts again on Schwab platforms. Use your Schwab Login ID and password to log in on the Schwab website, the Schwab Mobile app, or thinkorswim® (when available later in 2023) to see your balances, positions, and other account information, and trade in your account.
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Our security procedures are designed, tested, and implemented to ensure the safety of your account, personal information, and financial assets. This remains a priority at both firms, now and through your account transition.
We want you to have the highest level of confidence when you do business with Schwab. Learn more about our Security Guarantee.
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We earn your trust every day by keeping your assets and information safe. Doing so will continue to be a priority at both firms, through security procedures that are designed, tested, and implemented to ensure the safety of your account, personal information, and financial assets.
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Yes, you can continue to open TD Ameritrade accounts. However, any new TD Ameritrade accounts opened around or after the time you're notified of your transition date will not move to Schwab with your other account(s). Those accounts will move to Schwab at a later date. You'll be notified of your assigned transition date about three months ahead of time. You can avoid this situation by opening your new account at Schwab instead.
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Most of your account features and settings will transition to Schwab. Below are exceptions, along with steps you can take to be prepared.
- Your user ID and password. About one month before your transition, we will give you instructions to create a Schwab Login ID and password. Use these to access all Schwab platforms after your account moves. If you already have a Schwab account, you can skip this step.
- Research screeners. Download your saved screens to a spreadsheet to save them for future reference. Log in to tdameritrade.com from a desktop or laptop computer, go to the Screeners page, and select Export data. After your transition, set up stock, options, and ETF screeners at Schwab.
- Balance history chart. Download your balance history chart data to a spreadsheet to save it for future reference. Log in to tdameritrade.com from a desktop or laptop computer, go to Balances > Balance History, and select Export history.
- Alerts and notifications. Alerts cannot be downloaded but you can make note of any alerts you've set at TD Ameritrade and then set up alerts at Schwab after your account moves.
- Mobile watchlists. Log in to the TD Ameritrade Mobile app to confirm that your watchlists are saved to the server and not to your mobile device. Any watchlists saved to your device will not move to Schwab.
- Open order details. Most open orders will move to Schwab. The order types that will NOT move are conditional orders, trailing stop orders, and direct routed orders. Save the details of these orders before your account moves so you can reestablish them at Schwab if desired. You will NOT be able to be reestablish One Triggers Two (OTT), One Triggers One Triggers Another (OT/OTA), and direct routed orders.
- Order history. Complete details on filled orders can be found on your trade confirmations, which will move to Schwab. Abbreviated details on filled orders will appear on the Schwab website and Schwab Mobile transaction history. To save additional order details, including cancelled orders, you can export 60 days of order history to a spreadsheet. Log in to tdameritrade.com from a desktop or laptop computer, go to Trade > Order Status, set the filter to past 60 days, and select Export data at the top of the page.
- Education courses. Be sure to finish any courses you are working on, as your progress will reset after your account moves.
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When you log in to Schwab for the first time, visit the Welcome Center and review what transferred over, confirm your profile, and update your account features.
- Reestablish direct debit/payments: If you have direct debit instructions for payments out of your TD Ameritrade account set up at another financial institution, you'll need to reestablish those instructions with that financial institution after your account has moved to Schwab using the routing number and Demand Deposit Account (DDA) number for your Schwab account. The routing number and DDA number are different from your Schwab account number and can be found on your new Schwab checks.
- Update direct deposits: If you have direct deposits set up with a third party to your TD Ameritrade account, you'll need to update instructions directly with the third party with your new Schwab account number and routing numbers. You'll receive both when your account transitions to Schwab.
- Link to third-party accounts: If you've given someone an authorized role on your account at TD Ameritrade, that authorization may or may not transition to Schwab. Here's how roles will transition and steps you may need to take after your account moves:
- Limited Trading Authority roles (which allow trading access) and Power of Attorney roles established at TD Ameritrade will move to Schwab. There is nothing you need to do, as these roles will move automatically.
- Full Trading Authority roles (which allow trading and move money access) will transition as Limited Trading Authority. To allow someone to move money in and out of your Schwab account, you'll need to reestablish Full Trading Authority after your account moves to Schwab by visiting schwab.com/accountaccess.
- Account Inquiry roles (which allow for inquiries into your account by phone but no ability to take action) will not transition to Schwab. If you want someone to be able to see your account information but not be able to trade or move money in or out of your account at Schwab, you can grant "View Only" access after your account moves to Schwab by visiting schwab.com/accountaccess.
At Schwab, people with View Only, Limited Trading Authority, Full Trading Authority, or Power of Attorney roles will have phone and digital access to your account, so they'll need to set up their own Schwab Login ID and password.
You should update these instructions as soon as possible after your move to Schwab, but any existing instructions will continue to process for at least 30 days after your transition.
Account access
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Yes. If you're new to Schwab, you'll need to set up a Schwab Login ID and password to access your account after it transitions.
About a month before your transition date, you'll be sent an email or letter asking you to set up your Schwab Login ID and password. Instructions will also be provided when you're logged in at tdameritrade.com. It should take about 5 minutes to set up your login info.
When you set up your Schwab login info, you'll be able to preview a list of your TD Ameritrade accounts that are moving to Schwab. You won't see the assets in your Schwab account until after your transition is complete.
It's recommended that you set up your login info before your account transitions so you're ready to go on day one at Schwab. If your account has multiple owners or authorized parties, each individual will need to set up their own Login ID and password to be able to view and trade on the account. For more information about setting up your Schwab login info, please visit the Client Information Hub.
If you already have an account at Schwab, please visit the Already a Schwab client? page, on the Client Information Hub.
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At TD Ameritrade, each account has a user ID and password, which can be used by either account owner to access the account. If you have multiple accounts at TD Ameritrade, you must digitally link the accounts together so that you can access all your accounts by logging in with one user ID and password.
At Schwab, login info is tied to an individual person. Each Schwab client has their own unique Login ID and password, which automatically link all the accounts that they own or are authorized to access. When you log in to the Schwab website or the Schwab Mobile app, you will see all of your accounts together on your Accounts Summary page. You only ever need to set up one set of credentials.
For detailed information about Schwab Login IDs, please visit the Client Information Hub.
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To access your account after it transitions, visit the Schwab website and log in using your Schwab Login ID and password. Each person associated with the account must create their own unique login info and you can use it to login across all platforms, including Schwab.com, Schwab Mobile app, and thinkorswim®. (thinkorswim will be available at Schwab later in 2023. And, if you currently trade with the thinkorswim® suite of platforms, in most cases your account won’t move until after thinkorswim is available at Schwab.)
Your account will transition to Schwab over a weekend. On the day the market opens after your transition weekend, starting at about 5 a.m. ET, you—and anyone with an authorized role—will be able to log in on Schwab platforms and access your account.
After 8:30 p.m. ET on the Friday of your transition weekend, you'll no longer be able to access accounts that are moving on tdameritrade.com or on the TD Ameritrade Mobile app.
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Yes. To get anytime, anywhere access to your account on the Schwab Mobile app once your account transitions:
- Download the Schwab Mobile app from the App Store® or Google Play™.
- Log in to the app with your Schwab Login ID and password.
You'll receive information on how to set up your Schwab login info before your account transition date. If you already have a Schwab account, you'll use your existing Schwab Login ID and password.
Once on the app, you'll be able to view real-time, streaming market data, get breaking news on your positions, get quotes and place trades, view watchlists, and monitor orders and positions with tools optimized for tablets and smartphones.
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Your account will transition to Schwab over a weekend. On the day the market opens following your transition weekend, starting at 5 a.m. ET, you'll be able to access your accounts for the first time on the Schwab website, the Schwab Mobile app, and thinkorswim®.
thinkorswim will be available at Schwab later in 2023. And, if you currently trade with the thinkorswim® suite of platforms, in most cases your account won’t move until after thinkorswim is available at Schwab.
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There's no need to link accounts at Schwab. All accounts that you have digital access to, including those that you have an authorized role on (e.g., Limited or Full Trading Authority, Power of Attorney, etc.), will be viewable on your Accounts Summary page when you log in to the Schwab website after your transition is complete.
If you are currently linked to an account at TD Ameritrade but you aren't the account owner and don't have an authorized role, you'll no longer be able to view that account or transact in that account at Schwab. The account owner will need to grant you formal authorization after the account moves—either Limited Trading Authority (LTA), Full Trading Authority (FTA), View Only access, or Power of Attorney (POA)—by visiting schwab.com/accountaccess.
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If the digital access you granted was to a person with an authorized role on your account, including Limited Trading Authority, Full Trading Authority, or Power of Attorney, they'll continue to have digital access to your account once it has moved to Schwab.
If you've set the person up with an Account Inquiry role or they do not have an authorized role, they won't have access to your account after it moves to Schwab. Each person authorized to access the account must have their own Schwab Login ID and password.
If you are currently linked to an account at TD Ameritrade but aren't the account owner and don't have an authorized role, you'll no longer be able to view that account at Schwab. The account owner will need to grant you formal authorization after the account moves—either Limited Trading Authority (LTA), Full Trading Authority (FTA), View Only access, or Power of Attorney (POA).
To give someone access to your account once your account has moved to Schwab, go to schwab.com/accountaccess. From there, you'll be able to start the process of adding a person to your account.
Please note: In order to use this process, all account owners must have an email address on file. If you do not have an email address on file at Schwab, you can add one at schwab.com/myprofile.
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If you've given someone an authorized role on your account at TD Ameritrade, here are the ways each role will transition and the steps you may need to take after your account moves:
- Limited Trading Authority roles (which allow trading access) and Power of Attorney roles established at TD Ameritrade will move to Schwab. There is nothing you need to do, as these roles will move automatically.
- Full Trading Authority roles (which allow trading and move money access) will transition as Limited Trading Authority. To allow someone to move money in and out of your Schwab account, you'll need to reestablish Full Trading Authority after your account has moved to Schwab by visiting schwab.com/accountaccess.
- Account Inquiry roles (which allow for inquiries into your account by phone but no ability to take action) will not transition to Schwab. If you want someone to be able to see your account information but not be able to trade or move money in or out of your account at Schwab, you can grant "View Only" access after your account transitions by visiting schwab.com/accountaccess.
At Schwab, people with View Only, Limited Trading Authority, Full Trading Authority, or Power of Attorney roles will have phone and digital access to your account, so they'll need to set up their own Schwab Login ID and password.
Please note: In order to add or change an access authorization at schwab.com/accountaccess, all account owners must have an email address on file. If you do not have an email address on file at Schwab, you can add one at schwab.com/myprofile.
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Yes, because your account numbers will be changing, any links you have to third-party aggregators won't work once your TD Ameritrade account transitions.
If you would like to continue using a third-party aggregator once your account is at Schwab, you'll need go to the third-party app or website and start the process to add your Schwab account. Select Charles Schwab & Co. as the financial institution and you will be prompted to log in using your Schwab Login ID and password. Next, follow the steps to link your Schwab account to the aggregator. If you have any questions or encounter any difficulties when linking your Schwab account, contact the customer service team for the third-party aggregator directly.
As an alternative, you may want to consider Schwab's free aggregation service. Once enrolled, you can you link your non-Schwab accounts—including investment and bank accounts, credit cards, loans, mortgages, and real estate from over 15,000 financial institutions—on the Schwab website and view them all on the Accounts Summary page. The information is automatically updated, so you can easily monitor your overall portfolio in one place.
Account information & settings
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Yes. You'll be issued a new Schwab account number for each of your accounts that transitions.
You'll see your new account number(s) after your account transitions, when you log in at the Schwab website and view your Accounts Summary page. You'll also receive a package in the mail or an email with important account information, including your new account number(s).
If you've provided your TD Ameritrade account number(s) to an employer, bank, or other third party for the purposes of moving money in and out of your account, you'll need to reestablish those instructions with your new Schwab account number(s) after your account transition is complete.
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Yes. Once your account has transitioned to Schwab, you'll be able to access:
- Up to ten years of historical tax documents, brokerage statements, and trade confirmations via the Statements tab on the Schwab website by navigating to Accounts > Statements.
- Up to four years of transaction history via the History tab on the Schwab website by navigating to Accounts > History. Your TD Ameritrade history will be shown under your Schwab account number, along with the recent transaction history for that account.
- Realized gain/loss data via a link on the Realized Gains/Loss page on the Schwab website. The information will be available for at least two years after your move to Schwab.
- Historical balance information via historical TD Ameritrade statements on the Statements tab. Your Personal Value Chart on the Accounts Summary page of the Schwab website and the Schwab Mobile app will only reflect your account balance history from the date your transition to Schwab is complete. It will start to populate about three days after your move.
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Complete details on filled orders can be found on your Trade Confirms, which we'll move over to Schwab for you. You can also find abbreviated details on filled orders on the Schwab website or Schwab mobile transaction history. (Please note that trade confirms for trades executed on the Friday of transition weekend will be sent via paper delivery. Once your account moves to Schwab, your paper/paperless preference will be honored.)
Order history for changed or canceled orders will not move over to Schwab. If you have any questions or need those details, you can export 60 days of history to a spreadsheet. Just log in to your TD Ameritrade account, select Trade > Order Status, and set the filter to "past 60 days." Then select "Export data" on the top of the page.
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In the month after your account has transitioned to Schwab, you'll receive two statements:
- One from TD Ameritrade likely showing a $0 balance since your positions and cash have moved to Schwab
- One from Schwab displaying the full account balance of your moved account
In the months that follow, if there is any activity in your closed TD Ameritrade account, you'll receive a statement reflecting that activity from TD Ameritrade.
Statements will be delivered based on your preferred method of delivery. If you receive paperless statements, you can access them on the Schwab website as soon as they're available.
Up to 10 years of past TD Ameritrade statements will be available to view on the Schwab website once your account has transitioned.
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Certain text alerts and/or email notifications set up at tdameritrade.com or on the TD Ameritrade Mobile app won't transition, including:
- Notifications for tax forms, money transfers, courtesy order fills, intraday risk, and margin calls set up under Client Services > My Profile > Communication Preferences
- Market, portfolio, and price alerts you set up in the Research & Ideas > Alerts section
Alerts you set up in thinkorswim® will remain active when your account moves to Schwab.
You'll be able to set up a range of alerts and notifications at Schwab, once your account transitions, by logging in to the Schwab website and selecting the Profile icon on the top right corner of the screen.
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Your full history of Realized Gain/Loss information for your TD Ameritrade account will be available on the Schwab website by visiting Accounts > History and selecting the Realized Gain/Loss tab, and then clicking the GainsKeeper link for the appropriate account. This information will be available for at least two years after your move to Schwab. Your Realized Gain/Loss information is also available in historical TD Ameritrade account statements, which are accessible through the Statements tab on the Schwab website.
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Your paperless preferences will automatically transition from TD Ameritrade to Schwab, which means:
- Account documents currently set for e-delivery will continue to be emailed to you if:
- You create your Schwab login before your account transitions;
- You create your Schwab login within three months after your account transitions, or;
- You already have an existing Schwab login.
Account documents currently set for paper delivery will continue to be mailed to you.
To review or update your paperless selections now, log in at tdameritrade.com and go to My Profile > Communication Preferences. Once your account transitions, you'll need to log in to the Schwab website > select the Profile icon at the top right corner of your screen > Paperless.
- Account documents currently set for e-delivery will continue to be emailed to you if:
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When your account moves to Schwab, you'll automatically be opted in to receive marketing communications as permitted by local law and regulations, which will allow Schwab to share your information with affiliates. After your account transitions, you can opt out of future marketing emails by clicking a link at the bottom of an email you receive. To opt out of affiliate sharing, you'll need to call a Schwab representative.
You'll be provided with Schwab's privacy policy before your account transitions, so you'll know how your information will be used and shared.
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We're moving nearly all your account information, assets, open orders, cost basis, move money instructions, and history. However, certain account profile information, account authorizations, investment settings and instructions, move money profiles and instructions, and historical documents and information won't make the move. Additionally, the details of any important trades as order history for filled, changed, and canceled orders will not move with your account. Learn more about what is and is not moving.
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Most accounts with beneficiaries will transition to Schwab, but some account types were eligible for beneficiaries at TD Ameritrade and are not eligible for beneficiaries at Schwab. After your account moves to Schwab, we encourage you to check your beneficiaries by logging in to the Schwab website and selecting the Profile icon > Beneficiaries. The account types and registrations at Schwab that are ineligible for beneficiaries include:
- Community property and tenancy in common registrations
- Corporate and non-incorporated organization accounts
- Custodial accounts
- Investment club accounts
Additionally, beneficiaries designations for Guardianship, Conservatorship, All Tenants by Entirety, and some 401(k) accounts will be noted as on file and processed upon the account holder(s) death but will not be viewable online.
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If your TD Ameritrade trust account has more than one trustee, each trustee will be authorized to act independently at Schwab. That means one trustee can act without the consent of other trustees when it comes to account activity and move money requests.
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Trusted Contacts that you've already designated for your TD Ameritrade account will transition over to Schwab. We encourage you to check your Trusted Contacts after your account transitions by logging in to the Schwab website and select the Profile icon > Account Access > Trusted Contact tab.
A Trusted Contact is someone other than the account owner who Schwab may contact if there are questions or concerns about your whereabouts or health status, if Schwab suspects that you may be the victim of fraud or financial exploitation or that you might not be able to handle your financial affairs, or to confirm the identity of an authorized individual on your account.
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For some account types, Schwab uses different terminology than TD Ameritrade. However, the account type remains the same. For example, a UGMA/UTMA account at TD Ameritrade is called a Custodial Account at Schwab.
Accounts & assets
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TD Ameritrade and Charles Schwab offer similar account types and investment and trading products.
While most common account types, products, and investments will transition automatically to Schwab, there are exceptions. If you hold a specific TD Ameritrade offering that is not moving to Schwab, you'll be notified ahead of time of alternatives and any actions you may need to take.
If you're wondering about thinkorswim®, the innovative suite of trading platforms available on desktop, mobile, and web-it will be moving over later in 2023. All the thinkorswim educational resources, analysis tools, research features, and virtual trading on paperMoney® will be moving too.
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Yes, if you stored your physical securities at TD Ameritrade, they'll be transferred to Schwab at the time your account moves to Schwab.
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For equity cash dividends:
- Where the record date is prior to your move to Schwab and payment is after your move to Schwab, the dividend will be paid as cash in your former TD Ameritrade account and swept overnight to your Schwab account via the daily cash residual process. The cash will NOT be reinvested per dividend instructions.
- Where the record date is after your move to Schwab, the dividend will be paid to the transitioned Schwab account and will follow any reinvestment instructions you have set up.
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Any payments or assets deposited into your TD Ameritrade account after it has transitioned will be transferred to your Schwab account. After your account moves to Schwab, cash payments will be transferred nightly, and assets will be transferred weekly. After the first month, assets will be transferred monthly, while cash payments will continue daily.
Residual activity from dividends, interest, and interest credit will be transferred to your Schwab account. Please note that this residual will not be distributed via your payment instruction (if you have one set up). Additionally, any other residual activity from dividends, interest, and interest credits will not be distributed via your Pay Income instructions, but any other regular activity after your transition will follow your existing instructions.
If you own a security that is currently going through a corporate action, has a legal restriction, or is a recent purchase or transfer of an alternative investment, it may take additional time to show up in your Schwab account. Once the event or restriction is cleared, the security will automatically transfer to your Schwab account.
You can view any residual account activity in your Transaction History by logging on to the Schwab website, navigating to Accounts > History > Transactions. Residual activity will be tagged with "TDA TRAN" to indicate any payments or assets moving into your Schwab account from your TD Ameritrade account after your account has moved to Schwab. You'll also receive a statement from TD Ameritrade for any period with residual activity.
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Any withdrawals from your TD Ameritrade account after it has transitioned to Schwab will be moved from your new Schwab account to your TD Ameritrade account. For the first month after your account moves to Schwab, cash payments will be transferred on a nightly basis and assets will be transferred weekly. They'll then be transferred monthly after that first month.
You can view any residual account activity in your Transaction History by logging on to the Schwab website > History > Transactions. Residual activity will be tagged with "TDA TRAN" to indicate any payments or assets moving into your Schwab account from your TD Ameritrade account after your account has moved to Schwab. You'll also receive a statement from TD Ameritrade for any period with residual activity.
Education & research
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Both TD Ameritrade and Schwab understand the importance of investing and trading education. While not all of the educational resources are transitioning to Schwab, you'll still have access to much of the content from TD Ameritrade, like curated learning paths and courses. Plus, you'll now have additional content from Schwab, including articles, videos, podcasts, newsletters, and events covering investing, trading, and personal finance topics for all types of investors.
Though your education experience will be similar to what you had at TD Ameritrade, your education course progress and history won't transition to Schwab. That means if you've already completed certain content modules or courses at TD Ameritrade or are in the process of taking a course, you'll no longer see that information after your account transitions.
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Yes. thinkorswim® is moving to Schwab later in 2023, and so is the thinkorswim Learning Center. You'll have access to all its tutorials, guides, and references that help you use the technical analysis tools, customize and trade on the platform, and keep you up to date on the latest innovations.
Note: If you currently trade with the thinkorswim® suite of platforms, in most cases your account won't move until after thinkorswim is available at Schwab.
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Schwab offers in-depth research from industry-respected third parties, including Morningstar, CFRA, MarketEdge®, and Argus. Plus, proprietary Schwab research, including Sector Views, Select List® reports, and Schwab Equity Ratings®. Once your transition is complete, you can visit the Research tab on the Schwab website to sign up for the reports that are most relevant to you and have them sent directly to your inbox.
In addition, from the experts at the Schwab Center for Financial Research, you'll have access to free-from-hype perspectives and timely insights on topics that matter to you. This includes the day's market happenings, the economy, financial and retirement planning, portfolio management, sector views, equity ratings, and ETF selections, trader outlook, options, futures, and investment strategy.
Third-party research may have a nominal fee. Research from Schwab is always included with your brokerage account at no additional charge. And all of this is part of the comprehensive research experience waiting for you once your account transition is complete.
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TD Ameritrade Network is now Schwab Network™. Get the same market news and trader insights you know and love, with a fresh new look. Live streaming every market day, Schwab Network, our media affiliate*, features financial news, interviews, and market analysis. Watch it on the official Schwab Network site, through the thinkorswim® suite of platforms, and a variety of other ways.
Market Minute newsletter subscribers will continue to get commentary and clips about what’s moving the market delivered to their inbox daily. They won’t need to resubscribe.
Moving money
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Most of your move money profiles and instructions will transition to Schwab without you having to do anything. We encourage you to log in after your account transition is complete to check that everything is set up as expected.
If you had direct deposit (e.g., paychecks from your employer or Social Security payments) set up to your TD Ameritrade account, you'll need to update instructions directly with the third party, providing your new Schwab account and routing numbers. You'll receive both numbers when your account transitions to Schwab.
If you have direct payments set up to another financial institution, you'll need to reestablish these after your transition using your new Schwab routing number and Demand Deposit Account (DDA) number, or checking number, found on your new Schwab checks. If you do not have checks, you will receive this information after your account moves to Schwab.
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Yes, if you have direct deposits set up to your TD Ameritrade account (like paychecks from your employer or Social Security payments), you'll need to update instructions directly with the third party, providing your new Schwab account and routing numbers. You'll receive both numbers when your account transitions to Schwab.
To avoid any delays in funds posting to your Schwab account, you're encouraged to identify direct deposits ahead of time and provide updates as soon as possible after your transition. Until instructions are updated, the funds will first be deposited to your old TD Ameritrade account, and then moved to your new Schwab account in one to two days.
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If you have direct debit instructions for payments out of your TD Ameritrade account set up at another financial institution, you'll need to reestablish those instructions with that financial institution or vendor, after your account has moved to Schwab using the routing number and Demand Deposit Account (DDA) number for your Schwab account. The routing number and DDA number are different from your Schwab account number and can be found on your new Schwab checks. If you do not have checks, you will receive this information after your account moves to Schwab.
You should update these instructions as soon as possible after your move to Schwab, but any existing instructions will continue to process for at least 30 days after your transition transition as long as there are sufficient funds in your Schwab account.
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The year-to-date contribution and distribution information on Schwab platforms will not include contributions or distributions that were made at TD Ameritrade prior to your transition. You will need to refer to your final TD Ameritrade statement (accessible on the Schwab website via the Statements tab) to obtain contribution and distribution data from the beginning of the year through your transition weekend. This can be added to the data shown on Schwab platforms to determine your total year-to-date contributions and distributions.
Clients with access to the RMD Center on the Schwab website will be able to see both pre- and post-transition distributions.
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Systematic Required Minimum Distribution (SRMD) instructions you currently have set up to transfer from a Traditional, Rollover, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA to a nonretirement account at TD Ameritrade will carry over to Schwab. For other account types, there may be instances where we are unable to transfer your SRMD instructions to your Schwab account.
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Instructions you have set up at TD Ameritrade to receive dividends, interest, and/or interest credit payments (Money Market Funds interest) via ACH or check will transition to Schwab. Please note that these instructions will not transition to Schwab for pledged accounts.
You'll be able to see these Pay Income instructions online by logging in to the Schwab website and navigating to Move Money > Recent Transfer Activity.
You'll be able to see these Pay Income instructions online by logging in to the Schwab website, navigating to Move Money > Online Transfers, and scrolling down to the Recent Transfer Status table.
Once your account transitions to Schwab, if you wish to edit or delete your Pay Income instructions, contact a Schwab representative.
Any activity from dividends, interest, and interest credits in your TD Ameritrade account after your transition to Schwab will be moved as cash to your Schwab account and will not be distributed via your Pay Income instructions. This includes any dividends, interest, and interest credits from prior to the move that were not distributed by the transition weekend.
Tax information
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Since your TD Ameritrade account will transition from one broker-dealer to another in 2023, you'll receive two 1099 forms for the 2023 tax-reporting year—one from TD Ameritrade and one from Schwab.
The information on the forms will be exclusive, and you'll need to report the amounts from both TD Ameritrade and Schwab when you file your taxes.
If you need to see or get your historical tax documents, you can access them, after your account transitions, by logging in to the Schwab website and going to Accounts > Statements > Doc Type: Tax Forms.
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After your TD Ameritrade account transfers to Schwab, you'll be able to import your Schwab 1099 Composite data, in addition to your TD Ameritrade data, directly into TurboTax®, TaxAct®, or H&R Block® tax preparation software.
If you'll be using tax preparation software, you'll need to give your software provider access to your Schwab account to directly import your 1099 data.
To import your tax information data up to the date of your account transition, use your Document ID from the TDA 1099 consolidated tax form and 9-digit TD Ameritrade account number.
For your Schwab account tax data, use your Schwab Login ID and password.
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- Individual security class: If you have an individual security class method selected at TD Ameritrade, it will carry over to Schwab automatically. At Schwab, you can select a single cost basis default that will apply to all securities in each account. However, you won't be able to set different defaults based on the type of security class.
- Accounts with mixed cost basis: Accounts that have mixed cost basis instructions will be set to FIFO upon your account transition. After your transition is complete, you'll be able to select specific lots at the time of trade and up until the settlement date. For equities, options, and bonds, Schwab accommodates one selection: FIFO, LIFO, HCLOT, LCLOT, or BTAX.
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All tax withholding elections will be reset to state and federal minimums. In addition, if you have a different tax withholding election than the state listed for your address on your account, your tax withholding election will be updated with the state minimum for your state on file.
Any distribution instructions that you have set up at TD Ameritrade where no tax is deducted (i.e., a Qualified Charitable Distribution) will be reset to the state and federal minimums once your account moves to Schwab.
We encourage you to review your tax withholding elections once your account has moved to Schwab and make any necessary changes.
Trading & investing
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Yes, the thinkorswim® platforms are coming to Schwab later in 2023. If you currently trade with the thinkorswim® suite of platforms, in most cases your account won’t move until after thinkorswim is available at Schwab. Watch for more information about thinkorswim moving to Schwab in the coming months.
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Yes, most open orders will move to Schwab. Some order types may not move, including conditional orders (also known as advanced orders), trailing stop orders, and direct routed orders. If you have any of these order types open at the time of your move and want to continue working them, please note the order details before your account transitions so that you can reestablish them at Schwab should they not move.
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Watchlists: All watchlists will move to Schwab. If you use watchlists in the TD Ameritrade Mobile app, be aware that watchlists that are saved locally on your mobile device will not move to Schwab. Only watchlists that are saved in the app itself will move.
In addition, please be aware that once you are at Schwab, watchlists will not sync between thinkorswim® and the Schwab website or Schwab Mobile. Any change to one requires a manual update to the other in order to keep watchlists aligned.
Alerts: Alerts set up on tdameritrade.com or on the TD Ameritrade Mobile app will not move. These will need to be set up again at Schwab. For thinkorswim users, all alerts are moving to Schwab and will remain fully accessible on thinkorswim at Schwab.
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Your TD Ameritrade dividend reinvestment elections for eligible stocks and ETFs will move to Schwab at the time of your transition. After the transition, any additional purchases of these currently held stocks and ETFs in your Schwab account will automatically follow the elections that transitioned with you.
Any net new positions established in your Schwab account won't automatically be opted in for dividend reinvestment at Schwab. You must enroll each eligible stock and ETF separately, and you can do that from the Positions page on the Schwab website. You will not be able to enroll your entire account as you may have done at TD Ameritrade.
Additionally, you should be aware of some other differences between dividend reinvestment at TD Ameritrade and Schwab:
- American Depositary Receipt (ADR) securities and foreign ordinaries (ORD): Dividend reinvestment on ADR securities and ORDs is not offered at Schwab. These will be distributed as cash.
- Processing: Because Schwab waits for the receipt of dividends before distributing the funds, you may notice that reinvested shares are not visible or tradeable in your account until the day following reinvestment. Also, you may see the dividend in your account as cash before the reinvestment takes place.
- DTC Dividend Reinvestment Program: For a limited number of stocks, TD Ameritrade offered dividend reinvestment through The Depository Trust Company (DTC). While Schwab does not participate in the DTC dividend reinvestment program, dividends will be reinvested through our open market dividend reinvestment program.
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Your options approval level will move with your account to Schwab, meaning you'll have the equivalent options approval level in your new Schwab account. There will be no change in terms of the options strategies that you can trade in your account before and after the transition.
Options approval is at the account level. If you have multiple options-approved accounts, each account will move to Schwab with its respective options approval level—which could be different for each account.
You can view a comparison table to see how options approval levels match up between TD Ameritrade and Schwab.
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Yes, the margin feature on your account will move with the account to Schwab. You'll still be able to utilize margin on all trading platforms at Schwab.
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House requirements will remain at 30%, though there is the potential for some differences in concentration requirements. You'll be able to view margin requirements from the trade ticket on the Schwab website.
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Yes. Schwab has robust portfolio performance reporting tools. One of the most popular tools allows you to calculate your rate of return, both from an overall portfolio perspective and by account. It also allows you to look at your performance by asset class. You can utilize pre-selected timeframes or create a custom timeframe to see how you're doing over time. In addition, Schwab has a Portfolio Checkup tool that lets you look at your asset allocation, monitor your sector diversification, and see your equity concentration. You'll be able to find these tools on the Schwab website under Accounts > Portfolio Performance.
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Before your account transitions: If you want to preview the Schwab experience and get the hang of using Schwab platforms before you move, you can check out a selection of videos and other helpful resources.
After your account transitions: As a critical first step following your first login at the Schwab website and the Schwab Mobile app, we encourage you to visit the Welcome Center to review what's moved to Schwab, confirm your profile, and update your account features.
Also, to help you get used to Schwab's platform, a How To Center has been set up, complete with useful instructional videos that tell you what you need to know to get up and running fast. All of this will be available to you—and easy to find—when you log in for the first time at the Schwab website and the Schwab Mobile app.
Service & support
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Until your account transitions to Schwab, continue to contact TD Ameritrade for account service 24/7 at +1-800-368-3668 or +1-402-970-5805.* Or log in to your TD Ameritrade account and under Client Services, select Message Center to write to TD Ameritrade support.
Once your account transitions, you'll start contacting Schwab customer service from Monday 1:00 a.m. to Saturday 1:00 am ET at +1-877-686-1937 (U.S.) and +1-415-667-8400 (outside the U.S.).*
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You can expect the same type of high-quality service that you get at TD Ameritrade. You can contact Schwab by phone, chat, or email for support. Or you can visit a Schwab branch during regular business hours. We're happy to inform you that the service teams you work with at TD Ameritrade will transition with you and be able to keep serving you.
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There are resources available to support you throughout your transition.
Online resources
- The Client Information Hub will keep you up to date on general information about the transition process, help and how-to resources, and more about what's waiting for you at Schwab.
- About three months before your transition weekend, when you log in to your TD Ameritrade account, you'll be able to access the Schwab Transition Center. There you'll find information specific to your transition group, including key dates. Additionally, this is where you'll receive instructions on how to set up your Schwab Login ID and password, beginning about one month before your scheduled transition date.
- After your transition is complete and you log in to the Schwab website for the first time, our Welcome Center will guide you through any actions needed and help you get to know Schwab.
Communications
- As you get closer to your scheduled move date, you'll be receiving a series of transition communications from TD Ameritrade. These will help you prepare for your move to Schwab by providing important information and actions you need to take.
- After your transition is complete, you'll receive a series of onboarding communications from Schwab to welcome you, familiarize you with products and services, and get you set up with your trading and investing experience quickly and smoothly.
Service
- If you have questions about your account transition before or after your move, you can call +1-415-667-8400* to talk with a representative.
- You can also use online chat or our digital assistants, Ask Ted on tdameritrade.com and Schwab Assistant on the Schwab website.
Pricing & fees
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From day one Schwab has helped lead the way in offering greater value for investors by driving down costs. There have already been price improvements at TD Ameritrade after being acquired by Charles Schwab. And that will continue, as most TD Ameritrade clients will experience pricing that is the same or better when they move to Schwab. See for yourself.
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Yes. Online trade commissions will continue to be $0 at Schwab. This includes stocks and ETFs. Options trades have a $0 online base commission and a $0.65 per contract fee. Learn more about pricing at Schwab.
Reach out with questions.
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Reach out with questions.
We're here to help.
If you have questions about your transition to Schwab call +1-415-667-8400.* If you have questions about your TD Ameritrade account call 800-368-3668.
If you have already moved to Schwab and have questions call 877-686-1937 (U.S.) or +1-415-667-8400 (outside the U.S.).* Monday 1:00 a.m. to Saturday 1:00 a.m. E.T.