Reviewed by
Stang Gappa
Reviewed by
Stang Gappa
Updated on May 29, 2024
Learn about our Editorial Process
Betterment offers an automated IRA as the largest independent online financial advisor, and pioneered "set-it-and-forget-it" portfolios for a low-fee.
Merrill offers a simple, automated IRA with customizable portfolios and potential fee discounts for existing Bank of America and Merrill Lynch customers.
Betterment was one of the first companies to provide fully managed accounts for a low-fee, launching its extremely popular service in 2008. It’s commonly referred to as a “roboadvisor”, and it pioneered the category along with several other players like Wealthfront. Betterment has grown rapidly over the years and now manages almost $30 billion of investment assets.
Despite its growth and a broadening range of services, Betterment has retained its customer-first philosophy. At its core, Betterment offers an easy-to-use service that manages your money for you. This is often referred to as a “set-it-and-forget-it” portfolio and it’s best for those who don’t want to be actively picking investments in their retirement account.
A Merrill Guided Investing IRA is a great option for beginner and hands-off investors who want a straightforward, automated portfolio with human oversight. Current Bank of America or Merrill customers may be eligible for a discount on the annual account management fee.
Bank of Ameria customers and current Merrill customers who meet required account balance minimums may be eligible for Merrill’s Preferred Rewards – a perk that includes lower management fees.
Betterment offers one of the best digitally managed IRAs in the market today. Their commitment to doing right by the customer and providing simple-to-use products make it a very good choice for people looking to have their retirement account handled for a low-fee.
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Beginner and hands-off investors might appreciate the simple, customizable portfolios offered by a Merrill Guided Investing automated IRA, especially if they currently have an account with Merrill or Bank of America. However, an account will come with higher management fees and account minimums than some other providers who offer a similar service.
If you’re looking to fund your Merrill Guided IRA with a 401(k) rollover, Capitalize can help. We’ve made it our mission to make this process easier for everyone. We can handle the entire process for you. Most of the process can be done online and our rollover experts will guide you through any of the manual parts. Get started with your 401(k) rollover in just a few minutes.
