How to withdraw money from Vanguard (2024)

All you need to know about withdrawal on Vanguard

Reading time: 4 minutes

Being able to access your money is one of the top priorities when it comes to choosing a broker. Here, we will show you the withdrawal options, possible fees, how fast you can access your funds, and why Vanguard is a reliable broker, where you can withdraw your money without safety concerns.

Withdrawal at Vanguard is not the most user-friendly, according to our analysis. In any case, there are some issues, such as currency and closing positions, you have to pay attention to.

To give you a brief summary: Vanguard is a US stockbroker regulated by the top-tier SEC and FINRA.

THE ESSENCE:

  • Vanguard charges £0 for withdrawal
  • The withdrawal process is usually executed within 2 days
  • Vanguard is a reliable broker, regulated by at least one top-tier regulator
  • You can only withdraw funds to accounts in your name

First, let's see if Vanguard is available in your country?

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Table of contents

> 1. All you need to know about withdrawal on Vanguard > 2. Is Vanguard safe? > 3. What withdrawal methods are available at Vanguard? > 4. How long does it take to withdraw from Vanguard? > 5. What are the withdrawal fees at Vanguard? > 6. What to keep in mind when withdrawing from Vanguard? > 7. Wrap-up

How to withdraw money from Vanguard
Is Vanguard safe?

To trust your money with a broker, you need to be sure that the broker is considered trustworthy. We, at BrokerChooser, only recommend regulated brokers, meaning the broker's operations are overseen by a trusted body.

Vanguard can be considered a legit broker as it is overseen by at least one top-tier regulator, which is a great sign for reliability.

For you, this means that your money is in good hands and you will be able to withdraw your funds.

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How to withdraw money from Vanguard
What withdrawal methods are available at Vanguard?

At Vanguard, the only available option to withdraw money to your account is via Bank transfer.

Remember, you can only withdraw funds to accounts that are in your name.

Withdrawal optionsVanguard
Bank transfer Yes
Credit/Debit card No
Electronic wallet No

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How to withdraw money from Vanguard
How long does it take to withdraw from Vanguard?

Withdrawing your funds from a brokerage account is a bit different than withdrawing money from, let's say, a bank account. Unlike some deposit options, withdrawal is rarely instant.

Keep in mind that if you have all your funds invested, you have to close some of your positions first to get access to cash, which you can withdraw later on. After closing some of your positions, the broker might need some time to make the funds available for you for withdrawal.

At Vanguard, the withdrawal process is usually executed within 2 days.

How to withdraw money from Vanguard
What are the withdrawal fees at Vanguard?

The good news is that Vanguard charges no fees for withdrawal.

Withdrawal optionWithdrawal fees
Credit/Debit card-
Domestic bank withdrawal£0.0
International bank withdrawal£8.0
Electronic walletNot available

Conversion fees

Pay attention that if your Vanguard account's base currency and bank account's currency differ, you might be charged a conversion fee depending on your personal bank.

At Vanguard, the only available currency is USD. This means that if you withdraw money to your account in any other currency than USD, you will be charged a conversion fee.

To avoid high conversion fees, consider opening a multi-currency account at a digital bank.

How to withdraw money from Vanguard
What to keep in mind when withdrawing from Vanguard?

Withdrawing your funds from a brokerage account is a bit different than withdrawing money from, let's say, a bank account. Unlike some deposit options, withdrawal is rarely instant.

Keep in mind that if you have all your funds invested, you have to close some of your positions first to get access to cash, which you can withdraw later on. After closing some of your positions, the broker might need some time to make the funds available for you for withdrawal.

How to withdraw money from Vanguard
Wrap-up

You are awesome for having read through this article! Making sure you can access your funds might seem overwhelming at first, but the best time to start dealing with your finances is always right now.

You're doing great! Navigating through the world of brokerages is hard, and we want to help you along the way. If you are stuck somewhere, have a question, or a suggestion, please drop us an email.

Table of contents

> 1. All you need to know about withdrawal on Vanguard > 2. Is Vanguard safe? > 3. What withdrawal methods are available at Vanguard? > 4. How long does it take to withdraw from Vanguard? > 5. What are the withdrawal fees at Vanguard? > 6. What to keep in mind when withdrawing from Vanguard? > 7. Wrap-up

Author of this article

How to withdraw money from Vanguard (1)

Author of this article

Eszter has been writing and editing BrokerChooser's content since 2021 bringing her more than a decade-long experience in journalism to the team. She has been covering world affairs and several financial crises, and recently has been diving deep into SEO and coding to make BrokerChooser's content more accessible to users.

Eszter Zalán

Editor, Financial Journalist

Eszter has been writing and editing BrokerChooser's content since 2021 bringing her more than a decade-long experience in journalism to the team. She has been covering world affairs and several financial crises, and recently has been diving deep into SEO and coding to make BrokerChooser's content more accessible to users.

Everything you find on BrokerChooser is based on reliable data and unbiased information. We combine our 10+ years finance experience with readers feedback. Read more about our methodology

How to withdraw money from Vanguard (2024)

FAQs

How do I take all my money out of Vanguard? ›

How do I make a withdrawal?
  1. Log into your account.
  2. Select 'Payments' from the 'My Portfolio' menu.
  3. Select 'Money out'
  4. Any money held as cash and available for withdrawal will be shown here. Select 'Withdraw cash'
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Why won't Vanguard let me withdraw cash? ›

When you sell funds you'll need to wait for the trade to settle before you can withdraw the cash. This normally happens 2 business days after the trade completes.

How easy is it to withdraw money from Vanguard? ›

Vanguard charges $0 for withdrawal. The withdrawal process is usually executed within 2 days. Vanguard is a reliable broker, regulated by at least one top-tier regulator. You can only withdraw funds to accounts in your name.

Can you withdraw money from Vanguard at any time? ›

Yes, you can set up monthly withdrawals from a Stocks and Shares ISA or General Account. If you want to start taking a regular income from a pension, learn more about withdrawing money from a pension. Log into your account. Select 'Payments' from the 'My Portfolio' menu.

What is the maximum withdrawal from Vanguard? ›

While you can withdraw up to $100,000 (or 100% of your balance), you may not want to take out so much. Check your plan whether you can request additional withdrawals or loans. If you have a loan, suspend the payments.

How do I cancel my 401k and cash out? ›

How to cash out 401k after quitting? To cash out a 401(k) after quitting a job, you must request a distribution from the plan administrator. The funds will then be distributed directly to you and subject to federal and state taxes and a 10% federal penalty tax if you are under age 59 1/2.

Why was my cash withdrawal declined? ›

One of the most common reasons why a cash withdrawal is declined is due to insufficient funds in the account. This happens when you attempt to withdraw more money than what you have in your account. To fix this, check your account balance and ensure that you have enough funds to cover the withdrawal.

Does it cost to withdraw from Vanguard? ›

We don't charge any performance fees, exit fees or transfer fees.

How long does it take for unsettled cash to be withdrawable? ›

After a deposit begins processing, there is a 7-business-day hold on withdrawing the deposited funds. This allows time for the deposit to process fully. A deposit typically begins processing the business day after the deposit was initiated. Please note: that weekends and holidays do not count as business days.

How long does Vanguard take to pay you? ›

Individual savings account (ISA) transfers normally take up to 30 business days and pension transfers can take as little as 10 business days.

What qualifies as a hardship withdrawal Vanguard? ›

Money withdrawn from an employer-sponsored retirement plan or IRA to cover an immediate need such as unforeseen medical expenses, a first-time home purchase, higher education or tuition costs, expenses to prevent eviction or a foreclosure, funeral expenses, or to repair damage to a principal residence caused by an ...

What is total cash to available cash Vanguard? ›

Your total cash reflects the cash portion of your portfolio value. It includes cash from completed trades, deposits and withdrawals but excludes any pending cash transactions. Your available cash is the cash available for trading or withdrawals.

Is it safe to have all my money at Vanguard? ›

Money market funds and other securities held in the Vanguard Brokerage Account are eligible for SIPC coverage. Securities in your brokerage account are protected up to $500,000. To learn more, visit the SIPC's website. Up to $250,000 by FDIC insurance.

Can I withdraw money from my investment account? ›

You can only withdraw cash from your brokerage account. If you want to withdraw more than you have available as cash, you'll need to sell stocks or other investments first. Keep in mind that after you sell stocks, you must wait for the trade to settle before you can withdraw money from your brokerage account.

How do I withdraw money from my brokerage account? ›

In order to withdraw money from your brokerage account, you will have to visit the app or website of your brokerage firm and look for a 'withdraw funds' option. Upon clicking this, money will be credited to your bank account within a certain duration.

What is the 4% rule Vanguard? ›

Say an investor has retired with a $1 million portfolio. In her first year of retirement, under the 4% rule, she should withdraw 4% of that portfolio, or $40,000 ($1 million x 0.04). For each subsequent year, she should adjust the withdrawal amount for inflation.

How much money is in the average Vanguard account? ›

“Vanguard participants' average account balances decreased by 20% since year-end 2021, driven primarily by the decrease in equity and bond markets over the year,” according to the report. The numbers look worse if you consider the median balance, which was just $27,376 last year, down from $35,345 in 2021.

What is rule of 72 Vanguard? ›

The rule of 72 suggests that your mutual fund investment would double to $100,000 in 12 years. The key assumption of the rule—that the rate of return remains stable for years—means that it only offers a very approximate estimate.

Can I cash out my 401k all at once? ›

Key Takeaways. You can make a 401(k) withdrawal in a lump sum, but in most cases, if you do and are younger than 59½, you'll pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty in addition to taxes. There were special allowances for withdrawals in 2020 for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

How do I avoid 20% tax on my 401k withdrawal? ›

One of the easiest ways to lower the amount of taxes you have to pay on 401(k) withdrawals is to convert to a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k). Withdrawals from Roth accounts are not taxed.

Can I cash out my 401k whenever I want? ›

Yes, you can withdraw money from your 401(k) before age 59½. However, early withdrawals often come with hefty penalties and tax consequences.

How much cash withdrawal is suspicious? ›

Thanks to the Bank Secrecy Act, financial institutions are required to report withdrawals of $10,000 or more to the federal government. Banks are also trained to look for customers who may be trying to skirt the $10,000 threshold. For example, a withdrawal of $9,999 is also suspicious.

Are cash withdrawals flagged? ›

That said, cash withdrawals are subject to the same reporting limits as all transactions. If you withdraw $10,000 or more, federal law requires the bank to report it to the IRS in an effort to prevent money laundering and tax evasion.

Can a bank ask why you are withdrawing cash? ›

Yes. The bank may be asking for additional information because federal law requires banks to complete forms for large and/or suspicious transactions as a way to flag possible money laundering.

How long does it take Vanguard to transfer funds to bank? ›

Most transfers take as little as 5 to 7 days. If paperwork is required, the transfer may take longer. Vanguard will keep you updated throughout the transfer process.

Can I close my Vanguard account? ›

You can close your Vanguard account by phone by contacting Vanguard's Client Services at 1-877-662-7747. Client Services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Eastern time. You will be required to sell all funds and transfer any remaining money prior to closing.

How much does it cost to close a Vanguard account? ›

Vanguard charges no closing, transfer or inactivity fees. There is a $20 annual account service fee for all brokerage accounts and IRAs that is easily waived for clients who sign up for statement e-delivery.

How long until unsettled cash is available? ›

Because stocks have a two-business-day settlement period, proceeds generated by selling stock in a cash account are considered unsettled for the two-day period following the trade date, since the sale is not technically completed.

How long can a withdrawal be pending? ›

A pending transaction is a recent card transaction that has not yet been fully processed by the merchant. If the merchant doesn't take the funds from your account, in most cases it will drop back into the account after 7 days.

What is the difference between settled and unsettled cash? ›

If you have a cash account, settled funds refer to two types of funds: 1. Newly deposited funds; 2. Funds settled from your sale transactions. Unsettled funds may be used to open new positions but closing positions with unsettled funds may result in free riding.

How do I transfer money from Vanguard to my bank account? ›

From the Vanguard homepage, search "Sell funds" or go to the Sell funds page. Select your bank account from the drop-down menu in step two under Where is your money going?

What happens if Vanguard goes bust? ›

Vanguard is paid by the funds to provide administration and other services. If Vanguard ever did go bankrupt, the funds would not be affected and would simply hire another firm to provide these services.

How often does Vanguard pay out? ›

Most Vanguard exchange-traded funds (ETFs) pay dividends on a regular basis, typically once a quarter or year. Vanguard ETFs specialize in one specific area within stocks or the fixed-income realm.

Do I need to show proof for hardship withdrawal? ›

You may need to share proof of the hardship event and show that you don't have insurance or other assets and can't qualify for a loan before you receive the hardship withdrawal. Your employer may also want to verify that you can't cover the hardship by stopping your 401(k) contributions.

Do hardship withdrawals get denied? ›

This means that even if any employee has a qualifying hardship as defined by the IRS, if it doesn't meet their plan rules, then their hardship withdrawal request will be denied.

How do you justify a hardship withdrawal? ›

Reasons for a 401(k) Hardship Withdrawal
  1. Certain medical expenses.
  2. Burial or funeral costs.
  3. Costs related to purchasing a principal residence.
  4. College tuition and education fees for the next 12 months.
  5. Expenses required to avoid a foreclosure or eviction.
  6. Home repair after a natural disaster.

How much cash should be available? ›

While you're working, we recommend you set aside at least $1,000 for emergencies to start and then build up to an amount that can cover three to six months of expenses. When you've retired, consider a cash reserve that might help cover one to two years of spending needs.

What does cash available to withdraw mean? ›

Amount collected and available for immediate withdrawal.

What percentage should I hold in cash? ›

Cash and cash equivalents can provide liquidity, portfolio stability and emergency funds. Cash equivalent vehicles include savings, checking and money market accounts, and short-term investments. A general rule of thumb is that cash and cash equivalents should comprise between 2% and 10% of your portfolio.

Why can't I withdraw all money from Vanguard? ›

When you sell funds you'll need to wait for the trade to settle before you can withdraw the cash. This normally happens 2 business days after the trade completes.

How much interest will $250 000 earn in a year? ›

Many high-yield savings accounts from online banks offer rates from 2.05% to 2.53%. On a $250,000 portfolio, you'd receive an annual income of $5,125 to $6,325 from one of those accounts.

Is it safe to keep more than $500000 in a brokerage account? ›

Is it safe to keep more than $500,000 in a brokerage account? It is safe in the sense that there are measures in place to help investors recoup their investments before the SIPC steps in. And, indeed, the SIPC will not get involved until the liquidation process starts.

How do I withdraw money from my Vanguard account? ›

Once you have cash available in your account, you can withdraw it following these steps:
  1. Log into your account.
  2. Select 'Payments' from the 'My Portfolio' menu.
  3. Select 'Money out'
  4. Any money held as cash and available for withdrawal will be shown here. Select 'Withdraw cash'
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

What are 3 ways to withdraw money? ›

  • How to Withdraw Money from Your Bank Account. Have you finally made the upgrade from a piggy bank and moved your stash of cash into a bank account? ...
  • Use an ATM. ...
  • Write a Check for Cash. ...
  • Fill Out a Withdrawal Slip. ...
  • Link Your Account to a Peer-to-Peer Payment Service.

Can I withdraw my investment anytime? ›

Yes, you can redeem your mutual fund investments any time you want.

What is the penalty for withdrawing from a brokerage account? ›

Taxable Accounts

Unlike an IRA or a 401(k), with a brokerage account, you can withdraw your money at any time, for any reason, with no tax or penalty.

What is the penalty for taking money out of brokerage account? ›

You can take money out of a brokerage account at any time and for any reason—just like you could with a regular bank account—without paying an early withdrawal penalty.

Do I pay taxes if I leave money in brokerage account? ›

In many cases, you won't owe taxes on earnings until you take the money out of the account—or, depending on the type of account, ever. But for general investing accounts, taxes are due at the time you earn the money. The tax rate you pay on your investment income depends on how you earn the money.

Do you get penalized for taking money out of Vanguard? ›

Early withdrawals may be subject to a 10% federal penalty tax. To the extent required by law, Vanguard will make the appropriate withholding for tax purposes.

How long does it take to transfer money from Vanguard to bank? ›

It'll take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete an online transfer request. Most transfers take as little as 5 to 7 days. If paperwork is required, the transfer may take longer. Vanguard will keep you updated throughout the transfer process.

What to invest $3,000 dollars in? ›

In any case, the investment options below will help you protect the principal of your investment while securing some return.
  • High-Yield Savings Account. ...
  • High-Yield Certificates of Deposit. ...
  • Short-Term Corporate Bond Funds. ...
  • Money Market Account. ...
  • Series I Savings Bonds. ...
  • Pay Down High-Interest Debt. ...
  • Invest in the Stock Market.
Feb 11, 2023

What happens to my money if Vanguard goes under? ›

Vanguard is paid by the funds to provide administration and other services. If Vanguard ever did go bankrupt, the funds would not be affected and would simply hire another firm to provide these services.

Why investors are pulling money from Vanguard? ›

Johnson says it could be clients pulling out money because they're retiring, or because they're negatively affected by the pandemic. Perhaps some are opting for active management as the markets become more volatile.

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