Is TIAA or fidelity better? (2024)

Is TIAA or fidelity better?

TIAA-CREF only really offers limited phone support for customers, but in general they're very responsive and helpful. Fidelity is slightly less responsive, but they offer more options for customer service (such as email and chat support, as well as an automated Virtual Assistant).

Many employer-sponsored retirement plans offer fixed and variable annuities that provide you with retirement income for life. 72% of TIAA-CREF's funds received a Morningstar overall rating of 4 or 5 stars ( 46.91% 4 stars and 24.69% 5 stars ), based on risk-adjusted returns as of March 31, 2021 .

I was quite surprised to see how high the fees are at TIAA. As you may know, the large money manager is very prevalent at universities throughout the U.S. Having such a strong reputation, I assumed the fees would be closer to Vanguard. They are not even close.

TIAA is a great company having received many awards for their diversity and inclusion efforts. Internal mobility is strong. As with any company, management style will differ from person to person. That said, TIAA is very serious about the employee experience.

Your TIAA Traditional balance would generate an annuity investment credit of $15.00. A plan servicing fee of $10.50 and a model portfolio fee of $4.50 would be deducted from your account.

Some of the best individual retirement plans are individual retirement accounts (IRAs), which include traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and spousal IRAs. Anyone that earns income can open these on their own. The best employer-sponsored retirement plans include 401(k)s and 403(b)s, and 457(b)s.

The safest place to put your retirement funds is in low-risk investments and savings options with guaranteed growth. Low-risk investments and savings options include fixed annuities, savings accounts, CDs, treasury securities, and money market accounts. Of these, fixed annuities usually provide the best interest rates.

If you take money out before age 59 ½, then you may face a penalty equal to 10% of the money you take out from a Traditional or SEP IRA. Any money you withdraw will be taxed as ordinary income. However, if you contributed money after taxes into an IRA, your withdrawals will not be taxed.

Is TIAA-CREF better than Vanguard?

Generally, I would choose TIAA if you plan to have a large portion invested in TIAA Traditional Annuity. In that case, it is worth accepting higher expense index funds. If you are doing a simple three fund portfolio of index funds, Vanguard is likely to be better.

It is a for-profit financial institution that provides pension, insurance, and investment services, mainly for teachers and their families. TIAA was formerly also part of the College Retirement Equities Fund (CREF), which spun off as a separate entity in 2016. Prior to 1997, TIAA-CREF operated as a nonprofit.

For the Portfolio Advisor Program, which offers model-based investment portfolios, the firm charges an annual fee that ranges from 0.40% to 1.15% of assets under management.

We help real people with ambitious goals. For over a hundred years we've helped millions of people like you build more secure financial futures. That's because we understand and specialize in the financial needs of people who work in academic, government, medical and other non-profit fields.

TIAA is a stock New York life insurance company and is owned by the TIAA Board of Governors. CREF is a not-for-profit corporation based in New York, registered as an investment company with the Securities Exchange Commission.

TIAA Traditional is a guaranteed annuity issued by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) that is designed to be a core component of a diversified retirement savings portfolio. It has helped prepare millions of people like you with a solid foundation for retirement.

TIAA does provide some past performance statistics, though. Over the last five years, the investments available through this annuity have seen returns ranging from 0.44% to 20.58%. You can protect yourself from potentially losing money by choosing a more risk-averse investment option.

Generally, I would choose TIAA if you plan to have a large portion invested in TIAA Traditional Annuity. In that case, it is worth accepting higher expense index funds. If you are doing a simple three fund portfolio of index funds, Vanguard is likely to be better.

A TIAA Lifecycle Index Fund or Fidelity Investments Freedom Index Fund is a mutual fund that is a diversified portfolio of other mutual funds offered by that company; essentially a fund of other funds. This includes domestic and international stock funds, bond funds, and money market funds.

How much can I withdraw? Generally, you can withdraw any amount (up to your total balance) from your IRA, mutual fund or brokerage account.