Open an account and begin investing with these 4 simple steps
CHECKLIST
What you need to get started
To open an account, you’ll need this personal information:
- Your bank account and routing numbers.
- Your Social Security number.
- Your employer’s name and address.
Please note: You need to be a U.S. citizen with a U.S. mailing address to open an account. If you live or work outside the U.S., please check out our international site.
- IRAs
- Brokerage
- 529 savings
- UGMA/UTMA
- Small business
- 403(b) services
IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts)
An IRA is a personal account you can use to save for retirement. It’s an excellent way to let your retirement money grow and compound tax-deferred.
You'll need
Your personal information following the checklist above
Brokerage accounts
You can use an individual or joint account to invest for both short- and long-term nonretirement goals. Individual accounts have one owner and joint accounts have two or more owners. You can choose investments that suit your goals and risk tolerance.
You'll need
- The personal information specified in the checklist above.
- For a joint account: The primary joint owner to start the application.
The other joint owner will need to finish the application by providing their personal information specified in the checklist.
529 education savings plans
This account type helps future students of any age save for their education. 529 plans are sponsored by states and often offer tax benefits. They can be used for K–12 tuition, college and vocational education expenses, and more.
You'll need
The account owner's:
- Legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Address
UGMA/UTMA accounts
A UGMA/UTMA (Uniform Gift to Minors Act/Uniform Transfer to Minors Act) account can be opened for the benefit of a minor. They can be used to save for any goal and, like regular brokerage accounts, dividends and capital gains are taxable. The minor can take ownership of the account when they reach the age of majority, which varies by state.
You'll need
The personal information specified in the checklist above.
You’ll also need the minor’s:
- Legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Address
Small-business retirement plan options
Small-business owners have unique needs when it comes to saving for retirement, and helping their employees save too. Small-business retirement plans are retirement savings accounts for small-business owners and individuals who are self-employed. There are several account types, each with different features and benefits.
We recently announced that existing Individual 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, and SEP-IRA plans with multiple participants would be transferred to Ascensus. If you're just getting started, those types of plans can be established directly with Ascensus. Vanguard will continue to offer a one-person SEP-IRA.
Vanguard 403(b) Services
A 403(b) plan is a retirement plan that offers tax-deferred growth. It’s generally offered by public education institutions or certain tax-exempt organizations. You can make either pre-tax or Roth contributions.
Vanguard 403(b) Services provides premier recordkeeping, easy plan management, and day-to-day support from an assigned client services team in partnership with Newport Group.*
You'll need
The personal information specified in the checklist above. For information about 403(b) plans, please call us at 833-470-2153 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time.
*Retirement plan recordkeeping and administrative services are provided by The Vanguard Group, Inc. (VGI). VGI has entered into an agreement with Newport Group, Inc., to provide certain plan recordkeeping and administrative services on its behalf. Custodial services are provided by Newport Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Newport Group, Inc. Newport Group, Inc., and Newport Trust Company are not affiliated with The Vanguard Group, Inc., or any of its affiliates.
IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts)
An IRA is a personal account you can use to save for retirement. It’s an excellent way to let your retirement money grow and compound tax-deferred.
You'll need
Your personal information following the checklist above
Brokerage accounts
You can use an individual or joint account to invest for both short- and long-term nonretirement goals. Individual accounts have one owner and joint accounts have two or more owners. You can choose investments that suit your goals and risk tolerance.
You'll need
- The personal information specified in the checklist above.
- For a joint account: The primary joint owner to start the application.
The other joint owner will need to finish the application by providing their personal information specified in the checklist.
529 education savings plans
This account type helps future students of any age save for their education. 529 plans are sponsored by states and often offer tax benefits. They can be used for K–12 tuition, college and vocational education expenses, and more.
You'll need
The account owner's:
- Legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Address
UGMA/UTMA accounts
A UGMA/UTMA (Uniform Gift to Minors Act/Uniform Transfer to Minors Act) account can be opened for the benefit of a minor. They can be used to save for any goal and, like regular brokerage accounts, dividends and capital gains are taxable. The minor can take ownership of the account when they reach the age of majority, which varies by state.
You'll need
The personal information specified in the checklist above.
You’ll also need the minor’s:
- Legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Address
Small-business retirement plan options
Small-business owners have unique needs when it comes to saving for retirement, and helping their employees save too. Small-business retirement plans are retirement savings accounts for small-business owners and individuals who are self-employed. There are several account types, each with different features and benefits.
We recently announced that existing Individual 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, and SEP-IRA plans with multiple participants would be transferred to Ascensus. If you're just getting started, those types of plans can be established directly with Ascensus. Vanguard will continue to offer a one-person SEP-IRA.
Vanguard 403(b) Services
A 403(b) plan is a retirement plan that offers tax-deferred growth. It’s generally offered by public education institutions or certain tax-exempt organizations. You can make either pre-tax or Roth contributions.
Vanguard 403(b) Services provides premier recordkeeping, easy plan management, and day-to-day support from an assigned client services team in partnership with Newport Group.*
You'll need
The personal information specified in the checklist above. For information about 403(b) plans, please call us at 833-470-2153 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time.
*Retirement plan recordkeeping and administrative services are provided by The Vanguard Group, Inc. (VGI). VGI has entered into an agreement with Newport Group, Inc., to provide certain plan recordkeeping and administrative services on its behalf. Custodial services are provided by Newport Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Newport Group, Inc. Newport Group, Inc., and Newport Trust Company are not affiliated with The Vanguard Group, Inc., or any of its affiliates.
IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts)
An IRA is a personal account you can use to save for retirement. It’s an excellent way to let your retirement money grow and compound tax-deferred.
You'll need
Your personal information following the checklist above
Brokerage accounts
You can use an individual or joint account to invest for both short- and long-term nonretirement goals. Individual accounts have one owner and joint accounts have two or more owners. You can choose investments that suit your goals and risk tolerance.
You'll need
- The personal information specified in the checklist above.
- For a joint account: The primary joint owner to start the application.
The other joint owner will need to finish the application by providing their personal information specified in the checklist.
529 education savings plans
This account type helps future students of any age save for their education. 529 plans are sponsored by states and often offer tax benefits. They can be used for K–12 tuition, college and vocational education expenses, and more.
You'll need
The account owner's:
- Legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Address
UGMA/UTMA accounts
A UGMA/UTMA (Uniform Gift to Minors Act/Uniform Transfer to Minors Act) account can be opened for the benefit of a minor. They can be used to save for any goal and, like regular brokerage accounts, dividends and capital gains are taxable. The minor can take ownership of the account when they reach the age of majority, which varies by state.
You'll need
The personal information specified in the checklist above.
You’ll also need the minor’s:
- Legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Address
Small-business retirement plan options
Small-business owners have unique needs when it comes to saving for retirement, and helping their employees save too. Small-business retirement plans are retirement savings accounts for small-business owners and individuals who are self-employed. There are several account types, each with different features and benefits.
We recently announced that existing Individual 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, and SEP-IRA plans with multiple participants would be transferred to Ascensus. If you're just getting started, those types of plans can be established directly with Ascensus. Vanguard will continue to offer a one-person SEP-IRA.
Vanguard 403(b) Services
A 403(b) plan is a retirement plan that offers tax-deferred growth. It’s generally offered by public education institutions or certain tax-exempt organizations. You can make either pre-tax or Roth contributions.
Vanguard 403(b) Services provides premier recordkeeping, easy plan management, and day-to-day support from an assigned client services team in partnership with Newport Group.*
You'll need
The personal information specified in the checklist above. Please call us at 877-859-5756 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time, to get started.
*Retirement plan recordkeeping and administrative services are provided by The Vanguard Group, Inc. (VGI). VGI has entered into an agreement with Newport Group, Inc., to provide certain plan recordkeeping and administrative services on its behalf. Custodial services are provided by Newport Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Newport Group, Inc. Newport Group, Inc., and Newport Trust Company are not affiliated with The Vanguard Group, Inc., or any of its affiliates.
See what else Vanguard has to offer
Whether you're a beginning investor or an expert, Vanguard has something for you.
Ready to get started?
All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.
You must buy and sell Vanguard ETF Shares through Vanguard Brokerage Services (we offer them commission-free) or through another broker (who may charge commissions). See the Vanguard Brokerage Services Commission and Fee Schedules on Vanguard.com for limits. Vanguard ETF Shares are not redeemable directly with the issuing Fund other than in very large aggregations worth millions of dollars. ETFs are subject to market volatility. When buying or selling an ETF, you will pay or receive the current market price, which may be more or less than net asset value.