Merrill Edge IRA Review and ROTH IRA Fees
Merrill Edge ROTH IRA review for 2025. Merrill Edge Traditional IRA, 401k Rollover, SEP,
and SIMPLE IRA retirement accounts fees, rating, minimums, commissions, pros and cons.
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| Investments | Commissions |
|---|
| Stocks and ETFs | $0 |
| Stocks and ETFs broker assisted | $29.95 |
| Options | $0.65 per contract |
| Mutual funds | $19.95 |
| Merrill Edge self-directed mutual funds | 0.75% gross proceeds, $50 minimum, $250 maximum |
| Bonds | On a net yield basis |
| Investments | stocks, mutual funds, options, ETFs, bonds, CDs |
| Merrill Edge minimum deposit to open account | $0 |
- Traditional IRA
- ROTH IRA
- Rollover IRA
- SIMPLE IRA
- SEP IRA
- 401(k)
Merrill Edge IRA Fees
- IRA setup fee: $0
- Annual IRA fee: $0
- IRA termination fee: $49.95
Merrill Edge IRA Overview
Merrill Edge is the online brokerage arm of Merrill Lynch and part of Bank of America. It combines Merrill’s research power with a modern, tech-driven platform. You can use it on the web or mobile app with similar performance on both.
Merrill Edge lets you trade stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and fixed income. It’s mainly self-directed, so you decide your strategy and timeline. Long-term investors can use the basic platform, while active traders can use Merrill MarketPro for real-time analysis. You can also open retirement accounts like Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and 401(k)s.
The platform ties into all Bank of America banking services. You can chat, email, call, or visit any Bank of America or Merrill branch for help.
Merrill Edge IRA Key Features
Full Suite of Services: Merrill Edge offers $0 trades on stocks and ETFs and a wide range of retirement tools under “Guidance and Retirement.” You’ll find calculators, planning resources, webinars, and can opt for managed portfolios or work with a Merrill advisor.
Bank of America Integration: If you bank with BofA, your accounts link seamlessly. You can view balances, transfer money instantly, use any branch, and earn extra rewards through BofA Preferred Rewards.
Research and How-To’s: You get research from Merrill, BofA, Morningstar, and others. There are investor guides, webinars, calculators, and an “Idea Builder” tool to help you learn and plan.
Merrill Edge IRA Fee Structure
Merrill Edge now offers $0 trades on stocks and ETFs. Fees still apply for options, bond trades, and margin. There are no annual, inactivity, wire, or statement fees, but closing an account costs $49.95 and broker-assisted trades cost $29.95.
Merrill Edge IRA Pros
Easy-to-Use Platform: Merrill Edge has a clean design. The “Portfolio Story” feature gives you a visual tour of your performance, asset allocation, and future outlook.
Fits All Investor Levels: You choose how much help you want—from fully self-directed to managed portfolios or advisor support. Educational tools help you grow your skills over time.
Great Value for BofA Customers: Linking Merrill Edge with Bank of America unlocks perks like higher savings rates, credit card boosts, loan discounts, and free ATMs worldwide.
Merrill Edge IRA Cons
No Crypto or Fractional Shares: Merrill Edge doesn’t support cryptocurrency trading or fractional-share investing. You’ll need another platform for those.
Best IRA Accounts
Merrill Edge IRA Review Recap
Merrill Edge offers a full range of traditional investment and retirement services with robust research and an intuitive interface. It’s a top pick for Bank of America customers, though you’ll need another platform for crypto or fractional shares.
Updated on 4/8/2025.
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