Updated 2026-03-20
Morgan Stanley 401(k) Provider Review
Morgan Stanley at Work provides 401(k) and workplace financial solutions backed by one of the largest wealth management firms.
Full-Service Wealth Management for 401(k) • Rank #19 • Score: 6.8/10 • Founded 1935 • New York, NY
Ratings Breakdown
Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Access to Morgan Stanley financial advisors
- E*Trade self-directed brokerage window
- Full wealth management integration
- Stock plan and equity compensation expertise
- Advanced trading tools
- Research from Morgan Stanley analysts
Disadvantages
- Higher fees than discount providers
- Advisor services may not be available to all
- Platform still integrating E*Trade
- Complexity may overwhelm simple savers
- Minimum plan sizes for full service
Morgan Stanley 401(k) Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Administrative Fees | Varies by plan size and services |
| Expense Ratios | 0.03% - 1.5% |
| Trading Fees | $0 for stocks/ETFs via E*Trade |
| Advisory Fees | 0.50% - 1.5% |
Morgan Stanley 401(k) Rollover Options
Rolling Into Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley at Work accepts rollovers from 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and IRA accounts through the participant portal or by contacting your Morgan Stanley financial advisor. You can also call 800-869-3326 to initiate. Electronic transfers from most providers typically complete within 5-7 business days. Morgan Stanley can help consolidate accounts from multiple former employers.
Platform: Morgan Stanley at Work Portal
Rolling Out of Morgan Stanley
Request an outbound rollover through your Morgan Stanley account online, by calling 800-869-3326, or through your financial advisor. Direct rollovers to Morgan Stanley IRAs preserve your advisory relationship. Rolling to external institutions is also supported. E*Trade self-directed brokerage positions may need to be liquidated before transfer.
Morgan Stanley 401(k) Withdrawals & Distributions
Withdrawal Methods
Distribution Options
Morgan Stanley provides withdrawal planning through their financial advisors, helping determine sustainable withdrawal rates and tax-efficient distribution strategies. Processing takes 3-5 business days for electronic transfers. Their WealthDesk platform provides holistic retirement income planning across all your accounts.
Morgan Stanley 401(k) Loans
Morgan Stanley 401(k) plans may allow participant loans up to $50,000 or 50% of the vested balance, whichever is less. Repayment terms up to 5 years (longer for primary home purchase). Interest rate is typically prime + 1%. Apply through the plan portal or contact your advisor. E*Trade brokerage positions may need adjustment to fund the loan.
Investment Options
Key Features
Best For
- Companies with stock plans
- Employees wanting full brokerage access
- High-net-worth participants
- Self-directed traders
Complete Morgan Stanley at Work 401(k) Review for 2026
Morgan Stanley at Work ranks #19 in our 2026 401(k) provider rankings with an overall score of 6.8 out of 10. Founded in 1935 and headquartered in New York, NY, Morgan Stanley manages $6.2 trillion in assets and serves 6 million participants across 15,000+ plan sponsors.
Why Choose Morgan Stanley at Work for Your 401(k)?
Morgan Stanley at Work combines the resources of one of the world's largest wealth management firms with workplace retirement plan services. Following the E*Trade acquisition, participants gain access to self-directed brokerage trading within their 401(k) plans, including individual stocks, ETFs, bonds, and options - capabilities that most traditional 401(k) providers don't offer.
Morgan Stanley financial advisors provide personalized retirement planning that goes beyond basic 401(k) management, integrating your workplace retirement savings with your broader financial picture. For companies that offer stock plans or equity compensation, Morgan Stanley's combined platform manages both retirement and equity accounts under one roof. Their WealthDesk technology aggregates all accounts for a complete financial view, and their research team provides institutional-quality investment analysis to individual participants.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Morgan Stanley at Work charges administrative fees that vary by plan size. Expense ratios range from 0.03% - 1.5%, and advisory fees are 0.50% - 1.5%. Compare plans carefully as total costs depend on your plan size and investment selections.
You can log into your Morgan Stanley at Work 401(k) account through the plan provider portal. Current and former employees can use the participant login page. First-time users will need to register with their Social Security number and date of birth.
Morgan Stanley at Work ranks #19 in our 2026 provider rankings with a score of 6.8/10. They manage $6.2 trillion in assets and serve 6 million participants. They are particularly strong for Companies with stock plans, Employees wanting full brokerage access, High-net-worth participants, Self-directed traders.
Yes, you can roll over your Morgan Stanley at Work 401(k) to a Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, or a new employer plan. A direct rollover avoids mandatory tax withholding. Contact Morgan Stanley or your new provider to initiate the transfer.
Morgan Stanley at Work offers a range of investment options including Mutual Funds, Target Date Funds, Index Funds, ETFs, Stocks, Bonds, Self-Directed Brokerage. The specific fund lineup depends on your plan and may change periodically.
Morgan Stanley at Work scores 6.8/10 overall with ratings of 3.0/5 for fees, 4.5/5 for investment options, 4.1/5 for customer service, and 4.0/5 for mobile app. Compare with other top providers on our comparison pages.
To roll into Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley at Work accepts rollovers from 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and IRA accounts through the participant portal or by contacting your Morgan Stanley financial advisor. You can also call 800-869-3326 to initiate. Electronic transfers from most providers typically complete within 5-7 business days. Morgan Stanley can help consolidate accounts from multiple former employers. To roll out: Request an outbound rollover through your Morgan Stanley account online, by calling 800-869-3326, or through your financial advisor. Direct rollovers to Morgan Stanley IRAs preserve your advisory relationship. Rolling to external institutions is also supported. E*Trade self-directed brokerage positions may need to be liquidated before transfer. Use the Morgan Stanley at Work Portal platform to manage your rollover.
Morgan Stanley at Work offers withdrawals via Online via Morgan Stanley portal, Phone (800-869-3326), Through Morgan Stanley financial advisor, Branch office visit. Distribution options include Lump sum, Partial withdrawal, Systematic withdrawals, Rollover to IRA, Required Minimum Distributions. Morgan Stanley provides withdrawal planning through their financial advisors, helping determine sustainable withdrawal rates and tax-efficient distribution strategies. Processing takes 3-5 business days for electronic transfers. Their WealthDesk platform provides holistic retirement income planning across all your accounts.
Morgan Stanley 401(k) plans may allow participant loans up to $50,000 or 50% of the vested balance, whichever is less. Repayment terms up to 5 years (longer for primary home purchase). Interest rate is typically prime + 1%. Apply through the plan portal or contact your advisor. E*Trade brokerage positions may need adjustment to fund the loan.
Disclaimer: This review is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Provider details may change. Contact Morgan Stanley at Work directly for the most current plan information.
Pavlo Pyskunov
Managing Director & Investment Fund Director
Pavlo Pyskunov analyzes employer-sponsored retirement plans using IRS publications and DOL Form 5500 filings, helping workers maximize their 401(k) savings through data-driven guidance.
Last updated: 2026-03-20