This article walks through funding your account online by depositing cash from a bank account you've linked, using the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network.

A deposit from a linked bank account moves cash from your external checking or savings account into your Retired.com account. Digital Trust, our custodian, holds the funds once they arrive. The whole request takes a few clicks from your dashboard, and the portal confirms the details before anything is submitted.

From your dashboard, select Add Funds in the left-hand menu. This opens the Select a Funding Method screen.

On the Select a Funding Method screen you'll see three options: Deposit Cash or Crypto, Transfer from an IRA, and Rollover an Employer Plan. Select Deposit Cash or Crypto — this is the option for funding your account with cash from your bank.

On the Deposit Cash or Crypto screen, open the To dropdown and choose the account you want the money to go into (for example, your Traditional IRA). Once you select an account, the rest of the deposit form appears.

Under Deposit Method, select ACH, which draws funds electronically from your linked bank account and typically settles in about 1–3 days. Two other methods are available if you prefer them: Wire transfer (about 1–3 days; wires are initiated through your bank and may include a processing fee) and Check deposit (about 1–2 weeks).

Open the From dropdown and select the linked external bank account you want to pull funds from — the portal shows the account nickname and available balance. If the account you want isn't listed, select + Link a new account and follow the prompts to connect it, then return to this step.

Type the deposit Amount in U.S. dollars. If the amount is below the minimum the portal allows, you'll see an inline message and won't be able to continue until you adjust it. Then set the Tax year for contribution to the year you want this contribution applied to. When the form is complete, select Continue.

The Review Your Details screen shows a summary — the amount, the receiving account, the bank account funds are coming from, the deposit method, and the contribution tax year. Use Edit if you need to change anything. Check the two boxes to authorize the contribution and to consent to receive records electronically, then select Submit to send your deposit request.

After you submit, the request is processed and the transfer will appear on your statement from Digital Trust, LLC, the custodian for your account. You can follow its progress under Transaction History in your portal.

How long does an ACH deposit take?
ACH deposits typically settle in about 1–3 days. Wire transfers are also roughly 1–3 days, while check deposits take about 1–2 weeks. For a full breakdown, see the funding timelines article.

Why do I need to choose a tax year?
Contributions count toward IRS annual limits for a specific tax year, so the portal asks which year you want this deposit applied to. We recommend consulting a tax advisor or attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

What if my bank account isn't listed in the "From" dropdown?
Select + Link a new account on the deposit form to connect a new bank account, then choose it from the dropdown. Contact the Service Team if you run into trouble linking an account.

Can I add funds another way?
Yes. Besides an ACH deposit, you can fund by wire transfer or check deposit from the same screen, or move money in from another IRA or an employer plan using the Transfer from an IRA and Rollover an Employer Plan options on the Select a Funding Method screen.

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