How to enroll in commission free ETFs at TD Ameritrade

[35andFI]

Hello Mustachian community!

I just got my HSA Bank balance up high enough to be able to start investing the funds into TD Ameritrade.

I plan to put it all into SPTM but cannot find where in the TDA website to enroll/sign up for commission free ETFs so I do not get charged fees.

Can someone show me where this option is?

Thanks!

[EvenSteven]

I'm not sure I totally understand, but TD Ameritrade has a list of ETFs that you can buy and sell commission free, of which SPTM is one. You can buy and sell that ETF with out paying any commissions, so you can just buy it. No sign up needed.

[RWD]

I'm not sure I totally understand, but TD Ameritrade has a list of ETFs that you can buy and sell commission free, of which SPTM is one. You can buy and sell that ETF with out paying any commissions, so you can just buy it. No sign up needed.

You used to have to sign up (at least that was the case a couple years ago). I was charged a fee for buying a commission-free ETF back then, though they reversed the fee when I complained (and then I enrolled). I can't find anything about enrolling now in a quick search of their website so maybe they did remove that requirement.

[35andFI]

Hey, thanks for the reply.

I wonder if this is a recent thing. My understanding was that you had to specifically enroll in commission free ETFs before being able to purchase them for free.

"I forgot to enroll for the commission free ETFs"
"You must enroll in the Fee-Free ETF program (it's free and easy)."
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/investor-alley/reference-tdameritrade-no-trading-fee-etfs-by-vanguard-morningstar-box/

"Users must sign up their account for the Commission-Free ETF program."
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/TD_Ameritrade

"make sure you register for "Commission Free ETF's" first"
https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=219176

I guess I can call and verify that we don't have to enroll in anything anymore.

[35andFI]

Just called to verify and was told that you no longer have to enroll in commission free ETFs in order to avoid the commission.

Was told to simply purchase the ETFs on the commission free list and you'll be good to go.

[EvenSteven]

Good to get confirmation. When my HSA moved over there through lively a couple years ago they had no need to sign up for commission free.

[aaahhrealmarcus]

Asked this earlier on another thread, sorry to double post! I'm in HSA Bank, and am currently sitting on close to $5k in my account. I'm trying to figure out when to start investing, and how much... I've seen different numbers thrown around - some sources say you need to keep a minimum of $1k in your account, others say as much as $5k - or else you pay a penalty. The FAQ on their website is no help. Does anyone know?

[BTDretire]

I'm still mad at TD Ameritrade. They charge $75 to close an account.
The will earn way more than $75 dollars of negative review from me.
I tell everyone, don't open a TD Ameritrade account, just go to Vanguard.

[35andFI]

I have been investing every penny from HSABank into TDAmeritrade.

I just do a single transfer every two weeks when my contribution from my paycheck is deposited into HSABank.

I haven’t been charged anything.