You can fund your self-directed investing account just like any other taxable Betterment account. This includes transferring money via ACH from a linked bank account, instantly moving funds from your Betterment Cash Reserve account, and transferring eligible securities from another broker via ACAT.
You may initiate a transfer from your automated investing account to your self-directed account, but note that this will result in the sale of securities and potential tax impact. You’ll receive a tax impact preview as part of the transfer flow. Assets will not move in-kind.
IRAs
Contributions are available for Traditional, Roth, and SEP IRAs. Inherited IRAs are not eligible for contributions.
You can submit a contribution to your SDI IRA from a linked external bank account, your Cash Reserve account (transfers from Cash Reserve are instant), or [a taxable Betterment account]. If you transfer from an automated investing account, securities will be sold and assets will not move in-kind. [Confirm: tax impact preview for this flow.]
Contributions count toward your annual contribution limit, which is tracked across your Betterment managed and SDI IRAs. [Traditional and Roth IRAs share a combined limit, and SEP IRAs have their own limit.] Mutual funds cannot be transferred from a taxable account into an IRA.
To roll over or transfer an IRA or 401(k) from another provider, see How do I move investments from another broker into my self-directed investing account?