The Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) protects customers if their brokerage firm fails.

Brokerage firm failures are rare.

If it happens, SIPC protects the securities and cash in your brokerage account up to $500,000. The $500,000 protection includes up to $250,000 protection for cash in your account to buy securities.

How does SIPC protection work?

SIPC protection is only available if your brokerage firm fails and SIPC steps in.

You must file a claim to receive protection from SIPC.

SIPC's ability to satisfy your claim is limited by law.

Do conditions apply?

SIPC protects your investments if:

  • Your brokerage firm is a SIPC member.
  • You have securities at your brokerage firm.
  • You have cash at your brokerage firm to buy securities.

SIPC does NOT protect:

  • Your investments if the firm is not a SIPC member.
  • Market loss.
  • Promises of investment performance.
  • Commodities or futures contracts.

Are my investments with a SIPC member?

SIPC protects the customers of over 4,000 securities brokerage firms. Most U.S. brokerage firms are required to be SIPC members.

To find out if your brokerage firm is a SIPC member, check the list or Contact Us.

SIPC is here to help you.

SIPC has been protecting investors since 1970.

Without SIPC, customers at financially troubled brokerage firms might lose all of their investments forever.

Still have questions? Contact Us.