Everything To Know About A Rollover

Do you have a 401k plan through your employer? If so, have you ever wondered what happens to that money if you leave your job? A rollover 401k is the answer! This guide will discuss what a rollover 401k is and how it can benefit you. We will also provide some tips on how to complete a rollover correctly. So, whether you are thinking of leaving your job or are just curious about this retirement option, read on for more information!

What Is A Rollover?

In finance, a rollover refers to moving funds from one investment or financial product to another, often to take advantage of better terms, rates, or investment opportunities. Examples of rollovers include rolling over a 401k to an IRA, rolling over a maturing certificate of deposit to a new one, or rolling over a short-term loan to a new one. The process typically involves closing out the old investment or product and opening a new one with the same or a different financial institution or provider.

How to conduct a rollover

If you decide to conduct a rollover of your 401k into another retirement account, there are a few steps you will need to follow:

• Decide where you want to roll over your 401k money. If available, you can roll it over into an IRA, a new employer’s plan, or keep it with your former employer if allowed.
• Open an account with the new custodian where you want to roll over your 401k money. For example, this could be a brokerage firm or financial institution that offers the type of account you want to roll your money into.
• Contact your former employer’s plan administrator and request a distribution of your 401k funds. You must provide information about where funds are sent and how you want them distributed.
• Complete any necessary paperwork for the rollover. For example, you may need to fill out forms with the new custodian and your former employer’s plan administrator.
• Ensure that the rollover is completed within the time limit. Depending on the rollover type, you may have a certain amount of time to complete the transaction without incurring taxes or penalties.
• Monitor your new account to ensure your 401k funds have been successfully rolled over and invested according to your preferences.

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Rolling Over Your 401k

Whether or not you should roll over your 401k depends on your financial situation and goals.

One advantage of rolling your 401k into an individual retirement account (IRA) is that you may have more investment options and potentially lower fees. IRAs often offer a more comprehensive range of investment choices, including individual stocks, bonds, and alternative investments like real estate. You may also be able to find an IRA with lower fees than your 401k plan, which can help you keep more of your savings over the long term.

However, rolling over your 401k also has some potential downsides. For example, if you have outstanding 401k loans, you may be required to pay them back in full immediately upon rolling over the account. Additionally, if you are in a high tax bracket, rolling over a traditional 401k into a traditional IRA could trigger a large tax bill since you will need to pay taxes on the money you withdraw from your 401k and roll over to the IRA.

Rolling over your 401k: The options

If you’re considering rolling over your 401k, there are a few options to consider:

• Roll over to an IRA: One option is to roll your 401k into an individual retirement account (IRA). As mentioned, this can provide you with more investment options and potentially lower fees.
• Keep your 401k: You may also choose to leave your 401k with your current employer or transfer it to a new employer’s plan if they accept rollovers. This can be a good option if you are happy with your current plan’s investment options and fees.
• Roll over to a new employer’s plan: If you change jobs and your new employer offers a 401k plan, you may be able to roll over your 401k into the new plan. This can simplify your retirement savings by consolidating your accounts into a single plan.
• Convert to a Roth IRA: Another option is to convert your traditional 401k into a Roth IRA. This involves paying taxes on the amount you convert but can provide tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement.

How long do you have to roll over a 401k?

If you have left your employer, you generally have two options for rolling over your 401k:

• Direct rollover: You can arrange for a direct rollover of your 401k to an IRA or another employer’s retirement plan. This involves transferring the funds directly from your 401k plan to the new account, which can help you avoid taxes and penalties.
• 60-day rollover: If you receive a distribution from your 401k plan, you can roll over the funds to an IRA or another employer’s plan within 60 days of receiving the distribution. However, this option can be risky, as if you don’t complete the rollover within the 60-day timeframe, you may be subject to taxes and penalties on the distribution.

Can You Keep your 401k with your former employer?

If you leave your job, you can keep your 401k with your former employer. This is known as leaving your account “suspended” or “dormant” status.

One advantage of keeping your 401k with your former employer is that you can continue to take advantage of the investment options and fees available while employed. Additionally, you may be able to delay required minimum distributions (RMDs) until you reach age 73, as long as you don’t own more than 5% of the company.

However, there are some potential drawbacks to leaving your 401k with your former employer. For example, you may no longer have access to financial advice or education from the plan sponsor. In addition, tracking and managing your investments may be more challenging if you have multiple retirement accounts with different providers.

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Rolling over the money into a traditional IRA

Advantages

• More investment options: An IRA typically offers a broader range of options than a 401k plan so that you may have more control over your money.
• Potentially lower fees: Depending on your investments, an IRA may have lower fees than a 401k plan.
• Simplified management: By rolling your 401k money into an IRA, you can consolidate your retirement savings into a single account, making it easier to manage your investments and track your progress toward your retirement goals.
• Flexibility: Unlike a 401k plan, you can withdraw money from an IRA without penalty, although you will have to pay taxes on the withdrawn amount.

Disadvantages

• Taxes: If you have a traditional 401k and roll over the money into a traditional IRA, you will not have to pay taxes on the transfer. However, if you have a Roth 401k and roll over the money into a traditional IRA, you must pay taxes on the transfer, which can be a significant expense.
• Withdrawal penalties: If you withdraw money from your traditional IRA before 59 1/2, you will typically have to pay a 10% penalty and any income taxes owed on the withdrawal.
• Limited access to funds: Once you roll over your 401k money into a traditional IRA, you may not be able to access the funds until you reach age 59 1/2 without incurring penalties.
• Loss of creditor protection: In some states, 401k plan funds are protected from creditors, while IRAs may not. This means that if you roll over your 401k money into an IRA, it may be more vulnerable to seizure by creditors in the event of bankruptcy or other financial difficulties.
• Potential loss of investment options: Depending on the investment options available in your 401k plan, you may not be able to replicate the same investment mix in an IRA, potentially affecting your investment returns.

What if you have an existing 401k at your previous employer?

If you have an existing 401k at your previous employer, you typically have a few options:

• Leave the money in your former employer’s plan: If your former employer allows it, you can leave your 401k money where it is. However, you will no longer be able to contribute to the plan and may not have access to the same investment options as active employees.
• Roll over the money into your new employer’s plan: If your new employer offers a retirement plan, you can roll over your 401k money into the new plan. This can consolidate your retirement savings into a single account and make it easier to manage your investments.
• Roll over the money into an IRA: You can also roll over your 401k money into an IRA, giving you more control over your investments and potentially lower fees.
• Cash-out the money: You can also choose to cash out your 401k balance, but this option can come with significant tax consequences and penalties if you’re under age 59 1/2.

Indirect Rollovers

An indirect rollover is a type of retirement account rollover where you receive a distribution of funds from a retirement account and then personally deposit the funds into another retirement account within a specific time frame. In an indirect rollover, the funds are not transferred directly from one custodian to another but pass through your hands.

Here’s an example of how an indirect rollover works:

• First, you request a distribution of funds from your retirement account, such as a 401k or IRA.
• The custodian of your retirement account withholds 20% of the distribution for federal income taxes.
• You receive a check for the remaining 80% of the distribution.
• You have 60 days to deposit the distribution amount, including the 20% withheld for taxes, into another retirement account, such as an IRA.
• You must report the distribution on your tax return and claim the withheld taxes as a credit.

Next Steps

The decision on whether or not to take advantage of a rollover 401k is a personal one you should make after careful consideration. When it comes to your finances—especially anything related to retirement— being informed and taking the proper steps is crucial. We encourage you to research further and speak with an expert advisor before completing any rollovers. If this option makes sense for your financial goals, request a free quote based on your situation.

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