Can I Roll My 401k Over to Stock

How to Roll Over Your 401(k) to an IRA (and Why You Should)

When leaving your job, you can typically cash out your 401(k) or roll it over into a different retirement account. Certain options can make you much richer.

Updated: Nov 8, 2021 at 2:32PM

Both a 401(k) and IRA are tax-advantaged retirement accounts, but they work differently. 401(k)s are sponsored by employers and often offer limited investment options. IRAs aren't linked to employment. They can be opened with any brokerage firm or other financial institutions and have a wider variety of investment selections, but require more hands-on management.

Because 401(k)s are offered through employers, you'll need to determine what to do with yours when you leave your job. Your options include:

Leave it invested
Rollover to a new 401(k)
Rollover to an IRA

There are plenty of pros and cons to these options, but let's take a close look at when rolling your workplace 401(k) into an IRA may make sense for you.

Defining terms: What's a 401(k)?

A 401(k) plan is a tax-advantaged retirement account typically sponsored by an employer.

The traditional form of the 401(k) works much like a traditional IRA: Your contributions in a given year reduce taxable income for that year. In a simplified example, if you earn $75,000 and contribute $10,000, your earnings fall to $65,000, saving you tax dollars up front. Your withdrawals will eventually be taxed, though.

401(k)s differ in a few meaningful ways from IRAs:

Contribution limits: 401(k)s have much higher contribution limits. These typically change annually, but generally you can contribute about three times as much money to a 401(k) as an IRA.
Investment options: 401(k)s typically provide limited investment options, with most offering a dozen or fewer mutual funds. In IRAs opened at brokerages, you can invest in virtually any stock exchange-traded fund (ETF), or mutual funds.
Matching funds: Many employers match employee 401(k) contributions up to a certain percentage of pay.

When to roll over your 401(k) to an IRA

Rolling over your 401(k) to an IRA is possible only if you're leaving your current employer or your employer is discontinuing your 401(k) plan. It is an alternative to:

Leave your money invested in your existing 401(k)
Rollover to your new employer's 401(k)
Withdrawal from your 401(k), which would trigger a 10% penalty if you aren't 59 1/2 or older

A rollover (either to a new 401(k) or IRA) does not have tax consequences. This would not be the case if you do a rollover to a Roth IRA.

Rolling over a 401(k) to an IRA provides you with the opportunity to choose which brokerage you want to hold your retirement funds. It may be the right choice if:

Your new employer doesn't offer a 401(k) plan
You cannot keep your money invested in your current workplace plan because your plan is being discontinued or your 401(k) administration won't allow you to stay invested for some other reason (such as having too low of a balance)
Your new employer's 401(k) plan charges high fees, offers limited investments, or has other drawbacks
You'd prefer a wider choice of investment options

However, there are some downsides to consider:

While 401(k) loans allow you to borrow against your retirement funds, no such option exists with an IRA.
Transferring company stock can be complicated (If you've received company stock from the employer you are leaving or have just left and it's in your 401(k) account, read up on an "NUA strategy" that could save you a lot of money.)

If these downsides aren't deal breakers for you, the next step is figuring out how to roll over your 401(k) to an IRA.

How to roll over your 401(k) into an IRA

Rolling over a 401(k) into an IRA is easy. Just take the following five steps:

1. Choose a good brokerage to hold your account.

(if you aren't already invested with one): Factors to consider include cost (look for a brokerage offering $0 trading commissions and few or no other fees, such as IRA custodian fees); availability of investments; customer service; usability; and research tools.

2. Ask the brokerage and your 401(k) administrator about the transfer process.

You may need to set up an IRA first and arrange for your company to transfer funds, or may receive a check you have to deposit yourself.

3. Complete the required paperwork.

Chances are you'll have forms to complete with your 401(k) administrator to arrange for the money to be transferred. Generally, during the rollover process, whatever investments you have will be sold and cash will be deposited into your new account.

4. Get your money into your new IRA ASAP.

If your 401(k) administrator doesn't transfer the money directly to your new IRA, you must deposit it within 60 days to avoid tax penalties associated with early withdrawals.

5. Invest your newly deposited funds.

You'll have to choose investments in your new IRA so your money can grow. Make sure to maintain an appropriate asset allocation given your age, and consider your risk tolerance.

Finally, when your new IRA has been opened, be sure to read up on common IRA mistakes to avoid, such as forgetting required minimum distributions, not designating beneficiaries, and trading too often in the account.

FAQs about rolling over a 401(k) to an IRA

Can you roll a 401(k) into an IRA without penalty?

You can roll over money from a 401(k) to an IRA without penalty but must deposit your 401(k) funds within 60 days. However, there will be tax consequences if you roll over money from a traditional 401(k) to a Roth IRA.

What are the advantages of rolling over a 401(k) to an IRA?

Rolling over money from a 401(k) to an IRA allows you to gain access to more investment options than are typically available in workplace 401(k) accounts. You may also be able to avoid account management fees associated with some 401(k) plans.

How do I roll over my 401(k) to an IRA?

When you leave your job for any reason, you have the option to roll over a 401(k) to an IRA. This involves opening an account with a broker or other financial institution and completing the paperwork with your 401(k) administrator to move your funds over.

Usually, any investments in your 401(k) will be sold. The money will then be deposited into your new account or you will receive a check that you must deposit into your IRA within 60 days to avoid early withdrawal penalties.

How much does it cost to roll over a 401(k) to an IRA?

If you do the process correctly, there should be few or no costs associated with rolling over a 401(k) to an IRA. Some 401(k) administrators may charge a transfer fee or an account closure fee, which is usually under $100.

Because moving your money from a 401(k) to an IRA allows you to avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty that results if you withdraw money from a 401(k) before 59 1/2, it's a far better option if you can't (or don't want to) keep your money invested in an old employer's plan or move it to a 401(k) at your new company.

You should consider whether rolling over a 401(k) to an IRA is a better option than either leaving it invested when you leave your job or moving the money to your new employer's retirement plan. If you can avoid 401(k) management fees and gain access to investments with lower expense ratios, an IRA may be a cheaper account option.

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