Should I Move My 401k When I Change Jobs

Balance Less Than $1000

If you have less than $1,000 in your 401, your employer could give you a lump-sum check for the amount.

If you didnât intend to receive your funds in this manner, youâll have 60 days from the date you terminated your 401 to roll the funds over to your current 401 or an IRA. Otherwise, the IRS will hit you with a 10% early withdrawal penalty tax for the amount.

Option : Move Your 401 From Your Old Companys Plan To Your New Companys Plan

You dont have to roll over your 401 to an IRA. You can transfer the money to your new companys 401.

Again its important to evaluate and compare your old 401 plan, the 401 plan at your new company and your IRA options.

Which is the least expensive? What investment options does each plan include?

If your new plan is similar to your old plan, it may just be easier from a communication and personal organization standpoint to merge your old 401 with the plan at your new company.

Access To A Roth Option

An increasing number of employers are offering a Roth 401 option in addition to the traditional 401 option. With a Roth 401, the money you contribute is after-taxit doesnt minimize your taxable income. But when you take distributions in retirement, you wont have to pay taxes on the withdrawal amount. As long as the account has been open for five years and youre over 59 ½, you can receive tax-free distributions.

A Roth 401 option can be appealing if you feel your income in retirement will be higher than your current income. If your new employer offers this benefit and you think it will be advantageous to your financial situation, then rolling over your 401 to a Roth 401 plan may make sense.

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Balance Between $1000 And $5000

For 401 balances less than $5,000, your employer doesnât need your permission to transfer your funds out of the 401 plan.

However, if you have over $1,000 in your 401âand you havenât opted to have your funds rolled over to a specific accountâthe planâs administrator is required to transfer your 401 funds to an IRA.

Rolling Over Your 401 From A Previous Employer

Having your 401 funds rolled over to another retirement account is a great option. Rolling over old 401s to a new retirement account ensures youâll continue growing your retirement fund, and youâll avoid being penalized for an early withdrawal.

Your previous employer can release your 401 in two ways: direct and indirect rollovers.

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Roll It Over Into Your New 401

If you start a new job and the employer offers a 401, look at the investment options and the fees in the new plan. Some fees are really low in 401 plans, so you may want to roll your old 401 into your new one.

Having everything in one account, instead of having multiple 401 plans from different jobs, helps keep your retirement savings streamlined, Berra said.

To start the process, speak to your new human resources department to make sure your new plan accepts rollovers. Then, you’ll have to fill out paperwork form your new plan, as well as a transfer form from your old employer.

Transfer The Assets To A Qualified Annuity

Transferring your 401 to a qualified deferred annuity is not an option many people know about, and one which fewer people take. Except in certain instances, it is not the best option.

Possible Advantages: Assets continue to be tax deferred until you receive distributions and you will not pay taxes or early withdrawal penalties to transfer your 401 directly to a qualified annuity. An annuity creates an income stream that you wont outlive, instead of having a finite pool of money from which to withdraw funds . Your heirs may be able to inherit your annuity if you pass away during the accumulation phase.

Possible Disadvantages: Rolling a 401 into an annuity is an irrevocable decision once made, the decision cannot be reversed. Many annuities come with higher expense ratios than 401 plans or IRAs, and some states charge high tax premiums on annuity purchases. In addition, you may pass away before your annuity pays out the amount of money you would have had in your 401 or IRA, leaving nothing for your heirs.

Verdict: This is not for me. This is not to say annuities are bad, but there are many variables involved and I do not know enough about them to write about all their intricacies. If you think this may be for you, consider speaking with a certified financial planner or other professional for more details. Final note: beware of salesmen. Many annuities are pushed heavily because they are extremely profitable for the company that manages them.

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Option : Leave Your Money In Your Old Companys 401 Plan

If your old 401 has at least $5,000 in it, chances are youll be able to leave it where it is.

Clark says that if the 401 plan fees at your old and new jobs are equal, you should move it just because its better to reduce the number of accounts you have in your life.

Over a working lifetime, you could end up with many different 401 plans, Clark says. Ive talked to people who have been working for decades and they have five or more orphaned 401 plans. They cant even figure out how to contact the administrator of those plans.

Its important to evaluate your current 401 plan against all other options before making a decision. If the fees in your previous companys plan are significantly lower, it may be worth it to leave your funds there.

Also make sure you consider the ramifications of leaving your plan with your old company. You may not be able to make partial withdrawals since youre no longer an employee. You also may not be able to take out a loan against your 401.

Of course, youll also no longer be making contributions and receiving a company match.

Again, this may sound like a negative option at this point, but keep reading. It could be a good choice for you.

Option : Roll It Into An Ira

If your new employer doesnt offer a 401 or you dont like their option, you can roll your 401 into an IRA.

Rolling over accounts is easier than it sounds. You may need to open an IRA at a brokerage company and sign a few papers that allow the brokerage to transfer the money into your new account. This option will help keep your balance growing tax deferred and you can continue to make tax-deferred contributions.

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Focus On Details For Both Old And New Retirement Savings

There are four choices for your old plan:

• Keep your money where its at, if allowed. Note that some plans dont allow this option if you have a low balance .
• Move your money to your new employers plan. This is typically an option if youre joining a company that offers a retirement plan and allows roll-ins.
• Roll your savings from your 401 into an IRA. Combining retirement accounts gives you flexibility in decision-making to ensure your assets are supporting your goals. Learn how to start a rollover IRA.
• Cash out your account balance. It may be tempting to have the money now but there are serious downsides: Hefty taxes and penaltiesup to 30%and youll miss out on any future growth or earnings. Learn more about cashing out your 401.

For your new plan consider:

• Can you save more to help meet your retirement goals? Did the new job come with a higher salary? says Heather Winston, assistant director of financial planning and advice at Principal. Is now a good time to consider increasing how much youre saving from each paycheck? Learn more about creating your retirement plan.
• Does your employer offer a savings match? If so, how much will you need to defer to take full advantage of it?

Choose Which Type Of Ira Account To Open

A 401 rollover to an IRA may give you more investment options and lower fees than your old 401 had.

• If you do a rollover to a Roth IRA, youll owe taxes on the rolled amount.

• If you do a rollover to a traditional IRA, the taxes are deferred.

• If you do a rollover from a Roth 401, you won’t incur taxes if you roll to a Roth IRA.

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Taking The Cash Distribution May Cost You

Avoiding cash distributions can save you from taxes and penalties, because any amount you fail to roll over will be treated as a taxable distribution. As a result, it would also be subject to the 10% penalty if you are under age 59 1/2.

Since the taxable portion of a distribution will be added to any other taxable income you have during the year, you could move into a higher tax bracket.

Using the previous example, if a single taxpayer with $50,000 of taxable income were to decide not to roll over any portion of the $100,000 distribution, they would report $150,000 of taxable income for the year. That would put them in a higher tax bracket. They also would have to report $10,000 in additional penalty tax, if they were under the age of 59 1/2.

Only use cash distributions as a last resort. That means extreme cases of financial hardship. These hardships may include facing foreclosure, eviction, or repossession. If you have to go this route, only take out funds needed to cover the hardship, plus any taxes and penalties you will owe.

The CARES Act, enacted on March 27, 2020, provided some relief for those who need to make withdrawals from a retirement plan. It lifted penalties for withdrawals made through December 2020 and provides three years to pay back any early withdrawals.

Its Your Money And Your Choice

When it comes to what to do, there are advantages and disadvantages to all options so theres no one right answer for all. You need to review your options and choose whats best for you and your retirement. Retirement savings is one of the most important and long-lasting investment decisions youll ever make. If youre not sure what to do, you always have the option of talking to an advisor. Whether you need a bit of advice or a comprehensive financial plan, a Certified Financial Planner can help guide you in the right direction.

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Update Your Financial Plan

Changing jobs is a good time to revisit your financial plan, especially if youre gaining a welcome income jump. If you have a bigger paycheck, be wary of lifestyle creep where the more you make, the more you spend, Winston says.

You should consider the differences in investment options and risks, fees and expenses, tax implications, services and penalty-free withdrawals for your various options. There may be other factors to consider due to your specific needs and situation. You may wish to consult your tax advisor or legal counsel. The subject matter in this communication is educational only and provided with the understanding that Principal® is not rendering legal, accounting, investment or tax advice. You should consult with appropriate counsel, financial professional or other advisors on all matters pertaining to legal, tax, investment or accounting obligations and requirements.

Principal® does not make available products related to Health Savings Accounts.

Disability insurance has exclusions and limitations. Costs and coverage details can be obtained from your financial professional.

Investment advisory products offered through Principal Advised Services, LLC. Principal Advised Services is a member of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.

How To Roll Over Your 401

So, how do you transfer your 401 to a new job? If you decide to roll your funds into your new employers 401, youll most likely need to:

1. Contact the plan administrator to arrange the rollover. You may need to choose the types of investment you would like before you initiate the rollover. If not, you can take a lump-sum transfer and allocate the funds gradually to different investments of your choosing.2. Complete any forms required by your employer for the rollover. 3. Request that your former plan administrator send the fund via electronic transfer or a check so you can move the funds directly to the administrator of the new plan.

Its possible that you might have to wait until your employers next open enrollment period to complete the rollover, but you might consider using that time to research the plans investment options so youll be ready when the time comes.

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Move The 401 To Your New Employers 401

If you change companies, its typically no problem to rollover your old retirement plan into your new employers 401. With a little bit of paperwork, the old plan administrator can simply shift the contents of your account directly into the new plan account with a direct transfer. This custodian-to-custodian transaction is not considered taxable.

Another option is to elect to have your balance distributed to you in check format, which you can then deposit into your new 401 account within 60 days, without paying the income tax. If you are a sole proprietor, freelancer, or entrepreneur, you may also consider setting up your own Solo 401 for yourself at this point. If you are in the middle of a lawsuit or worry about future claims against your assets, leaving your money in a 401 is going to offer better protection against liquidation.

You May Be Paying Hidden Fees

There are all sorts of fees that go into effect when you open a 401, including recordkeeping fees, maintenance fees, and fund fees. Expressed in a percentage, these fees inform the expense ratio of a plan.

Employers may cover those fees until you leave the company. Once youre gone, that cost might shift to you without you even realizing it.

Fees matter: When you pay a fee on your 401, youre not just losing the cost of the fee youre also losing all the compound interest that would grow along with it over time. The sooner you roll your plan over, the more you could potentially save.

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A Closer Look At Your Available Options

The good news is whatever money thats in your 401 is yours to do with as you like. But when you no longer work for a company, any retirement accounts you have through your former company might need to be moved to your new employer. Or you may need to roll it over or into a brokerage account that you own completely.

Keep On Track With Your Financial Goals When Changing Jobs

Keep saving for your future.

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When moving on from a current job and starting a new one, you have options. Here are a few things to consider when making the transition.

When changing jobs, you have four options for your previous employers 401 or 403:

• Stay in your plan
• Roll over to your new employers plan

• Roll over to an IRA

• Cash out

Update Information

If you currently invest with us, be sure to update your information to include any change in address, beneficiaries, or employment.

Striking out on your own is a big decision and one that can bring a lot of satisfaction. Planning for your future becomes even more important when taking this step. We offer several options to help you and your employees save for retirement.

For a variety of reasons, many people opt to continue working once in retirement. Here are a few things to consider if you are thinking about taking this step.

With a regular source of income, you can continue contributing to your existing retirement savings accounts. Just keep in mind:

• Once you reach age 70½, you can no longer contribute to a Traditional IRA and must start taking required minimum distributions .
• You can always contribute to a Roth IRA, regardless of age.
• IRS Contribution limits do apply.

By continuing to work, you might be able to delay taking monthly Social Security benefits. Just keep in mind:

Continuing to work could push you into a higher tax bracket. Just keep in mind:

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When Not To Roll Over Your Retirement Account

There can be good reasons to NOT roll over an old 401 or 403 to an IRA. For tax reasons, its generally not a good idea to roll over company stock that has appreciated in value.

Second, if youre afraid of bankruptcy or are planning to retire early, leveraging your employers 401 or 403 provides additional protection from creditors and could allow you to take out funds before age 59 ½ without penalty.

Finally, while this is not a reason to avoid a rollover to an IRA, its important to note that many financial professionals will get a commission if you use them to roll your dollars to an IRA, but not if you roll your dollars to your new 401.

Third If You Choose Not To Roll Over You Can End Up With Too Many Retirement Accounts

Fewer accounts mean more than just fewer passwords its also easier to estimate your savings.

Most importantly, having your money invested across multiple accounts makes it very difficult to create a coherent investment strategy.

Most financial experts advise that you invest in riskier assets like stocks when youre young and shift to more conservative investments like bonds as you get closer to retirement.

• Why Is Taking Some Financial Risk Important?

That strategy allows you to maximize growth but also helps protect your wealth in case of a market downturn.

When your retirement is held across five or more plans, it is very challenging to manage your investing allocations.

These three reasons are the primary drawbacks of doing nothing with your 401 or 403 or rolling your money to your new employers plan.

Now, for the advantages of a rollover to an IRA .

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