401(k) Rollover in Arnold, MO. Starting a new job is an exciting time that can present you with new challenges and opportunities. However, it’s often difficult for Arnold, MO residents to know what to do with their 401(k) with their previous employer. Managing multiple retirement savings accounts can be stressful without a team of expert and honest financial advisors.
401(k) Rollover in Arnold,MO
There are a few different ways to handle your 401(k) rollover in Arnold, MO, and oftentimes it takes trustworthy financial planning and an experienced financial advisor to know how to best deal with your savings. Correct Capital is an independent advisory firm with fiduciary advisors. This means we work in your best interest to make sure your money is working for you as you want it to. Our business is built on trust and your confidence that we’ll do what’s best for you. We offer objective, expert advice, that we give free of the conflict of interest that can occur with public shareholders or parent company relationships. Call us today at 877-930-4015 or contact us online to learn more about 401(k) rollover options in Arnold, MO.
Generally speaking, you have four options to consider when considering a 401(k) rollover.
1. Keep Your 401(k) With Your Previous Employer
If you have over $5,000 invested in your 401(k), most, but not all, Arnold, MO companies allow you to keep your accrued savings in their plan. The funds stay subject to the same rules, fees, investment plans, and withdrawal options. Many people in Arnold, MO already like the benefits of their 401(k), such as their investment options, website, or any investing tools or guidance they offer. In this case, it may make sense to not roll over your 401(k), and to keep the savings where they are. If you leave your job between the ages of 55 and 59 ½, you may be eligible for penalty-free withdrawals. Additionally, federal law dictates that 401(k)s creditors cannot make claims against 401(k)s. keeping your assets in your original 401(k) frees you from having to make rushed decisions about where to place your money, and you’re still free to roll over the funds any time you’d like.
However, it should be mentioned that if you don’t rollover your old 401(k), you won’t be able to continue adding contributions to it, which may have an effect on your retirement planning. After the age of 72, you will be required to take out “required minimum distributions” from those 401(k) accounts you have at old employers. It can also be a hassle to oversee several different retirement plans with numerous recordkeepers. Withdrawal options can be limited and large amounts of your money will be withheld. You would not be able to take out a 401(k) loan. Correct Capital's retirement consultants can help you understand if sticking with your old 401(k) is right for you.
2. Roll Over Your 401(k) to Your New Employer
If your new employer in Arnold, MO also offers a 401(k), most of the time they will permit you to roll over your 401(k) funds to their plan. This might be the best option if the new plan has better benefits than the previous plan, including lower fees, better investment options, opportunities, guidance, or loan options. Also, you will not be required to withdraw required minimum distributions after you turn 72 as long as you are still in the workforce.
If the benefits with your previous 401(k) included company stock, you may require special financial planning needs when rolling over your 401(k) to the new account. The 401(k) plan with your new employer may not contain all the benefits of your previous one. A knowledgeable financial advisor will help you decide if a 401(k) rollover or sticking with your previous plan is right for you.
3. Open a Rollover IRA
IRA is an abbreviation for Individual Retirement Account. A Rollover IRA is an account opened to move funds from an old employer’s 401(k). If you’ve already opened an IRA, you can consider moving the funds there for your 401(k) rollover. Depending on how you contributed to your 401(k) plan, you may roll money to a Traditional or a Roth IRA. This way, the tax status of the money you already invested is not affected.
Traditional IRA
Contributions made to a Traditional IRA may be tax-deductible. the pre-tax money you paid into your 401(k) is likely to be rolled over into this account. Withdrawals from this account may be subject to taxes and an early withdrawal penalty. Upon turning 72, you will have to withdraw required minimum distributions regardless of your status in the workforce.
Roth IRA
Savings deposited into Roth IRAs are made with after-tax money, so there is no tax benefit until the money is withdrawn. The benefit is that Roth IRA money grows tax-free. Money you contributed to a Roth 401(k) account is usually rolled into a Roth IRA. At any time you can take out the contributions you make without tax consequences, and if you maintain the account for at least 5 years and are 59 ½ years old, you do not pay taxes on your earnings. Unlike Roth 401(k) contributions, there are no required minimum distributions in a Roth IRA.
While you may roll pre-tax money from your 401(k) plan into a Roth IRA, you will pay taxes on the amount received into a Roth IRA as you are “converting” pre-tax money into after-tax money.
You can open an IRA with many banks or any brokerage firm in Arnold, MO, however they often vary in terms of fees or other expenses. Our team of financial advisors at Correct Capital partners with several trusted financial custodians and will help you find one that suits your needs.
4. Cash Out.
The fourth option is almost never advisable unless you are in desperate need of money now. You will be subjected to a 20% federal tax, and could face a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you take the money out before you are 59 ½ years old or if you separate before 55 years old. This could potentially result in a large amount of your withdrawal going towards taxes and not into your pocket. Additionally, the money won’t keep growing and it will no longer be tax-deferred. Therefore, a 401(k) rollover is preferable if you do not need the money in your pocket immediately.
Indirect vs. Direct 401(k) Rollovers in Arnold, MO
There are two different ways to actually move the funds in your 401(k):
- Direct rollover — In a direct rollover, your former 401(k) company will send a check directly to your new retirement account with instructions to put the money into your new account. Each custodian follows a different procedure, so the best first step is to reach out to your previous employer's 401(k) company for their process.
- Indirect rollover — In an indirect rollover, you withdraw the funds from your account, and then you deposit the savings directly into your new account. This is also known as a 60-day rollover because there is a 60-day time limit for when you can deposit the money, or else you could end up paying income taxes and early withdrawal penalties.
Like cashing out a 401(k), an indirect rollover is typically not a good idea unless circumstances dictate you need money in the short term. Your Arnold, MO financial advisor will be able to help you determine which option is best.
Avoiding Common 401(k) Rollover Pitfalls
Even for Arnold, MO residents with a solid grasp of their finances, a 401(k) rollover is not something most people have experience with. The most common mistakes you should avoid include:
- Not considering all your options — If you like some aspects of your current 401(k) plan, you may be better off sticking with it. But you would not longer be able to contribute to it, and a new plan may offer other benefits that are not offered by your current plan.
- Not opening a new account first — If you do rollover your 401(k), it's important that the new account is already open, and that your new custodian is expecting a rollover. If they get a check when they aren't expecting a rollover, they may think it is a regular contribution that you might have to pay taxes on.
- Forgetting about your 401(k) — While you might be surprised that people lose track of their retirement savings, Americans accidentally abandoned $7.7 billion in retirement savings in 2015. A new job brings a lot of life changes with it, but neglecting to do anything about your 401(k) could significantly reduce what you have available for your golden rules.
- Not taking into account the same property rule — Any savings that you roll over must be the "same property." Meaning, you can't take a cash distribution from your 401(k), buy bonds or another asset with it and deposit those new assets into a new account. The IRS considers that taxable income, and if you're under 59½ you'll also be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty.
- Rolling over a required minimum distribution — You are not allowed to roll over a required minimum distribution. If you do, you will be subject to a 6% excess IRA contribution tax.
- Not consulting with a financial advisor — Financial advisors are well-versed in 401(k) rollovers, proper procedure, and the advantages and disadvantages of each of your options.
We also offer a full range of other financial services in Arnold, MO:
- Succession Planning
- Fiduciary Financial Advisor
- Company 401(k) Plans
- ESOP Advisor
- Self-Employed Retirement Plans
- 401(k) For Small Business
- Small Business Retirement Plans
- Tax Planning
Speak to a 401(k) Rollover Advisor Today
What to do with your 401(k) from your previous job depends on your unique situation. Many people in Arnold, MO have found choosing Correct Capital as their financial advisors to be the best decision for them. Our financial advisors operate under the fiduciary principle, which means that we are legally bound to act in good faith and have your best interests at heart. As Registered Investment Advisors, we have access to a vast array of investment research that we’ll provide you with. We’re based on trust, honesty, and integrity.
Call us today at 877-930-4015, contact us online, or schedule an appointment with our financial and retirement planning advisors to decide how to best manage your 401(k) rollover. Call 877-930-4015 or reach out to our financial advisors in Arnold, MO today.
