401(k) Rollover in Clayton, MO. Changing jobs or careers is the start of a brand new, exciting chapter in your life. However, many Clayton, MO residents wonder what the best options are for 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 Clayton,MO
There are several options for handling your 401(k) rollover in Clayton, MO, and usually it takes sound financial planning and a savvy financial advisor to know how to best deal with your savings. Correct Capital is an independent advisory firm whose advisors hold themselves to the fiduciary standard. This means any advice we give is based on what we believe is best for your financial needs. Our business is built on trust and your confidence that we’ll do what’s best for you. We offer unbiased, 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 Clayton, MO.
Normally, you have four options to consider when considering a 401(k) rollover.
1. Keep Your 401(k) With Your Former Employer
If you have over $5,000 invested in your 401(k), most, but not all, Clayton, 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 Clayton, 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 keep them where they are instead of a 401(k) rollover. If you leave your job between the ages of 55 and 59 ½, you may be eligible for penalty-free withdrawals. Additionally, per federal law, 401(k)s are generally protected against claims by creditors. If you keep your assets in your old 401(k), you won’t have to make any immediate decisions regarding your money, and you’re still free to roll over the funds any time you’d like.
However, it is important to note that keeping your old 401(k) means you can no longer make 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 several different 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 job in Clayton, MO also offers a 401(k), most of the time they will let you roll over your 401(k) savings to their plan. This might be the best option if you prefer the new plan’s options to your previous plan’s, including lower fees, better investment options, opportunities, guidance, or loan options. Also, required minimum distributions may be delayed even 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 a new employer. The 401(k) plan with your new employer may not contain all the benefits of your previous one. An experienced financial advisor will help you decide if you should stick with your previous plan or roll over your 401(k) to your new employer.
3. Open a Rollover IRA
IRA is an abbreviation for Individual Retirement Account. A Rollover IRA is an account opened to move money from an old employer’s 401(k). If you already have an IRA, you can consider moving the savings there for your 401(k) rollover. Depending on which type of 401(k) you were contributing to, it may be best to 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
Money deposited into a Traditional IRA may be tax-deductible. Your 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 whether or not you are still in the workforce.
Roth IRA
Money deposited into Roth IRAs are made with after-tax money, so there is no immediate tax benefit. The benefit is that Roth IRA money grows tax-free. Money you contributed to a Roth 401(k) account is typically rolled into a Roth IRA. At any time you can withdraw the money you’ve invested 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, money held in a Roth IRA is not subject to required minimum distributions.
While you may roll pre-tax money from your 401(k) plan into a Roth IRA, you would be “converting” pre-tax money into after-tax money, which means you would have to pay taxes on the money received into the Roth IRA.
You can start an IRA account with many banks or any brokerage firm in Clayton, MO, however many come with varying 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.
This final option is seldom advisable unless you are in grave need of money now. You will be subjected to a 20% federal withholding rate, 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 might result in a large amount of your funds going towards taxes and not into your back account. 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 the account immediately.
Indirect vs. Direct 401(k) Rollovers in Clayton, MO
There are two ways to rollover your 401(k):
- Direct rollover — In a direct rollover, the custodian holding your 401(k) funds will send a check directly to your new retirement account with instructions to put the money into the account you are rolling your savings into. Each custodian has its own way of doing things, so the best first step is to reach out to your previous employer's 401(k) company to ask them how to proceed.
- Indirect rollover — In an indirect rollover, the funds are paid directly to you, and you deposit the funds directly into your IRA or new 401(k). This is also referred to 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 Clayton, MO financial advisor will help you understand what the best way to proceed is.
Avoiding Common 401(k) Rollover Mistakes
Even for Clayton, MO residents with a solid grasp of their finances, deciding on the best option for your 401(k) rollover can be complicated. The most common pitfalls you should avoid are:
- Not considering a rollover — If you like many aspects of your current 401(k) plan, you may be better off sticking with it. But you would be doing yourself a disservice not to consider how a rollover could allow your money to grow more, or offer other benefits your current plan doesn't.
- Not opening a new account first — If you do open up an IRA or new 401(k), make sure to open a new account first and inform your new custodian that they'll be receiving a rollover check. If they get a check by surprise, they may think it is a regular contribution that you might have to pay taxes on.
- Forgetting about your 401(k) — While this may sound strange, Americans lost $7.7 billion in retirement savings in 2015. A new job brings a lot of life changes with it, but accidentally leaving behind your retirement funds could significantly reduce what you have available for your golden rules.
- Neglecting the same property rule — The property your new account receives must be the property that was rolled over. Meaning, you can't withdraw cash from your 401(k), buy bonds or another asset with it and move those assets into a new account. If you do that, you would have to pay property tax, and if you're less than 59½ you'll have to pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty.
- Rolling over a required minimum distribution — There is no way to roll over an RMD. If you do, you will be subject to a 6% excess IRA contribution tax.
- Not working with a retirement planner — Financial advisors will be able to help you choose the best plan for you and ensure the rollover goes as smoothly as possible.
Other services we offer in Clayton, MO include:
- Succession Planning
- Fiduciary Financial Advisor
- Company 401(k) Plans
- ESOP Advisor
- Self-Employed Retirement Plans
- 401(k) For Small Business
Contact 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 Clayton, 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 wealth of investment research that we’ll share with you. We’re built 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 Clayton, MO today.
