401(k) Rollover in Concord, MO. Changing jobs or careers is the start of a brand new, exciting chapter in your life. However, many Concord, MO residents wonder what the best options are for their existing 401(k) savings. Managing multiple retirement savings accounts can be complex and a pain in the neck.
401(k) Rollover in Concord,MO
There are several options for handling your 401(k) rollover in Concord, MO, and oftentimes it takes knowledgeable financial planning and a savvy financial advisor to know how to best deal with your savings. Correct Capital is an independent advisory firm with fiduciary advisors. This means our only concern is making sure your financial future and planning needs are met. 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 Concord, 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), many Concord, MO companies permit 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 Concord, 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, 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 whenever you’d like.
However, it is important to note that if you don’t rollover your old 401(k), you won’t be able to add to your savings, which may have an impact 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 daunting 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 choose whether you should stay with your old 401(k) or not.
2. Roll Over Your 401(k) to Your New Employer
If your new employer in Concord, MO also offers a 401(k), most employers will permit you to roll over your 401(k) funds to their plan. You may consider this if the new plan’s features are preferable to the previous plan’s, including lower fees, better investment options, opportunities, insight, or loan options. Also, required minimum distributions may be delayed even after you turn 72 if you are still in the workforce.
If the benefits with your previous 401(k) included company stock, you may have special financial planning needs when rolling over your 401(k) to the new account. The 401(k) plan with your new employer may also contain higher fees or less diverse investment options. A knowledgeable financial advisor will help you decide if keeping your 401(k) savings where they are is best for you.
3. Open a Rollover IRA
IRA is an abbreviation for Individual Retirement Account. A Rollover IRA is an account started to move money from a former 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, you maintain your tax status with the money you have contributed.
Traditional IRA
Contributions made to a Traditional IRA are considered to be pre-tax money. 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. When you turn 72, you will be obligated to take out required minimum distributions regardless of whether or not you are still in the workforce.
Roth IRA
Contributions to Roth IRAs are made with after-tax money, so there is no immediate tax benefit. The benefit is that you do not pay taxes when you withdraw the money. Money you contributed to a Roth 401(k) account is often rolled into a Roth IRA. At any time you can access the money you’ve invested without tax consequences, and your earnings are not taxed if you keep your account for at least 5 years, and are at least 59 ½ when funds are withdrawn. Different from 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 open an IRA with many banks or any brokerage firm in Concord, 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 the best fit for you.
4. Cash Out.
This last option is hardly ever 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 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 the account immediately.
Indirect vs. Direct 401(k) Rollovers in Concord, 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 IRA or 401(k). Each custodian runs differently, 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, the funds are paid directly to you, and you deposit the funds directly into your new account. This is also known as a 60-day rollover because you need to redeposit the money within 60 days in order to avoid paying income taxes and early withdrawal penalties.
Like cashing out a 401(k), an indirect rollover is generally not advisable unless circumstances dictate you need money in the short term. Your Concord, MO financial advisor will be able to help you determine which option is best.
Avoiding Common 401(k) Rollover Mistakes
Even for Concord, MO residents with a solid understanding of their finances, deciding on the best option for your 401(k) rollover can be complicated. The most common mistakes you should avoid include:
- Not weighing all your options — If you like your current 401(k) plan, it may make sense to leave your savings there. 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 rollover your 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 could be subject to taxes.
- Neglecting your old 401(k) — While you might think it's hard to lose track of their retirement savings, Americans lost over $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 how much you put away for retirement.
- Neglecting the same property rule — The funds you roll over must be the "same property." Meaning, you can't withdraw cash 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 have to pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty.
- Rolling over a required minimum distribution — You are not allowed to roll over an RMD. If you do, you will have to pay 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 pro and cons of each of your options.
Other services we offer in Concord, MO include:
- 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
Call a 401(k) Rollover Advisor Today
What to do with your 401(k) from your previous job depends on your unique situation. Many in Concord, 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 great amount of investment research that we’ll share with you. 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 make the best decision for your 401(k) rollover. Call 877-930-4015 or reach out to our financial advisors in Concord, MO today.
