401(k) Rollover in Ellisville, MO. Changing jobs or careers is the start of a brand new, exciting chapter in your life. However, many Ellisville, MO residents wonder what the best options are for their existing 401(k) plan. Managing multiple retirement savings accounts can be stressful without a team of expert and honest financial advisors.
401(k) Rollover in Ellisville,MO
There are a few different ways to handle your 401(k) rollover in Ellisville, MO, and usually it takes trustworthy 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 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, and will never try to convince you of something we don’t believe in ourselves. Call us today at 877-930-4015 or contact us online to learn more about 401(k) rollover options in Ellisville, 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 Ellisville, MO companies permit you to keep your retirement savings in their plan. The funds stay subject to the same rules, fees, investment plans, and withdrawal options. Many people in Ellisville, 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, federal law dictates that 401(k)s creditors cannot make claims against 401(k)s. 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 transfer the funds at some point in the future.
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 withdraw “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 decide if sticking with your old 401(k) is the best option for you.
2. Roll Over Your 401(k) to Your New Employer
If your new employer in Ellisville, MO also offers a 401(k), most employers will let you roll over your 401(k) assets 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, you will not be required to withdraw required minimum distributions after you turn 72 as long as you are still working.
If you have company stock in your previous 401(k) portfolio, 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 also contain higher fees or less diverse investment options. A trustworthy 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 stands for Individual Retirement Account. A Rollover IRA is an account used to move savings from an old employer’s 401(k). If you already have an IRA, you can consider transferring the savings there for your 401(k) rollover. Depending on how you contributed to your 401(k) plan, 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 are considered to be pre-tax money. the pre-tax money you contributed to your 401(k) will likely be put into a traditional IRA. Withdrawals from this account may be subject to taxes and an early withdrawal penalty. After turning 72, you will be required to withdraw required minimum distributions regardless of your status in the workforce.
Roth IRA
Money 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 access 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, 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 Ellisville, MO, however many of them vary when it comes to fees or other expenses. Our team of financial advisors at Correct Capital partners with several trusted financial custodians and will help you find what’s right for you.
4. Cash Out.
The fourth option is seldom 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 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 Ellisville, MO
There are two different ways to actually move the money in your 401(k):
- Direct rollover — In a direct rollover, the custodian holding your 401(k) savings will send a check directly to your new retirement account with instructions to put the money into the plan you are rolling your savings into. Each firm 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 new account. 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 usually not a good idea unless circumstances dictate you need money in the short term. Your Ellisville, MO financial advisor will help you understand what the best way to proceed is.
Avoiding Common 401(k) Rollover Pitfalls
For even the most financially literate Ellisville, MO residents, deciding what 401(k) rollover options is best for you isn't easy. The most common mistakes people make when considering their options are:
- Not weighing all your options — If you like 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 have tools and resources 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 when they aren't expecting a rollover, they may mistake it for a regular contribution that could be subject to taxes.
- Forgetting about your 401(k) — While this may sound strange, Americans accidentally abandoned almost $8 billion in retirement savings in 2015. A lot can come with moving to a new job, but neglecting to do anything about your 401(k) 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 assets with it and move those 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 deal with investment, tax planning, and other 401(k) rollover considerations every day.
We also offer a full range of other financial services in Ellisville, 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
Call a 401(k) Rollover Advisor Today
Your unique situation will dictate which 401(k) option is best for you. Many people in Ellisville, 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 founded 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 Ellisville, MO today.
