401(k) Rollover in Eureka, MO. Changing jobs or careers is the start of a brand new, exciting chapter in your life. However, many Eureka, MO residents wonder what the best options are for their existing 401(k) savings. Managing multiple retirement savings accounts can be stressful without a team of expert and honest financial advisors.
401(k) Rollover in Eureka,MO
There are a few different ways to handle your 401(k) rollover in Eureka, MO, and oftentimes 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 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 belief 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 Eureka, MO.
Typically, 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), many Eureka, 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 Eureka, 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. 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 transfer the funds any time you’d like.
However, it should be mentioned that keeping your old 401(k) means you can no longer make contributions to it, 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 complicated to manage several different retirement plans with numerous custodians. Withdrawal options can be limited and have large federal withholding requirements. 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 job in Eureka, MO also offers a 401(k), most employers will let you roll over your 401(k) assets to their plan. This might be the best option 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 have special financial planning needs when rolling over your 401(k) to a new employer. 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 your personal needs dictate that 401(k) rollover or keeping your funds in your previous plan is best for you.
3. Open a Rollover IRA
IRA stands for Individual Retirement Account. A Rollover IRA is an account opened to move money from an old employer’s 401(k). If you’ve already opened 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, 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
Money deposited into a Traditional IRA are considered to be pre-tax money. Your pre-tax money you contributed to 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. After turning 72, you will be required to withdraw 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 likely to be rolled into a Roth IRA. At any time you can withdraw the money you’ve invested without having to pay taxes, and you will not pay taxes on your earnings if you are 59 ½ years old and wait at least 5 years to withdraw any funds. Contrary to 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 Eureka, 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 last option is hardly ever advisable unless you are in urgent 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 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 your pocket immediately.
Indirect vs. Direct 401(k) Rollovers in Eureka, MO
There are two different ways to actually move the money 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 plan. Each firm 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 called a 60-day rollover because the money needs to be deposited into the new account within 60 days in order to avoid paying income taxes and early withdrawal penalties.
Like cashing out a 401(k), an indirect rollover is usually not advisable unless circumstances dictate you need money now. Your Eureka, MO financial advisor will be able to help you determine which option is best.
Avoiding Common 401(k) Rollover Mistakes
Even for Eureka, MO residents with a good understanding of their finances, deciding on the best option for your 401(k) rollover can be complicated. The most common pitfalls people make when considering their options are:
- Not considering a rollover — If you like 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), it's important 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.
- Forgetting about your 401(k) — While you might think it's hard to lose track of their retirement savings, Americans lost $7.7 billion in retirement savings in 2015. A lot can come with moving to a new job, but accidentally leaving behind your savings could significantly reduce what you have available for your golden rules.
- Forgetting about 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 speaking to a financial advisor — Financial advisors will be able to help you choose the best plan for you and ensure the rollover goes as smoothly as possible.
We also assist Eureka, MO residents with:
- 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 residents of Eureka, 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 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 Eureka, MO today.
