401(k) Rollover in Ladue, MO. Changing jobs or careers is the start of a brand new, exciting chapter in your life. However, it’s often difficult for Ladue, MO residents to know what to do with 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 Ladue,MO
There are a few different ways to handle your 401(k) rollover in Ladue, 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 belief that we’ll do what’s best for you. We offer unbiased, 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 Ladue, MO.
Typically, 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), the majority of Ladue, 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 employees in Ladue, 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 move the funds whenever 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 oversee several different retirement plans with several different 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 understand if sticking with your old 401(k) is right for you.
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2. Roll Over Your 401(k) to Your New Employer
If your new position in Ladue, MO also offers a 401(k), most employers will allow you to roll over your 401(k) assets to their plan. You may consider this if you prefer the new plan’s options to your 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 working.
If part of your previous 401(k) portfolio includes company stock, 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 not contain all the benefits of your previous one. A trustworthy 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 is an abbreviation for Individual Retirement Account. A Rollover IRA is an account used 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 which type of 401(k) you were contributing to, 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
Money deposited into a Traditional IRA may be tax-deductible. 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. Once 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
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 you do not pay taxes when you withdraw the money. 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 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. 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 Ladue, 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.
The fourth option is hardly ever advisable unless you are in grave 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 may 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 Ladue, MO
There are two ways to rollover 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 runs differently, 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, you withdraw the funds from your account, and then 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 typically not a good idea unless circumstances dictate you need money now. Your Ladue, 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 Ladue, MO residents, deciding on the best option for your 401(k) rollover can be complicated. The most common mistakes you should avoid are:
- Not weighing all your options — If you like some aspects of your current 401(k) plan, it may make sense to leave your savings there. But you would not longer be able to contribute to it, and a new account may have tools and resources that are not offered by your current plan.
- 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 when they aren't expecting a rollover, 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 neglecting to do anything about your 401(k) could significantly reduce how much you put away for retirement.
- 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 deposit those new assets into a new account. The IRS considers that taxable income, and if you're less than 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 be subject to a 6% excess IRA contribution tax.
- Not speaking to 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.
We also offer a full range of other financial services in Ladue, MO:
- Succession Planning
- Fiduciary Financial Advisor
- Company 401(k) Plans
- ESOP Advisor
- Self-Employed Retirement Plans
Contact a 401(k) Rollover Advisor Today
What to do with your 401(k) from your previous job depends on your unique situation. Many in Ladue, 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 Ladue, MO today.
