401(k) Rollover in Richmond Heights, MO. Starting a new job is an exciting time that can present you with new challenges and opportunities. However, many Richmond Heights, 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 Richmond Heights,MO
There are several options for handling your 401(k) rollover in Richmond Heights, MO, and oftentimes it takes trustworthy financial planning and an experienced financial advisor to know how to best deal with your savings. Correct Capital is a privately owned firm with fiduciary advisors. 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 impartial, 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 Richmond Heights, 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 Richmond Heights, 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 residents of Richmond Heights, 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. 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 at some point in the future.
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 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 several different custodians. 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 Richmond Heights, MO also offers a 401(k), most of the time they will allow you to roll over your 401(k) savings to their plan. You may consider this if the new plan has better benefits than the previous plan, including lower fees, better investment options, opportunities, advice, or loan options. Also, you will not be required to withdraw required minimum distributions 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 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 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 opened 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 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, you maintain your tax status with the money you have contributed.
Traditional IRA
Money deposited into a Traditional IRA may be tax-deductible. 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. Upon turning 72, you will be required to withdraw required minimum distributions regardless of whether or not you are still in the workforce.
Roth IRA
Savings deposited into Roth IRAs are made with money you already paid taxes on, so you’ll need to wait until the money is withdrawn to see a tax benefit. The benefit is that Roth IRA money grows tax-free. Money you contributed to a Roth 401(k) account is often rolled into a Roth IRA. At any time you can withdraw 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 the money is withdrawn. 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 Richmond Heights, 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 almost never 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 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 your pocket immediately.
Indirect vs. Direct 401(k) Rollovers in Richmond Heights, MO
There are two different ways to actually move the funds in 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 plan you are rolling your funds into. Each firm follows a different procedure, 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 savings directly into your IRA or new 401(k). This is also called 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 advisable unless circumstances dictate you need money now. Your Richmond Heights, MO financial advisor will be able to help you determine which option is best.
Avoiding Common 401(k) Rollover Mistakes
Even for Richmond Heights, 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 people make when considering their options include:
- Not weighing all your options — If you like some 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 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 that the new account is already open, and that your new custodian is expecting a rollover. If they get a check when they aren't expecting a rollover, they may mistake it for a regular contribution that you might have to pay taxes on.
- Neglecting your old 401(k) — While you might think it's hard to lose track of their retirement savings, Americans accidentally abandoned almost $8 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 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. The IRS considers that taxable income, and if you're under 59½ you'll also be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty.
- Rolling over a required minimum distribution — There is no way to roll over a required minimum distribution. If you do, you will be subject to 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.
Other services we offer in Richmond Heights, 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
Your unique situation will dictate which 401(k) option is best for you. Many people in Richmond Heights, 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 decide how to best manage your 401(k) rollover. Call 877-930-4015 or reach out to our financial advisors in Richmond Heights, MO today.
