401(k) Rollover in Sunset Hills, MO. Starting a new job is an exciting time that can present you with new challenges and opportunities. However, many Sunset Hills, MO residents wonder what the best options are for their 401(k) with their previous employer. Managing multiple retirement savings accounts can be complex and take more time than many people are willing to put in.
401(k) Rollover in Sunset Hills,MO
There are a few different ways to handle your 401(k) rollover in Sunset Hills, MO, and usually it takes trustworthy financial planning and an experienced financial advisor to know which option is best for you. 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, 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 Sunset Hills, 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), the majority of Sunset Hills, MO companies allow you to keep your retirement savings in their plan. The funds stay subject to the same rules, fees, investment plans, and withdrawal options. Many employees in Sunset Hills, 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, 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 should be mentioned that keeping your old 401(k) means you can no longer make contributions to it, which may have an effect 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 numerous 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 job in Sunset Hills, MO also offers a 401(k), most of the time they will permit 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, insight, or loan options. Also, required minimum distributions may be delayed even after you turn 72 as long as you are still working.
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 not contain all the benefits of your previous one. 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 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 money 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, 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 paid into 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. Upon turning 72, you will have to take out required minimum distributions regardless of your status in the workforce.
Roth IRA
Contributions to Roth IRAs are made with money you already paid taxes on, so there is no tax benefit at the time the contributions are made. 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 withdraw the contributions you make 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. Unlike 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 Sunset Hills, 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.
This last option is rarely advisable unless you are in desperate 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 your pocket immediately.
Indirect vs. Direct 401(k) Rollovers in Sunset Hills, MO
There are two ways to rollover 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 your new plan. Each custodian is different, 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 typically not advisable except under specific circumstances. Your Sunset Hills, MO financial advisor will help you understand what the best way to proceed is.
Avoiding Common 401(k) Rollover Mistakes
Even for Sunset Hills, MO residents with a solid understanding of their finances, deciding what 401(k) rollover options is best for you isn't easy. The most common mistakes people make when considering their options 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 not longer be able to contribute to it, and a new account 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 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 could be subject to taxes.
- Forgetting about your 401(k) — While this may sound strange, Americans lost over $7 billion in retirement savings in 2015. A new job brings a lot of life changes with it, but accidentally leaving behind your retirement funds could significantly impact what you have available for your golden rules.
- Not taking into account 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. If you do that, you would have to pay property tax, and if you're under 59½ you'll have to pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty.
- Rolling over a required minimum distribution — There is no way to roll over an RMD. If you do, you will be subject to a 6% penalty tax on any excess amount.
- Not working 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.
We also offer a full range of other financial services in Sunset Hills, 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 residents of Sunset Hills, 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 wealth 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 Sunset Hills, MO today.
