Is it Better to Rollover to a 401k Or an IRA?
401(k) plans provide workers with many benefits, including tax-free investing. But there can be numerous pitfalls when shifting money between accounts – speak to your financial planner before determining whether a rollover is suitable.
Need the help of an investing professional to assist with a 401k rollover? SmartVestor can connect you with one in your area.
401(k)s offer a variety of investment options
Dependent upon your circumstances, it could make sense to convert your 401(k) to an Individual Retirement Account or Roth IRA. Doing so enables you to consolidate and manage your savings easier as well as taking advantage of better investment options and lower fees.
If you decide to convert your 401(k) into an IRA, it’s essential that you choose an investment provider with low fees and an extensive range of investments – there are several providers such as online brokers or robo-advisors available to choose from.
However, you should strongly consider leaving your 401(k) as is if its investment options and fees are adequate. Otherwise, cashing out a portion for living expenses (taking into account 20% taxes due and an additional 10% penalty if under age 59 1/2) might leave less money available over time – financial advisors can assist in helping determine which option would work best for you.
They are tax-deferred
At times it makes sense to transfer 401(k) assets into an IRA account; typically IRAs offer lower fees and greater investment choices than their 401(k) counterparts. Before moving your money over, be sure to consult our free Fee Analyzer tool so you can assess how the fees could impact your retirement savings.
If you convert your 401(k) into a traditional IRA, no taxes will be due upon transfer; any new earnings will only be subject to taxes when they’re withdrawn from the account.
Once you decide to rollover your IRA, search for an online broker or robo-advisor with competitive fees and an extensive selection of high-quality investments. NerdWallet’s ratings consider fees and minimums, investment selection, customer support capabilities and mobile app capabilities; then select target-date funds or low-cost investments that fit with your investment time horizon and risk tolerance – real estate or nonpublicly traded assets may also be viable options to consider when selecting your target-date fund(s).
They are easier to manage
Many people can benefit from converting their old 401(k) into an IRA, which often features lower fees and greater investment options. Unfortunately, direct transfers could incur federal income taxation as well as an early withdrawal penalty of 10% – both which could reduce investment growth over time.
IRAs may also be easier to administer than employer plans, which often require more paperwork and tracking of fees. Unfortunately, however, IRAs don’t offer similar perks like matching contributions and loans as their counterparts; additionally, they do not provide any protection against creditors that 401(k)s do.
Manage retirement savings across multiple accounts can be complex, making keeping track of fees difficult. NerdWallet’s free tools are here to help make managing retirement more straightforward – sign up for NerdWallet’s newsletter, follow them on social media like Facebook and follow NerdWallet on its Personal Finance Blog for more stories and advice!
They are more flexible
Millions of people annually convert their workplace 401(k) accounts to individual retirement accounts (IRAs). This transition often occurs after retiring or starting with a different employer; they offer more flexible contribution limits, investment choices and lower fees than many workplace retirement plans.
However, it’s essential that you consider both the tax implications of a rollover as well as its advantages and costs associated with each type of account before selecting one for yourself. Selecting the ideal account can have a profound effect on both retirement savings and investment performance.
Direct Rollovers are often the preferred method, as they require only one transaction and do not involve distribution and withholding tax liabilities. NerdWallet offers a free IRA checklist to assist in your search for suitable providers or robo-advisors with respect to fees, investment options and features.
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