A 401(k) is a tax-deferred savings account where employees make contributions equivalent to a percentage of their salary, providing a smart way for people to save for retirement but it can be complex and confusing.
When leaving a job, your options for your 401k funds include leaving them with your employer or transferring them into an IRA. Working with your financial advisor can help determine which option best fits your circumstances.
Taxes
There are various options for withdrawing a 401k account, from leaving it with your employer, rolling it over into an IRA, or cashing it out – the decision ultimately depends on several factors like plan rules, fees & expenses as well as any potential tax consequences.
Withdrawals from 401k accounts generally incur both income tax and an early withdrawal penalty of 10%; this tax aims to encourage long-term participation in retirement plans.
Withdrawals from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) typically don’t incur penalties; however, you must satisfy certain requirements to qualify.
Under certain conditions, you can use money from your IRA for qualified expenses like tuition or down payments on real estate purchases. First-time home buyers have an exception that allows them to withdraw up to $10,000 without incurring tax penalties.
Once you make the decision to roll over your 401k, funds must be deposited into a new IRA within 60 days – something which may prove challenging if your old account contains both pre-tax and Roth money.
Withdrawals
Many individuals have set aside savings for retirement in tax-advantaged accounts like an IRA or 401k plan, yet find themselves short on funds for living expenses, education costs or other necessities.
IRS rules permit withdrawals of your IRA or 401k without incurring the usual 10% penalty if it’s for qualified reasons – such as higher education expenses, first home purchases and hardship situations.
Tax experts can help you decide whether a withdrawal is appropriate and when to take it – early or after age 59 1/2. In addition, they may advise rolling funds from an IRA/401k into a Roth IRA in case you decide to convert to this type of account.
If you anticipate that Social Security benefits will become more generous over time, delaying taking required minimum distributions may provide greater rewards when reaching retirement age, since delaying benefits increases them by an estimated 8% each year that passes.
IRAs
An Individual Retirement Account, commonly known as an IRA, allows individuals to save for the future tax-deferred. An IRA gives more investment flexibility compared to employer sponsored plans such as 401(k). You have access to stocks, bonds and mutual funds in this vehicle for saving for retirement.
Establish an IRA through banks, investment firms or any financial services companies to ensure your funds can grow without incurring tax burdens over time. Once contributions have been made to an IRA account, its funds can compound without any tax implications year-after-year.
An IRA provides another great benefit, in that you can use its funds to cover certain medical expenses such as premiums if they cannot be covered from other sources. This option can be especially helpful for new parents needing money for birth and/or adoption costs.
Withdrawals made prior to age 59 1/2 are subject to both ordinary income tax and a 10% penalty; however, exceptions exist in special situations, such as purchasing your first home or incurring higher education expenses.
Rollovers
Rollovers provide a secure way of moving retirement accounts without creating tax issues, and are an option that may help transfer 401k money directly into an IRA, or move an IRA account from one employer plan to the next.
Rollovers may also be worthwhile if you are changing jobs and no longer have access to your original investments, or your new employer offers better ones than before. Advisors recommend rolling your 401(k) over into an IRA for greater access and reduced costs on funds invested with it.
To complete a rollover, first contact the plan administrator of your former employer’s 401k fund and request its distribution. Next, open an account at an financial institution that offers accounts compatible with what type of rollover account you want your 401k money placed into.