Senior Wealth Advisor
401(k) & Rollover Guidance
A clear look at your 401(k) choices
Changing jobs or retiring often brings an old 401(k) back into focus. You may be wondering whether to leave it where it is, move it to a new employer’s plan, roll it into an IRA, or take a distribution.
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Each path has its own investments, costs, services, tax considerations, withdrawal rules, and protections. I’ll help you compare the choices in the context of your larger financial plan before you move the money.
The four common paths
1
Leave the assets in the former employer’s plan
Some plans allow former employees to keep their accounts in place. The plan may offer competitive investments, familiar tools, or protections that matter to you. It may also have limits on investments, access, or personal guidance. We’ll confirm the plan’s rules and review the features that affect you.
2
Move the assets to a new employer plan
If the new plan accepts rollovers, combining accounts may make them easier to follow. Before making that choice, we’ll review the new plan’s investments, expenses, services, loan features, distribution rules, and protections.
3
Roll the assets to an IRA
An IRA may offer a wider investment menu, ongoing advice, and planning alongside your other accounts. It may also involve advisory fees or other costs and can have different protections and distribution features. We’ll compare those differences with the employer-plan options available to you.
4
Take a taxable distribution
Taking the money in cash may create current income taxes and, depending on your age and circumstances, an additional penalty. It also removes the assets from tax-deferred retirement savings. If you need access to the funds, we’ll look at the tax impact and how the withdrawal may affect other goals.
What We'll Compare
Plan and advisory costs
Access to funds, loans, and distribution features
Investment choices and any distinctive plan options
Creditor and legal protections
The advice and service you want
Whether combining accounts would make planning easier
Tax considerations, including employer stock
or after-tax contributions when applicable
Your age, work status, retirement timing, and overall
financial plan
The best choice depends on the features that matter to you and the job this account needs to do.
Give yourself time to compare
Rollover paperwork often arrives while you are already managing a job change or retirement. Reviewing the choices before completing the forms can help you understand what each option offers and preserve the alternatives available to you.
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If staying in the current plan or moving to a new employer plan appears to fit better, I’ll explain why.