401K cash distribution....?

Question

I have left my old job where i have a 401K account. I have never put any of my own money into this account..my employer did. Now can i take a cash distribution of this money? I know all the tax and all the details of doing so. Please help.

Answer 1

In many cases you can request a distribution immediately upon termination. Whether or not this is true depends on the rules of your former employer's plan. Many plans allow for immediate payouts. Many other plans require a participant to have a 1-year-break in service which is usually defined as a year in which you worked less than 500 hours for the plan sponsor. Once you have met the requirements as defined by the plan you may request the money at anytime.

Only your former employer can advise you of the rules specific to their plan and to the amount, if any, you are due from the plan.

Answer 2

I am assuming you understand the tax side of things as you mention above.

You can if you are fully vested. Call your 401k provider ask them what is the cash value or actual of your account. Ask them for a rollover distribution amount and for a cash out amount. These numbers should differ by about 25-35% depending on your company's default tax rate + the 10% penalty.

If your company uses a high bracket and you have some time before you "need" the money. You may want to examine what options you have with a personal IRA. Rule of 72 could be an option if you are over 35 and you only need a small sum each year.

Remember take only what you need if you need all take all. If you leave some you are better off over time.

I recommend systematic with-drawls to folks on a monthly basis this focuses you need on a month by month basis. And if things get better near term you have not exhausted your retirement money.
If you want more info email me.

Answer 3

I don't understand how further regulation would help anything. First off, cashing out the account doesn't mean you lose benefits. If you rollover into an IRA you still benefit from the tax-clause. Secondly, if someone wants to cash out their 401K it's their own business. If you withdraw early you take a serious penalty. You don't need further regulation just to make people do what's already in their own best interest. You can argue that cashing out their accounts will cause disruption in stock markets. Should this be regulated to keep stock prices stable? Absolutely NOT! Everyone investing in stock markets should know that there is risk involved. Part of that risk is the fact that people will cash out 401Ks. Part of the game.

Answer 4

If you take any money out of this acct before the age of 59-1/2 years of age, you will be penalized. I would leave it there and forget about it and let it gain interest. Call Fedelity and ask them about the rule of 72. - Also, when you get another job you are aloud to contribute back into this acct -
Fedelity is consumer friendly and can answer all your questions re: how and when you could begin cash distributions. The govt will allow you to take out a certain amt towards college, illness (cancer TX) w/o getting penalized. Depending on your age, if you left this money into an acct, it would accrue over time, especially if you got a job and begin putting something back in. If you leave it in for the long run, yourl dollar cost average will become inhanced, and help keep up w/ inflation. I would leave it alone. Or, call a mutual house co. to find out how you need to do what you need to do.

Answer 5

Only if you take the money as cash will you be taxed at ordinary income plus 10%. I would suggest that you rollit into an IRA where you pay no immediate tax and no penalties on this money. Go to a brokers office and they can do this for you easily.

Answer 6

One thing you should find out is if you are fully vested which in most cases is the amount of years you worked. In some cases I have seen this period can be anywhere from 4 to 7 years. If you are fully vested you are entitled to 100%. Even if you are not fully vested you should be able to recieve part of it. 401k plans are protected by the federal government so your ex employer cannot just take it away from you.

Answer 7

Yes, but you will have to pay income tax on it plus a 10% penalty unless you have a qualified reason, like huge medical bills, or you are over age 59 1/2.

Better to roll it over into an IRA and make it grow until you can retire rich.

Answer 8

i believe that if you didn't put ANY of your own money into it, you would have to be "vested" when you left. Usually this means you have to have been employed there for a certain amount of time. some companies it is five years, one year or less.

If you were vested, then you should be able to take all the money with the taxes and penalties. (which you seem to already be aware of)

Answer 9

You can, but you'll be taxed on the money you withdraw, plus a 10% penalty. You'd be better off doing a direct transfer into a Roth IRA, or even a traditional IRA. Don't spend it.

Answer 10

yes you can. Might be better to roll it over though.