What should I rollover my 401k into?

Question

I’d like your suggestions on how I should handle my 401k rollover. Some background info: I’m 23 years old and I left a company (I had worked there for a year) at the end of October. My 401k had a balance of about $4500, and half of that was the vested balance (does that mean I only have half to rollover?) I’m working at a new company and they allow us to rollover our 401k from a previous employer. Should I rollover my 401k into the new company’s 401k? Or should I rollover into an IRA? What are the pros and cons of each? If I rollover into an IRA, is there a certain type of IRA I have to enroll in? Typically, what types of fees are associated with having an IRA? My previous employer matched 100% to my 401k contributions, but my new company only matches 30%. This is a side question, but should I just not do a 401k with my current employer and, instead, enroll in a Roth IRA? Sorry if this sounds confusing. I’m just not sure what the best options are… any help would be great. Thanks!

Answer 1

Alright, you should definitely roll over your money into either the company 401k or an IRA. If your new company 401k has decent investment choices, I would do that to keep your money all together for simplicity. If not, than a regular IRA (not a ROTH). If you have only been working for a year, chances are you are not vested in your company's match (generally you need to work there a certain period of time, usually around 3 years or so to be able to keep it, which is what vested means)

A ROTH IRA is after tax contributions, so you will have to owe taxes on all of the money you roll over into this, which is why I would recommend not going with this option.

An IRA and 401k are basically the same thing, but a 401k is offered through your company, and often has a company match. Generally, an IRA has no fees, with the exception of the fund fees you pay, which is the same as in a 401k.

Lastly, what I would recommend is to contribute as much as you can to get the maximum amount of company match. Then I would take any extra you can contribute, and start a ROTH IRA fund. This is after tax dollars, but it grows tax free, and you never pay taxes on it, even on your return.

Hopefully this helps!

Answer 2

"Vested" balance means that's the amount you may apply to withdraw in cash under certain special circumstances, even though your actualy balance may be technically higher.

The best and easiest thing to do would be to roll your your old 401(k) into the current one your new company has. Otherwise you'd be faced with the daunting task of trying to keep track of two separate accounts, and it would be all too easy to forget about one of them over time. Trust me, it's better to see your entire retirement balance on one sheet...and it's automatic savings that you won't really miss.

A Roth IRA you probably don't want to do, because the amount you can contribute to it each year is limited...plus, you would have to remember to actually contribute, which typically can't be done online, so you would have to make regular bank trips to do so, which can be a bit inconvenient...and what will happen is there will inevitably come some "emergency" where you need all of your check for something and won't put anything into the IRA, and then you "forget" to go to the bank next time, and eventually will forget the account entirely.

The one exception I would make to this rule is if you ever do any work where you receive checks that are not taxed (typically freelance or contract work where you get 1099s at tax time instead of W-2s). to open something called a "SEP IRA" or Self-employed IRA, basically a self-maintained retirement account that you can put money into to ease some of the exorbitant taxes you a SEP and only put funds into it once a year for that exact reason.

Answer 3

The answer totally depends on your new company's 401k choices. But, in general, you're better off with your money INSIDE your 401k then outside in an IRA.

Pros to IRA
easy access to distribution of money
Diversity of investment choices

Pros to 401k
lower expense ratios for mutual funds in most plans
protection from all creditors (except ex-spouses and back child support)
lack of access to retirement money

the reason that expense ratios are often lower is that with a 401k the accounts of all participants are consolidated to determine fees. More money = better purchasing power.

for creditor protection...a 401k is federally protected while an IRA is still currently a state ruling and some states offer little protection.

easy access to $$ means you have to be diligent during tight times to not take the money...easier to be diligent if the rules are made for you. Additionally...inside a 401k you can borrow against it if you must. Outside you are limited to a withdrawal. The former hurts a little...the latter devestates your account.

stay away from converting to a roth with this money. better to leave it pre-tax and begin a new roth IRA then paying the taxes and converting. You'll want money in both types of accounts for maximum flexibility.

Answer 4

I would roll it into a regular IRA at a mutual fund company like T. Rowe Price. Check the T. Rowe Price family of mutual funds on the Internet. They don't charge any fees. Since its a relatively small amount, I'd put it all into one fund. Maybe "growth stock" or "international stock".

I don't like rolling over into a new employers 401k, because some companies have very poor plans with limited choices. I wouldn't go to a Roth IRA, because those are designed for after tax money, and you're dealing with before tax money.

Answer 5

If you plan on staying that this new company, I would roll over into new companies 401K. If you roll over into independent IRA, you have a lot of paperwork to contend with while it would be much easier just to do at work. It would give you a good kick start at the new company to already have a balance. Don't make the mistake that a lot of employees in their 20's do and that's liquidate with penalties and use the money for debt already occurred. There's not going to be much available to you when you retire so it's a good idea to put away as much as you can