Fee-only financial advisors for 401(k) rollover decisions.
The 401(k) rollover decision at job change or retirement is a one-time, high-stakes choice. Rollover to an IRA opens the investment universe, enables Roth conversions, and unlocks the Backdoor Roth pathway. Leaving money in the old 401(k) may preserve loan access, ERISA protection, or age-55 rule withdrawal. Rolling to a new employer's plan may sim
What our matched specialists handle
- I just changed jobs with $850K in my old 401(k) — rollover or leave?
- Retiring at 62 with $1.6M in 401(k) — best rollover strategy to set up retirement distributions?
- My new 401(k) has terrible funds — rollover the old one to IRA, or consolidate?
- Age-55 rule — does rolling out give it up?
- Backdoor Roth complications if I roll pre-tax into IRA
- Employer stock in my 401(k) — NUA strategy?
Tools & guides
401(k) Rollover Decision Calculator
Model the tax & fee differences between leaving your old 401(k), rolling to IRA, rolling to new 401(k), or taking partial Roth conversion.
What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Leave a Job
Just left a job? Your balance stays in the plan — but you have four options, each with different tax consequences. Plus: the vesting trap, the auto-cashout rule for small balances under $7,000, and three time-sensitive deadlines most people miss.
401(k) After a Layoff: Roth Conversion Window, Rule of 55 & Loan Deadline
A layoff year is often the lowest-income year of your career — and the best window to execute Roth conversions at a rate you may never see again. This guide covers how to find your conversion room, whether Rule of 55 applies to your layoff, how to handle an outstanding loan before the October 15 QPLO deadline, and how COBRA vs. ACA marketplace affects your conversion strategy.
401(k) Vesting Schedule: What You Lose When You Leave
Your own contributions are always 100% yours — but employer matching and profit-sharing are subject to cliff or graded vesting schedules. Leave before you're fully vested and you forfeit the unvested balance permanently. Calculator shows exactly what you'd lose by leaving today.
NUA Calculator: Employer Stock Strategy
Hold highly appreciated employer stock? Model whether the Net Unrealized Appreciation strategy beats rolling to an IRA — in today's dollars.
Rule of 55: Penalty-Free Withdrawals Before 59½
Leaving your job at 55 or older? The age-55 exception lets you tap your 401(k) without penalty — but rolling to an IRA first forfeits it permanently.
Complete 401(k) Rollover Guide
Detailed framework — rules, tradeoffs, employer- and account-specific nuances, common mistakes.
Backdoor Roth and the Pro-Rata Trap
Rolling pre-tax 401(k) money to an IRA can permanently break your Backdoor Roth. Learn the three ways to protect it — including the reverse rollover.
Direct Rollover vs. Indirect Rollover: The 20% Withholding Trap
Indirect rollovers trigger mandatory 20% federal withholding and a 60-day clock. Learn why a direct rollover is almost always the right choice — and what to do if you already received a check.
In-Service Rollover: Roll Your 401(k) to an IRA While Still Working
If your plan allows it and you're 59½+, you can roll to an IRA without leaving your job — opening Roth conversions, better funds, and lower fees up to 13 years before RMDs hit.
401(k) Loan When You Leave a Job: The Offset Rollover Strategy
Leaving a job with an outstanding 401(k) loan? The plan offsets the balance against your account — but you may have until October 15 of next year to roll it over and avoid the taxes and 10% penalty.
Convert Your 401(k) to a Roth IRA: Tax Cost Calculator
Every dollar of a traditional 401(k) converted to a Roth IRA is ordinary income. Use our 2026 bracket calculator to find your exact conversion cost — and identify the income-gap windows where converting at 15–22% beats your normal 32–35% rate.
After-Tax 401(k) Rollover: The Mega Backdoor Roth
Beyond the $24,500 deferral limit, the IRS allows up to $72,000 in total 401(k) contributions. If your plan permits after-tax contributions, you can roll that extra money directly to a Roth IRA tax-free under IRS Notice 2014-54 — sheltering an additional $30,000–$47,000 per year.
Inherited 401(k) Rollover Rules: Spouse vs. Non-Spouse Beneficiary
Surviving spouses can roll an inherited 401(k) into their own IRA and defer RMDs for decades. Non-spouse beneficiaries cannot — they must transfer to an inherited IRA and follow the 10-year rule. Understand the annual RMD requirement that applies when the decedent was already taking distributions.
Should I Roll Over My 401(k)? A Decision Framework
Six questions that identify the hidden factors in your rollover decision: Rule of 55, employer stock NUA, Backdoor Roth pro-rata trap, outstanding loan, fee comparison, and in-service eligibility. Includes a comparison table of all four options and three real-dollar scenarios.
Roll Old 401(k) Into New Employer's Plan: Rules, Trade-offs & When It Beats the IRA
Changing jobs? Rolling your old 401(k) into the new employer's plan preserves the Rule of 55 for early retirement, eliminates the Backdoor Roth pro-rata trap, and keeps ERISA's unlimited creditor protection — but only if the new plan's funds are worth living with. Fee comparison math, comparison table, and three real scenarios.
Roth 401(k) Rollover to Roth IRA: Split Rollover and the Five-Year Clock
Rolling a Roth 401(k) to a Roth IRA has two hidden traps: employer contributions are pre-tax and need a split rollover, and the five-year qualified distribution clock may reset. Post-SECURE 2.0 RMD changes also affect your timeline.
SEPP 72(t) Calculator: Penalty-Free Distributions Before 59½
If you need income from retirement accounts before 59½ and don't qualify for the Rule of 55, Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP) may be your only option. Calculate your payment under the Fixed Amortization and RMD methods — and understand the modification trap.
7 Costly 401(k) Rollover Mistakes to Avoid
The indirect rollover withholding trap, the Backdoor Roth pro-rata disaster, forfeiting the Rule of 55, ignoring NUA on employer stock, missing a loan offset deadline, cashing out, and the Roth split error — with real-dollar examples of what each mistake actually costs.
How to Roll Over Your 401(k) to a Traditional IRA: Step-by-Step
The most common rollover path — and it's completely tax-free when done right. Pre-rollover checklist, exact paperwork, processing timelines, what to do if you received a check by mistake, and five situations where the standard path is the wrong one.
Consolidating Multiple Old 401(k) Accounts: When to Roll, When to Keep
Changed jobs multiple times? Each old employer 401(k) has different fees, features, and rules. Learn when to consolidate vs. keep separate, how to find forgotten accounts, and the right order of operations — including why a 1% fee gap costs $224,000 over 25 years on a $200K balance.
403(b) Rollover to IRA: TIAA Surrender Charges, ERISA Status, and the 15-Year Catch-Up
Teachers, nurses, and hospital workers face three 403(b)-specific traps on rollover: TIAA's 2.5% surrender charge on lump-sum transfers, loss of unlimited ERISA creditor protection for government and church workers, and forfeiture of the 15-year special catch-up contribution. Includes step-by-step execution and three real scenarios.
457(b) Rollover to IRA: Government vs. Non-Profit Rules
Government employees can roll a 457(b) to an IRA — but doing so before age 59½ eliminates the plan's biggest advantage: penalty-free withdrawals at any age. Non-profit executive plans can't roll to an IRA at all. Understand the governmental vs. non-governmental split before you initiate.
Is a 401(k) Rollover Taxable? 2026 Tax Rules Explained
Most 401(k) rollovers are completely tax-free — but three situations trigger a tax bill. Traditional-to-traditional is always tax-free. Converting to Roth is taxable by design. And an indirect rollover that goes wrong creates an accidental tax event. Plus: state taxes, Form 1099-R codes, and the IRMAA cliff.
How to Report a 401(k) Rollover on Your Tax Return (Form 1040)
You completed a rollover — now your 1099-R shows a large distribution and your tax software looks alarmed. It shouldn't be. Covers distribution codes G and H, Lines 5a/5b vs. 4a/4b, indirect rollover reporting, Roth conversion entries, what to do with Form 5498 (nothing), and the five mistakes that cause people to accidentally overpay tax on a tax-free rollover.
SIMPLE IRA Rollover: The 2-Year Rule and the 25% Penalty Trap
Small-business employees with SIMPLE IRAs face a rule that 401(k) holders don't: you cannot roll to a traditional IRA or 401(k) during the first two years of participation. Do it early and the penalty is 25% — not 10%. Complete guide to timing, rollover destinations, and three real scenarios.
TSP Rollover to IRA: Should Federal Employees Leave the G Fund Behind?
The Thrift Savings Plan's G Fund earns 4.5% (May 2026) with zero duration risk — a combination no IRA can replicate. Rolling to an IRA also permanently forfeits the Rule of 55 for anyone under 59½. This guide explains what you're trading and when a TSP rollover actually makes sense.
QDRO 401(k) Rollover: Divorce, Split Options & the Penalty-Free Exception
Divorcing spouses who receive a 401(k) via QDRO can take cash at any age with no 10% penalty — but that exception disappears the moment the money moves to an IRA. Understand the four options, the Roth 5-year clock reset, and how to sequence a partial cash withdrawal plus rollover.
Solo 401(k) Rollover: Termination Rules, Mega Backdoor Window & Where to Roll
Shutting down your solo 401(k)? Whether you're taking a W-2 job, retiring, or hiring your first employee, there's a specific sequence to follow — including a limited-time mega backdoor Roth opportunity before you close the plan and a final Form 5500-EZ if your balance ever exceeded $250,000.
401(k) Rollover to Annuity: QLAC, SPIA & Guaranteed Income (2026)
Roll your 401(k) directly into an annuity tax-free — no 20% withholding, no 60-day clock. A QLAC defers RMDs on up to $210,000 until age 85. A SPIA converts a lump sum into guaranteed income immediately. Includes the IRMAA deferral math, irrevocability trade-offs, and three real scenarios where partial annuitization does — and doesn't — make sense.
Where to Roll Over Your 401(k): Fidelity vs. Vanguard vs. Schwab (2026)
Once you've decided to roll to an IRA, the next question is where. Expense ratios on Fidelity ZERO funds (0.00%), Vanguard VTI (0.03%), and Schwab SWTSX (0.03%) all converge at near-zero — the real differences are platform features, banking integration, and advisor access. Plus: the creditor protection advantage of rollover assets that most people don't know about.
Reverse Rollover: Move Your IRA Back Into a 401(k)
Most rollovers go from 401(k) to IRA — but sometimes the right move is the other direction. A reverse rollover clears pre-tax IRA balances to restore a clean Backdoor Roth, unlocks a 401(k) loan you can't get from an IRA, defers RMDs past 73 under the still-working exception, upgrades to ERISA creditor protection, or recaptures the Rule of 55 window before you leave your employer.
401(k) Rollover at Retirement: Timing, Roth Conversions & IRMAA Planning
Retiring with a 401(k) is a different decision than changing jobs. The years between your last paycheck and when Social Security and RMDs begin are often your lowest-income decade — a window to convert pre-tax assets to Roth at 12–22% instead of 22–32% later. Learn how to sequence the rollover, manage the $109K IRMAA Medicare cliff, and reduce your RMD burden through pre-75 conversions. Three real scenarios: age 58, 62, and 65.
Roth Conversion Ladder: Penalty-Free 401(k) Access Before 59½
Roll your 401(k) to a traditional IRA, convert a portion to Roth each year, and after 5 years withdraw those converted amounts penalty-free — no fixed payment schedule, no modification trap. The Roth conversion ladder gives early retirees flexible access to their savings from age 45 to 59½. Includes bridge strategy, bracket-filling math, IRMAA management, and three real scenarios.
Pension Lump-Sum Rollover to IRA: Tradeoffs, Tax Rules & Decision Framework
Offered a lump sum instead of your defined benefit pension? The PBGC guarantees only $7,789.77/month in 2026 — benefits above that cap are uninsured if your company fails. A direct rollover to an IRA eliminates counterparty risk and opens Roth conversion flexibility. Includes break-even analysis, survivor benefit tradeoffs, and three real scenarios at ages 58, 62, and 65.
Cashing Out Your 401(k) vs. Rolling Over: What It Actually Costs
Cashing out a 401(k) before 59½ triggers 20% mandatory withholding, ordinary income tax on the full amount, and a 10% early withdrawal penalty — most people lose 30–40% of their balance on day one. Use our 2026 calculator to see your exact cost, understand the narrow exceptions (Rule of 55, QDRO, SEPP), and learn what happens when your balance is under $7,000.
How Long Does a 401(k) Rollover Take? Timeline by Plan Type
Most direct rollovers complete in 1–3 weeks — but the range is wide. Fidelity-to-Fidelity wires can finish in 5 business days; small employer plans and TIAA annuity contracts can run 4–6 weeks. Includes a timeline estimator by plan type and transfer method, the 7 delays that slow rollovers down, and what to do if your rollover gets stuck.
Empower 401(k) Rollover: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Empower is the largest 401(k) plan record-keeper in the U.S., administering plans for millions of participants across Empower, Great-West, MassMutual, and Prudential legacy platforms. This guide covers which platform you're on, how to initiate a direct rollover, typical processing times, and the 5 Empower-specific traps — including the employer match finalization delay, the loan offset QPLO window, and spousal consent requirements.
Fidelity 401(k) Rollover: NetBenefits Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Have a Fidelity 401(k) on NetBenefits? Rolling to a Fidelity IRA can complete in 3–7 business days via internal transfer — no mailed check, no external wire. But BrokerageLink positions, pending employer contributions, and the NetBenefits-vs-Fidelity.com platform split cause most Fidelity rollover delays. This guide covers the fast path, the 5 Fidelity-specific traps, and three real scenarios including IRMAA cliff management at retirement.
Schwab 401(k) Rollover: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Have a Charles Schwab 401(k)? Rolling to a Schwab IRA can complete in 5–10 business days via internal transfer. But the PCRA self-directed brokerage window, pending employer contributions, and the workplace-plan-vs-retail platform split cause most Schwab rollover delays. Also covers the TD Ameritrade migration (completed September 2023), the 5 Schwab-specific traps, and three real scenarios including NUA analysis for PCRA employer stock.
401(k) RMD Rules: Still-Working Exception, SECURE 2.0 Ages & Rollover Impact
401(k) RMDs start at age 73 — but if you're still employed and own 5% or less of the company, you can legally defer RMDs indefinitely under the still-working exception. Rolling old 401(k)s into your current employer's plan extends this deferral to the consolidated balance. Includes an RMD calculator using the 2022 IRS Uniform Lifetime Table and three real scenarios showing how rollover decisions change your mandatory distribution timeline.
Rolling a 401(k) to a Gold IRA: Rules, Costs, and What to Know First
A 401(k) can roll tax-free into a self-directed IRA holding physical gold, silver, platinum, or palladium — but the IRS imposes strict purity standards (gold ≥99.5%), mandatory storage at an approved depository (home storage is a prohibited transaction), and a fee structure of $200–$400/yr before any dealer spreads. A fee-only advisor's honest breakdown: when a small gold allocation makes sense, when it doesn't, and the red flags that most gold IRA marketing won't tell you.
401(k) to SEP IRA Rollover: Rules, Limits & When It Beats the Solo 401(k)
Going self-employed? A SEP IRA accepts 401(k) rollovers tax-free — but it counts in the pro-rata rule and can destroy your Backdoor Roth. 2026 limit is $72,000 (25% of compensation). Covers SEP vs. solo 401(k) comparison, the pro-rata trap, the reverse rollover fix, and three real scenarios for freelancers, consultants, and S-corp owners.
Self-Directed IRA Rollover: Real Estate, Private Equity & Alternative Investments
A self-directed IRA can hold rental properties, private loans, startup equity, and tax liens — all tax-deferred. But IRC § 4975 prohibited transaction rules are strict: if you fix the rental property yourself, rent it to a family member, or lend IRA money to a spouse's business, the entire IRA is disqualified and becomes taxable income. Covers UBIT on leveraged real estate, checkbook control LLC structures, custodian comparison, and three real scenarios.
Rollover IRA Rules: Contributions, Deductibility & the Once-Per-Year Limit (2026)
A rollover IRA is legally identical to a traditional IRA — you can still contribute up to $7,500/year ($8,500 if 50+). But deductibility depends on your income and whether you have an active workplace plan. Includes a 2026 deductibility calculator and an explanation of the once-per-year indirect rollover rule (the Bobrow trap) that has triggered unexpected six-figure tax bills for people who assumed they could move IRA money freely between custodians.
In-Plan Roth Conversion: Convert Pre-Tax 401(k) to Roth Without Leaving Your Plan
Still employed? If your plan allows it, you can move pre-tax 401(k) balance to a Roth account inside the same plan — no rollover to IRA required, no 60-day window, no 20% withholding. The converted amount is ordinary income in the year you convert, but ERISA creditor protection, 401(k) loan access, and the Rule of 55 window stay intact. Starting in 2026, SECURE 2.0 § 603 forces all catch-up contributions to Roth for employees earning over $150,000 — making in-plan conversion strategy newly relevant for high earners. Includes a 2026 conversion tax calculator.
401(k) Early Withdrawal Penalty Exceptions: All 14 Ways to Skip the 10% Tax (2026)
Most 401(k) withdrawals before 59½ trigger a 10% penalty — but IRC § 72(t) lists 14 exceptions, including four added by SECURE 2.0 that most people don't know about. Critically, three exceptions (Rule of 55, QDRO, age-50 public safety) exist only in employer plans and disappear the moment you roll to an IRA. Complete exception table, rollover trade-off analysis, and three real-dollar scenarios.
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