401(k) Decisions — You Can Take It with You

If you are preparing to change jobs, do you know what your choices are for managing the money in your current employer's retirement plan? Although many people choose to take a cash distribution, there are other options that may benefit you more.

Uncle Sam Loves Cash Distributions
Taking a lump-sum cash distribution may trigger an immediate 20% federal withholding tax. In addition, a 10% tax penalty may apply if you are younger than age 55.* Taking your money in cash also means that you'll no longer enjoy the potential benefits of tax deferral that a qualified retirement plan offers.

Depending on your circumstances, you may have several options that will allow you to maintain the tax-deferred status of your retirement plan assets:

• Leave the money in your former employer's plan. Your former employer must allow you to leave the money where it is as long as the balance exceeds $5,000. You'll no longer be able to contribute to the account, but you'll still decide how the existing assets are invested.
• Roll over the money to your new employer's plan. By "rolling" the money directly to your new plan, you'll avoid the taxes that could eat away at a cash distribution. You'll also only have one set of investments to monitor. Even if you're not immediately eligible to contribute to the plan at your new job, you may still be able to roll over the money right away.
• Roll over the money to an IRA. If your new employer doesn't offer a retirement plan or you aren't yet eligible to participate, you can roll over the money directly to a traditional IRA. Again, you'll avoid taxes that you'd incur if you took a cash distribution and still enjoy the potential benefits of tax deferral. Experts advise against commingling your retirement plan assets with other IRAs you may have set up. Instead, open a separate IRA account, known as a "conduit IRA," which may allow you to move the funds to a new employer's retirement plan at a later date.

Research Your Options
If you plan to change jobs, don't just take the money and run. Since rules vary from company to company, find the time to explore your alternatives. If you have specific questions about your retirement plan distribution options, contact your employer's benefits coordinator or a qualified financial consultant.

*If you're age 55 or older and separate from service, the 10% penalty generally will not apply for lump-sum distributions taken from an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Keep in mind that the 10% penalty may be incurred on distributions taken from an IRA prior to age 59½.

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