What’s involved in your 401K rollover when it happens? For the most part, a 401K rollover occurs at the time of retirement or when you change jobs. At that time you may choose to transfer (rollover) your 401K into an IRA. When you partake in this process of transferring your 401K funds from a previous employer into an IRA, then it’s called a ‘401K rollover’.

You can accomplish this by way of a ‘trustee to trustee’ transfer. This moves your 401K from where it is now directly into an IRA. These types of direct rollovers are totally tax-free and you’re not held to any tax liabilities. You also have no limit on the amount of cash you can rollover. It’s very important that you choose wisely when making this move from a former employer with your money, as this usually involves quite a substantial amount for most people. (more…)

Choosing to rollover 401K funds is a big decision. These rollovers are nothing more than ‘transfers’ of your money that is in a 401K retirement plan that exists with your employer. Should you change jobs, then you have some options to consider about just what is going to be the best move for you to make with your investment. Do you roll it over into an IRA? Do you take it out in cash? Just what is going to be the wisest choice for you? The important thing is that you follow the 401k withdrawal rules.

You may choose to make a trustee to trustee transfer that will move your 401K from the place it resides now straight into an IRA account. When you choose this option, you get the benefit of not being held liable for any taxes. You also don’t have any type of limits on the amounts of cash that you can move. This can be a very important decision, because for the most part this type of move involves a very substantial amount of cash. (more…)

Are there any disadvantages of 401 k plans?

There could be. It depends on the investment opportunities offered by the account provider and at what age you plan to retire. If the plan is a standard one, rather than a Roth-401k, there could be a disadvantage, too.

Let’s take a look at your options.

Roth-401ks have only been available since 2006. Roth IRAs have been around since 1997. Traditional IRAs were written into the tax code in 1986. Standard 401k plans were actually an off-shoot of a tax law that had nothing to do with retirement plans. (more…)

The disadvantages of 401k plan usage are few. But, if you have the option to choose, there are several things to consider and be aware of. Here are a few things that you should know about IRAs, 401Ks and Roth plans. The information should help you choose which plan is right for you.

Do you want to pay taxes now or after you retire?

Contributions to all traditional “non-Roth” plans are tax deductible or reduce your taxable income for the year that the contribution is made. Distributions, on the other hand, are taxed as regular income. In other words, after you retire, when you begin to take money out of the account, it will be taxed as regular income.

Many people are in lower income tax brackets after retirement. People aged 65 and over get to take additional income tax deductions. So, if your earnings are high and you expect to be in a lower income tax bracket after retirement, the traditional plans may be for you. (more…)

Here’s a look at the 5 biggest 401k rollover mistakes. Some of them are very common and can be costly, either in terms of losing your account’s tax sheltered status or in losing out on profits.

Remember, these things have happened to other people.

So, they could happen to you.

#1. You fail to redeposit the funds within 60 days.

The check could get lost in the mail. You could have some kind of family emergency. You might be in the process of moving and somehow lose the check. All of those things have happened to account holders at one time or another. Something interferes with them finding a new account provider and the next thing they know, they are in trouble with the IRS.

Failing to open a new account and redeposit the funds within 60 days is one of the 5 biggest 401k rollover mistakes, because, when if it happens, the entire value of the account will be taxed as regular income for that year.

The IRS will make exceptions, in some cases. For instance, victims of hurricane Katrina were given a full year to redeposit the funds. But, unless there is a blanket exemption like that one, the process is long and drawn out. The best thing to do is to pick a new account holder, before you initiate a roll-over and take precautions to insure that the check is deposited within the 60 day period. (more…)

The current year’s 401k contribution limits determine how much money you are entitled to contribute to your 401k plans for the entire year. This means the collective total of contributions to all 401k plans in your name cannot exceed this maximum amount. It even includes Roth 401k plans in the same total.

There are two numbers you need to collect before determining your personal maximum contribution limit. First, find out how much of your salary your employer’s plan will allow you to contribute. For example, if your employer has set up a plan that allows you to contribute up to 10% of your salary and you make $45,000 for 2009, then your employer’s limit will be a yearly contribution up to $4,500. (more…)

In the wake of the financial crisis and the resulting recession, many companies have been reducing or suspending contributions to their 401k Plan. Many people don’t realize that many 401k plans, are forced to make a matching contribution. Even if the company says it has stopped matching, it may be forced to make a match.

The question that most people have is, “Should I Continue To Make Contributions If My Company Is Not Matching My 401k?” The answer is, definitely yes if your 401k is considered top heavy. (more…)

While 401k investment plans are a nice way to save money for retirement, there are certain 401k rules on how much you can contribute to all of your plans collectively in a given year. The maximum 401k contribution limits change from one year to the next and apply as one figure for all of your plans, so your total must fall below the limit each year.

The maximum amount allowed to be contributed is different every person, depending on two different numbers. First, you have to determine what percentage of your income your employer’s plan will allow you to invest. This will be in percentage form. For example, someone who makes $45000 a year and has a plan that states they can contribute up to 10% of their income would be allowed to contribute up to $4, 500 in 2009. (more…)

If you want to live a happy life, your personal finance is something you must pay attention to. The reason is because financial problems tend to cause problems in other areas of life. If you get your personal finance in order, you will greatly reduce the possibility of having problems in other areas of your life.

One part of personal finance I’d like to discuss here is retirement planning. You need to prepare for your retirement. Since you no longer have your main source of income at that time, it’s essential that you are financially prepared for it. (more…)

If you are living and working in the United States, you are definitely fortunate because you are capable of saving for your retirement and at the same time defer present income taxes on your saved funds and earnings until such time that you can carry out distributions or withdrawals. You can choose to place a portion of your wage or income to be directly paid or deferred into a 401k account, which is recognized as a contribution.

In actual fact, this retirement investing option is an employer-sponsored account. Your employer or company has the full discretion to grant you benefits as their employee by optionally selecting to match up part or all of your contribution by means of making additional contributions in your account or grant you with profit sharing benefits in your retirement account. (more…)