401(k) Rollover Guide: Rollover Funds From Your 401(k)

If you are working for a private company, chances are they have a pension plan. Pension plans come in many different names but the most common is a 401(k).

401(k)s in the United States are great because they let you invest in your retirement and your employer will match your investment. For example, if you put your payroll on automatic deduction of one thousand dollars every month, your employer will match a certain amount of that one thousand dollars. This is a great benefit and can really help you when it comes time for you to retire.

The downside to 401(k) is that they are stuck with your employer. They do not remain open once you leave your employer. This is why the 401(k) roll-over was created. It is really an individual retirement account with the same tax advantages. What you will be doing is you will roll over that 401(k) onto a new account. That way, it does not get stuck with your prior job. Here are some tips on how to create a 401(k) roll-over account.

Identify your portfolio's worth

You would be surprised as to how many people fail to realize that they are sitting on a gold mine. There are many employees that have been working for a particular private sector company for a long time who do not even bother to check how much money they have on their 401(k).

It is always a good idea to look at your 401(k) and the portfolio of your 401(k). You have to remember, your 401(k) is not just a cash account. It is actually an investment account. Whenever you put money in there, the 401(k) program invests it in a particular investment class, whether in stocks, bonds or precious metals or something else. You have to look at your portfolio's overall worth.

Moreover, you have to be very clear as to how much money you have actually put into your 401(k). Once you add your employers' contribution and deduct it from its current value, you know how much the 401(k) appreciated, regardless of 401(k) report, usually comes with a report on how the investment did. This is a key step in figuring out how to make a gold 401(k) roll-over. Why? You have to know the numbers. You have to know what you are working with before you can take your next move.

Recommendation: What Are The Benefits Of A 401(k)?

Pick a reliable IRA custodian

Since you will be rolling over your 401(k) because you have left your job or want to devote a certain portion of your 401(k) to a different kind of asset class, you have to open an account with somebody you can trust.

There are many different IRA custodian companies out there. Many different financial institutions offer IRA custodian services. Not all of them can be trusted. Not all of them could be relied on. Let us face it, the different institutions and companies have different levels of transparency, accountability, and overall professionalism.

See also: Why Consider a Self-Directed IRA to Rollover Your 401(k)

To avoid being stuck with a lousy IRA custodian, you have to first look at their track record, accreditation and certifications and finally, you have to make sure that they comply with all relevant state and federal regulations. Usually, big-name banks have IRA custodian services which are quite trustworthy.

Choose your new IRA

Once you have set up your new Individual Retirement Account with an IRA custodian, you have to select your new IRA. Do you want to invest in stocks, do you want to invest in real estate, do you want to invest in gold? You have to make all these decisions. You have to remember your IRA is a retirement investment vehicle. It is not just a cash account.

It makes no sense in the world to pull all that money out of your 401(k) and just spark it in cash. Inflation is going to eat up the value of that cash. It is very important that you pick the right IRA investment vehicle.

Move funds from your old 401(k) to your new IRA

Once you have selected the specific investment IRA and its investment strategy, it is time to move funds. In many cases, this is a fairly straightforward situation. You only need to fill up some paperwork. Make sure you read the terms correctly.

Also, you need to make some filings with your employer. It is always good to stop by the human resources office to ask for the right forms and talk to the advisers there regarding your 401(k) issues. You have to be very clear as to what fees will be involved and what can go wrong. You have to fund your new IRA. This is fairly ministerial, still an important step in figuring out how to make a 401(k) roll-over account.

Recommendation: Avoiding Gold IRA Scams

Decide on what to invest in your new IRA

When you pick a new IRA; each IRA has a different risk profile and has a different risk orientation; you can manage funds. However, if you decide to do a self-directed IRA, you have to decide what to invest in. This may seem straightforward forward, but it is not. Seriously.

It is always a good idea to get professional help when it comes to considering moving funds into a gold IRA. Otherwise, it is just too easy to put your hard-earned money into something that will not generate the kind of returns that you are looking for. It is too easy to buy into hype, especially when it comes to investment options. At the very least, do not pay attention to message boards and online forums, and blogs.

Many of these places are infested with people trying to get you to buy into certain types of investments that may not be good. In fact, some investments are not just bad for you, they can even destroy your net worth.

There are all sorts of pump and dump schemes out there, all sorts of poncey schemes, pyramid schemes, you can say goodbye to all that hassles by consulting with a personal finance professional who can steer you in the right direction.

Retirement Resources:

• How to Convert Your 401(k) to a Gold Investment
• Why Consider a Self-Directed IRA to Rollover Your 401(k)
• Protect Your 401(k) From a Market Crash
• What Are The Benefits Of A 401(k)?

Disclaimer: Content on this website is not intended to be used as financial advice. It is not to be used as a recommendation to buy, sell, or trade an asset that requires a licensed broker. Consult a financial advisor.