Rollovers

Overview Compare Rollover Options FAQs
Why open a Rollover IRA?
Avoid taxes and penalties

Direct rollovers protect 100% of your plan assets from taxes and early withdrawal penalties. Much of your account may be lost to the IRS if you don't make a direct rollover or if you withdraw funds before age 59½.

Continue tax-deferred compounding

Investment earnings within Rollover IRAs aren't taxed until withdrawn, just like your company retirement plan. Because money that would otherwise go toward taxes remains in your account, it has the potential to grow faster for the future.

Increase investment choice

A Rollover IRA usually offers more investment choices than company retirement plans. It can be funded with thousands of different stocks, bonds, CDs, mutual funds and many other investments.

Gain more control over assets

With a Rollover IRA, you can buy, sell or exchange investments based solely on your needs rather than an employer's plan policies and restrictions.

Consolidate retirement assets

A Rollover IRA can be your central account for housing all other IRAs and any assets still held at former jobs. Combining them makes it easier to manage paperwork, track returns and view your investments as a whole.

Strategies for a successful rollover
Consult an advisor

Before making any decisions, ask a financial professional to explain your options for transferring a company retirement account.

Avoid the temptation to cash out

Withdrawing plan assets in one lump sum not only incurs taxes and possible penalties, but also eliminates any future tax-deferred growth.

Re-evaluate your financial situation

A rollover is a good time to determine how your investment plans might change as you transition to a new job or retirement.

Beware of indirect rollovers

To avoid potential taxes, penalties and complications, make sure money goes directly from your current plan to your new account. An advisor can help you fill out the necessary forms.

Name your beneficiaries

Adding beneficiaries to your account can extend the tax benefits of IRAs to multiple generations of family members.

Consider rollovers to a Roth IRA

Beginning in 2008, eligible investors can make transfers directly from a company retirement plan to a Roth IRA. Taxes are due at the time of rollover, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free.

Make an informed rollover decision
Understand your options

Compare the pros and cons of other alternatives to a Rollover IRA

Learn about IRAs

Put these tax-advantaged retirement accounts to work for you

Get the FAQs

Review frequently asked questions about Rollover IRAs

 
Ready to get started?

Before you jump in, you may want to get more specific information regarding rollovers and possible tax ramifications. You can visit www.irs.gov, and refer to Publication 590 - Individual Retirement Arrangements. Consult your advisor or click here for helpful tips on building an investment portfolio to meet your retirement needs and other financial goals.

The information above is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for accounting, legal and tax advice or investment recommendations. The views and strategies described may not be suitable to all readers. Please contact your financial professional or tax advisor for additional information.