Retirement savings | march 21, 2025
Advantages and considerations of the four options for your old workplace retirement plan
Preserving the tax benefit improves your ability to build wealth.
Key Insights
Keeping the money in your old employer’s plan or moving it to a new employer’s plan gives you access to that plan’s features.
Choosing to roll old workplace retirement plan assets into an individual retirement account can provide access to a wider array of investments and increased flexibility.
Cashing out a workplace plan can have immediate tax consequences and penalties.
Judith Ward, CFP®
Thought Leadership Director
You have four options for what to do with an old workplace retirement plan account. This could include an old 401(k), 403(b), or a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). To determine what’s right for you, consider whether you’re changing jobs or retiring from your career, as well as your financial circumstances and long-term goals. Keep in mind that preserving the tax benefits of your investments when you leave your job may substantially improve your ability to build wealth over the long term. Consider the following options:
1. Leave your assets where they are
If the plan allows, you can leave the assets in your former employer’s retirement plan, where they can continue to benefit from any tax-advantaged growth. Find out if you must maintain a minimum balance, and understand the plan’s fees, investment options, and other provisions, especially if you may need to access these funds at a later time.
2. Roll your assets into a new employer’s plan
If you’re changing jobs, you can roll your old workplace plan account assets into your new employer’s plan (if permitted). This option maintains the account’s tax-advantaged status. Find out if your new plan accepts rollovers and if there is a waiting period to move the money. If you have Roth assets in your old workplace plan, make sure your new plan can accommodate them. Also, review the differences in investment options and fees between your old and new employers’ retirement plans.
3. Roll over your assets to an IRA
For more retirement investment options and to maintain the tax-advantaged status of the account, roll your old workplace plan into an individual retirement account (IRA). You will have greater flexibility over access to your savings (although income taxes may apply, along with early withdrawal penalties, if you don’t directly transfer the funds and are under age 59½).1 Before-tax assets can roll over to a Traditional IRA, while Roth assets can roll directly to a Roth IRA. Review the differences in investment options and fees between an IRA and your old and new employers’ retirement plans.
4. Cash out your assets
Cashing out your old workplace plan may have significant financial consequences. Not only are those funds considered taxable income and subject to an immediate tax withholding, but you may also be subject to a 10% early withdrawal tax penalty if you cash out before age 59½.1 Additionally, withdrawals will lose the potential for tax-deferred growth.
If possible, choose an option that allows you to continue to benefit from your savings’ tax-advantaged status and preserve and increase the growth potential of your wealth. Other important factors to consider include fees and expenses, available services, protection from creditors, and special tax considerations for employer stock. Please consider consulting with a tax professional.
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Advantages and considerations of the four options
Here’s a snapshot of the information you need to help make the right choice for your situation.
Advantages
Offers familiar investment options.
Maintains your plan account’s tax-advantaged status.
Generally allows for penalty-free withdrawals if you leave your job in the year that you turn age 55 or older (although distributions are still subject to income taxes).
May provide access to investment choices and plan services that aren’t available elsewhere.
Considerations
May have a minimum balance requirement of $5,000 to remain in the plan.2
Subject to plan withdrawal provisions.
May have limited investment options.
Advantages
Maintains your plan account’s tax-advantaged status.
May permit loans.2
Generally allows for penalty-free withdrawals if you leave your job in the year that you turn age 55 or older (although distributions are still subject to income taxes).
May provide access to investments that may not be available elsewhere.
If you are still working at age 73,3 you may not have to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your current employer’s plan.
Considerations
Limits investment options to those in the new plan.
Subject to plan withdrawal provisions.
May involve a waiting period prior to moving assets from a former employer’s plan.2
Generally, rollover contributions to a new plan (if permitted) can be withdrawn at any time and do not have to meet a permissible distribution event. Taxes and penalties may apply.
Advantages
Maintains your plan account’s tax-advantaged status.
Often offers access to a wider range of investment options (versus keeping the assets in an employer-sponsored plan).
Permits penalty-free withdrawals after age 59½ and under limited circumstances if under age 59½.
Allows you to consolidate multiple accounts into a single IRA.
Considerations
Does not offer loan provisions.
Generally, you may not make penalty-free withdrawals until age 59½.
There may be negative tax consequences of rolling over significantly appreciated employer stock to an IRA.
Advantages
Provides immediate access to your retirement plan assets.
Considerations
Removes the potential for continued tax-deferred growth of your assets.
There is a mandatory 20% withholding on the distribution, and state withholding, depending on the state, may apply. You may be liable for a greater amount when you file your taxes if your income tax rate is higher than 20%.
May be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you are under age 59½. (Some exceptions apply; please contact a tax professional.)
1Certain exceptions apply.
2Depends on employer plan provisions.
3The RMD age will change to 75 in 2033.
Important Information
This material has been prepared for general and educational purposes only. This material does not provide recommendations concerning investments, investment strategies, or account types. It is not individualized to the needs of any specific investor and is not intended to suggest that any particular investment action is appropriate for you, nor is it intended to serve as the primary basis for investment decision-making. Any tax-related discussion contained in this material, including any attachments/links, is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding any tax penalties or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to any other party any transaction or matter addressed herein. Please consult your independent legal counsel and/or tax professional regarding any legal or tax issues raised in this material.
All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal.
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202503-4316732
Next Steps
Learn more about your options for your old 401(k).
Contact a Financial Consultant at 1-800-401-1819.