401(k) Rollovers

Managing your money shouldn't be as hard as earning it

A 401(k) rollover from a previous employer's plan into an IRA could be right for you if you're changing jobs, retiring soon or already enjoying retirement.

Rolling over assets from your old employer's plan into a TD AMERITRADE Easy IRA can help you better manage your savings and can provide access to a broad range of investments, while maintaining the tax-deferred status of your retirement assets.

Get started today


  1. Open an IRA account.
  2. Select "Rollover" as the method to fund your account.
  3. Contact the plan administrator of your old retirement plan to complete and submit their paperwork.

Need help starting a rollover?

A Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM:

  • Help with the rollover process from start to finish.
  • Contact your 401(k) administrator for you.
  • Call 800-213-4583 to schedule a phone consultation.
Distribution methods for your old 401(k)

When you leave a job, your retirement assets may languish in your old plan for years. There are several ways, however, to distribute the assets of your old 401(k) plan. Below is a comparison of your choices with the advantages and disadvantages of each. Explore your options with our 401(k) Rollover Calculator.


 
 
 
Choices Advantages Disadvantages
Open a TD AMERITRADE Easy IRA
  • Assets remain in investments tax-deferred.
  • Wide choice of investments
  • Ability to consolidate multiple retirement accounts from previous employers
  • Flexibility to convert to a Roth IRA (if eligible)
  • Option of moving assets to a future employer plan
  • Penalty-free withdrawals prior to age 59½ are not permitted unless an exception applies (purchase of first home, disability, medical expenses)
  • Loans are not permitted
Leave assets in your former employer's plan
  • Assets remain in investments tax deferred
  • Limited access and control
  • Generally, limited investment choices
  • Eligibility may lapse
  • Money is left with former employer
Roll over your assets to your new employer plan
  • Assets remain in investments tax deferred.
  • Loans may be permitted
  • Limited access and control
  • Generally, limited investment choices
  • May not be eligible to join the plan until a year of service has been completed
  • Not all employees provide this option
Take a cash distribution
  • The distribution amount is immediately available to you
  • The withdrawal depletes your retirement savings.
  • Mandatory 20% withholding for federal taxes if under age 59½
  • State and local taxes may apply
  • Distribution may be subject to 10% IRA penalty if under age 59½
  • Lose the opportunity to grow assets tax deferred
 
 
 

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See Also...

TD AMERITRADE does not provide tax advice. We suggest that you seek the advice of a tax-planning professional with regard to your personal circumstances.

Offer valid for individuals who open a new TD AMERITRADE retirement account or a new Amerivest-related IRA account by 04/15/10 and meet funding requirements within 6 months of account opening. Funding/rollover of $25,000 - $99,999 receives $100 cash, funding/rollover of $100,000 - $249,999 receives $250 cash, funding/rollover of $250,000 or more receives $500 cash. Limit one offer per client per calendar year. Not transferable and not valid with TD AMERITRADE Institutional accounts, internal transfers or with other offers. Cash awards are valid within your IRA only and non-transferable to another existing TD AMERITRADE account. Void where prohibited. Account must remain open with minimum funding for 9 months, or TD AMERITRADE may charge the account for the cash awarded to the account. TD AMERITRADE reserves the right to restrict or revoke this offer. This is not an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where we are not authorized to do business.

Please consult a legal or tax advisor for the most recent changes to the U.S. tax code and for rollover eligibility rules. Please allow 3-5 business days for any cash deposits to post to account.

The Roth Conversion Calculator module is provided by Convergent Retirement Plan Solutions, LLC and provides only a rough estimate result and is for illustrative purposes only. Please consult a Qualified tax advisor regarding your personal situation. TD AMERITRADE and Convergent are separate, unaffiliated companies and are not responsible for each other’s services or policies.