TD Ameritrade

Market activity has led to longer than expected phone wait times. Visit our Top FAQs page for ways you can self-service. 

401k folder digitally transferring into an IRA folder

Considering a 401(k) Rollover?

Open new account

A Rollover IRA is a retirement account that allows you to move funds from a 401(k) from a previous employer to an IRA. As a result, the assets in your retirement account remain tax-deferred. We will help you understand the potential considerations of what a 401(k) has to offer, so you can make a more informed decision about what is right for you.

Helpful tools and resources

Explore the 401(k) fee analyzer tool and Ticker Tape® articles to help decide if a 401(k) rollover is right for you.

Tablet on table

401k Fee Analyzer Tool: See What You're Paying in 401(k) Fees
stack of papers and eyeglasses on a table

What to Do With an Old 401(k)? 4 Choices to Consider
Ferris wheel

Rolling Over Your Nest Egg? 401(k) to IRA

Retirement Plan Rollover Choices

Have you changed jobs or are you planning to retire? The information below can help you decide if consolidating your assets into a TD Ameritrade IRA or 401k may be best for you or call 800-213-4583 to speak with a rollover specialist. You have choices when it comes to managing your old 401(k) retirement assets.

Roll over your old 401k into a TDAmeritrade IRA
Advantages
  • Your investments will remain tax-deferred until you withdraw them
  • You will have access to a wide range of investments, including mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, options and more
  • You will have access to a wide range of tools, resources, and services
  • You may have the flexibility to convert to a Roth IRA
  • You may still have the option to move assets to a future employer's plan later
  • You may be able to take penalty-free withdrawals prior to 59½ in special circumstances (such as higher education expenses, health insurance premiums or a first-time home purchase)
  • Your TD Ameritrade IRA will not incur an annual account maintenance fee
Disadvantages
  • You will not be able to take a loan against your account
  • Any outstanding plan loan balances would need to be repaid prior to rolling over or you may incur income taxes and potentially a 10% tax penalty
  • Your investment activity may incur trading-related expenses, including commissions
  • You may not have access to the exact same investments in an IRA that you had in your plan
  • The level of protection from creditors for assets in an IRA is lower than in a plan
  • If you hold appreciated employer stock in your former employer's plan account, there may be tax consequences. You should consult a tax advisor

Leave the assets in your former employer’s plan
Advantages
  • Your investment plan choices may include low-cost, institutional-class products
  • Your total costs may be lower than other alternatives
  • Your investments will remain tax-deferred until you withdraw them
  • You may be able to take loans against your account
  • You may not have to take any action or complete additional paperwork
  • You may be able to take penalty-free withdrawals if you left your old employer between age 55 and 59
  • Your retirement plan balances may be protected from creditors and legal judgements under federal law
  • You may still be able to roll over to a future employer's plan later
  • You would still have access to investor education, guidance and planning provided to plan participants
  • The investment choices on your plan menu were selected by a plan fiduciary
Disadvantages
  • Your investment choices would be limited to those in the plan
  • Your former employer may pass certain plan administration or recordkeeping fees through to you
  • Even though you would still participate in the plan, you would not be able to contribute any new funds
  • Managing your investments among multiple accounts can be a lot of work

Roll over the assets into a new employer’s plan
Advantages
  • Your total costs may be lower than other alternatives
  • Your investments will remain tax-deferred until you withdraw them
  • You may be able to take loans against your account
  • You may be able to take penalty-free withdrawals if you leave your new employer between age 55 and 59
  • Your retirement plan balances may be protected from creditors and legal judgements under federal law
  • Your plan investment choices may include low-cost, institutional-class products
  • You may have access to investor education, guidance and planning that your new employer provides to plan participants
  • The investment choices on your plan menu were selected by a plan fiduciary
  • If you roll over to a new employer's plan you may not have to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) if you decide to keep working
Disadvantages
  • Your investment choices would be limited to those in the plan
  • Your new employer may pass certain plan administration or recordkeeping fees through to you
  • You may be required to complete paperwork to have your assets moved over
  • If you hold appreciated employer stock in your former employer's plan account, there may be tax consequences. You should consult with a tax advisor.

Take a cash distribution
Advantages
  • Your money (after any taxes and applicable penalties) will be immediately available to you
Disadvantages
  • Your retirement savings will be depleted
  • The amount that you cash out will be subject to mandatory 20% withholding for federal taxes if under age 59½
  • Your distribution will be subject to applicable federal, state and local taxes
  • You may be subject to a 10% penalty if you under the age 59½

Check the background of TD Ameritrade on FINRA's BrokerCheck