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FAQs

Answers to questions you might have about what we do and offer you.

Overall questions about a 401(k)

That’s where we come in. We help manage every step of the rollover process for you, from locating your 401(k) to helping you pick a new IRA and handling the transfer.

Your previous employer should be able to give you the name and contact information for the 401(k) provider so you can reach out directly.

If you left your former employer many years ago or the company’s been acquired, this may prove to be more trouble than it’s worth.

If you are unable to locate your 401(k), our team of rollover specialists will help you track it down if you decide to work with us.

A quick way to find out if you had a 401(k) is by checking your W-2 forms from previous tax returns. If you contributed to a 401(k), you’ll usually see an amount in Box 12 of your W-2 from that employer. 401(k) contributions will typically show up with letter code D.

You can also try reaching out to someone in the HR department at your previous job to confirm if you had a 401(k) plan set up.

If you are currently enrolled in a 401(k) plan then that plan provider might allow you to transfer in old 401(k) plans. It generally takes longer to do than a rollover into an IRA and you’ll be subject to the fees and investment choices negotiated by your employer. This is still a good option for consolidating your retirement account, even though most people who roll over choose an IRA.

Everyone’s situation is different, so there’s no one size fits all answer to this question but more people roll over into IRAs than 401(k)s.

Taking an early distribution from your 401(k) is an option, especially if you need money quickly in an emergency. Keep in mind that you’ll likely pay taxes and penalties on your withdrawal, and this decision may negatively impact your financial readiness for retirement.

Rollovers from a 401(k) are generally tax-free.

The exact processing time of a rollover depends on the 401(k) institution involved — it can vary from a few days to a few weeks.

Typically, yes, but the process can vary. It’s important to understand your IRA provider’s requirements before initiating a transfer — we can help track down those requirements and get your rollover processed!

Yes, but the process is a little more complicated than a typical rollover. Moving money from a traditional 401(k) to a Roth IRA is usually a two-step process: first, you’ll move your Traditional 401(k) to a Traditional IRA. Then, your IRA provider will move your Traditional IRA into a Roth IRA (this is known as a “Roth Conversion”). Keep in mind that most Roth conversions are taxable, so it’s a good idea to talk to a tax professional if you decide to go down this path.

The key difference between Roth and Traditional IRAs is when you get your tax break. In a Traditional IRA, your contributions are tax-free and you won’t pay taxes on the money until the time of withdrawal. In a Roth IRA, it’s the opposite — you’ll pay taxes on your contributions into the account but your withdrawals are tax-free.

Questions about our service

We help manage the entire process of your rollover — from finding your old 401(k) to helping you pick a new IRA and dealing with your 401(k) provider for you — all for FREE.

We use criteria like fees, public rating scores (where available), and then our own review of ease of use, customer support, and investment philosophy.

We can still help you transfer your 401(k) into the IRA you want.

We aren’t set up to help you roll into a new employer’s 401(k) plan yet, but we’re happy to provide insight on the process! First, you’ll contact your new 401(k) provider and let them know you’d like to process a rollover. Then, they’ll take you through next steps (which usually involves some paperwork!)

If you choose to open up an IRA with one of the providers on our platform then we may be compensated. This helps us keep the service free for users, but none of those providers are ever allowed to impact the content on our site. It also never affects the fees you pay as a customer. If you’ve ever used a site like Nerdwallet, Credit Karma or Lending Tree then you’ll be familiar with this model. Our reputation depends on you feeling like we provide an honest, independent product.

None of our compensation comes out of your money. It comes from the IRA provider. You worked hard for your money and we don’t want to take that away from you.

Ready to get started? Did we mention that it is FREE?

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