Monday 19 August 2013

IRA Rollover: Successful Exit Planning

By Rich Regalas


When running a company, there are always important choices to consider in order to plan your future. You spend all your working career saving for retirement, and probably have a majority of your investments in your company 401(k) plan or other retirement account. When you leave your company, you will need to decide what to do with the funds in your retirement plan. One possible option may be an IRA rollover.

Typically, if you take out money from your retirement account, you must withhold 20% for taxes (if the distribution is made out in your name). Then, if you want to reinvest the original principal in another plan, you'll have only 60 days to make up the difference. You can evade this required withholding by directly rolling over your retirement investments to an IRA. In this case, the distribution is put straight into the financial institution that will handle the IRA . With this method, you can potentially avoid penalties and taxes.

A direct IRA rollover will also allow you to maintain tax deferral on any income from your retirement account. Deferring taxes can make a big difference in your total retirement portfolio. Also, by the time you need access to your money you could be in a lower tax category, and perhaps have to pay even less in taxes.

One of the biggest advantages that an IRA provides vs a 401(k) plan is the amount of investment alternatives. 401(k) plans are typically limited to about a dozen investment options. Many asset classes are not even represented and the performance of the plans may be less than optimal. On the other hand, IRAs can offer thousands of different investment alternatives. They allow you to spread out your assets in shares of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, REITs, and other types of investments. Your financial team can help you select the most viable options based on your goals, current financial situation, and risk ability.

Rolling over your retirement account to an IRA will also give you the opportunity for a Roth IRA transfer. With this conversion, you would incur income taxes on the amount shifted, but any profits made on your account thereafter may be tax-exempt, if the required conditions are met. The initial IRA amount can always be taken out without being charged a withdrawal penalty.

Although an IRA is typically a feasible option, there are other ways to secure your investments. First off, you could decide to have your assets stay in your present account. Another option could be to take a cash-distribution from the account. Or, if you choose to open a new company, you could move the money to your new company's retirement plan.

So, meet with your professional team and get their advice on the most viable way to transfer your retirement assets. It can have a substantial impact on securing your future. By taking time to strategize, you can help ensure a secure, worry-free future.




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