More Workers Moving 401(k) into IRAs

A prior analysis conducted by Schwab from the beginning of 2008 to the beginning of 2009 found that 57 percent of 401(k) assets held by workers who left their job had been distributed one year later. Three-quarters (75%) of those distributed assets were rolled over into IRAs.

“We are definitely seeing an uptick in the number of 401(k) plan participants who choose to roll over plan assets instead of cashing out or leaving savings with a previous employer,” said Catherine Golladay, vice president of 401(k) advice and education at Charles Schwab, in a statement. “Consumers have been made more aware of the importance of saving for retirement, and when it comes time to change jobs, more people are thinking through their options for how to make the most of the money they have already saved.”

Workers generally have four choices with their 401(k) savings when they leave a job. They can leave money in a previous employer’s 401(k) plan unless the employer requires a distribution, roll the money into an IRA, move the money into a new employer’s plan if available, or take the money as a cash distribution.

As with an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan, a rollover IRA allows individuals to keep retirement assets invested in a tax deferred account, but with two additional potential advantages.

First, an IRA usually offers greater investment flexibility, including the use of mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, and bonds, as opposed to a 401(k) that is typically limited to a smaller core line up of investment choices chosen by an employer.

Second, an IRA can provide greater flexibility when people are ready to start receiving retirement income.

“Rolling money into an IRA can also keep retirement savings more top of mind,” said Golladay. She also explains that money left behind with a previous employer is often forgotten, which can result in asset allocations falling way off balance based on an individual’s savings objectives and risk tolerance.