401(k) Rollovers to Self-Directed IRAs

As time goes on you begin to realize that you’re missing out on alternative investment options that would be available to you if you rolled over your 401(k) balance to a self directed IRA.

401(k) rollovers to self-directed IRAs is what you should do once you’ve retired. This puts more control in your hands and provides more frequent reallocation and better distribution options when you need money or when taking your required minimum distribution’s age at 72 or later.

A Roth 401(k) can also be transferred as a rollover to a self-directed Roth IRA. You cannot co-mingle this money with your traditional IRA dollars; the money must be kept in a separate Roth-designated account  but continues to retain the tax benefits and growth benefits of a Roth IRA account.

Managing Your Retirement Plan

Let us help you make a connection to a financial advisor near you to help you with the decision of what to do with your retirement plan.

Don’t try to do this on your own! Many people who are retired feel as if they have time to manage their own retirement plans only to learn on the run and lose money as they go. Let a seasoned professional talk to you first to explore your current circumstances, learn about your risk tolerance and understand your financial and lifestyle goals. With this information they’ll come up with a personalized plan and allocation strategy involving many different investments to help you achieve the income and growth that you may be looking for from your 401(k) dollars.

To find out more click here. We will be asking a brief set of questions that will help us learn more about you and match you with a financial advisor that you would like to work with. We provide your information only to one referral financial advisor who will contact you shortly after you submit your information. We will email you the adviser’s name, phone number and firm they represent and ask that you place the information in your phone book so that when they call you’ll know who they are.

Understanding How Financial Advisors Are Paid is Important

Fees for financial planning are not always charged by advisors. Many will provide their services free to you and would then be paid a commission from any product you may purchase. They are still obligated under the Best Interests Rule to place your needs ahead of their own. This “The Best Interest Rule” was recently passed and will take affect this summer of 2020.

We suggest that you ask your advisor how they are paid, what commissions they may receive, what their planning fees are and if there are any ongoing fees they may charge you monthly for oversight or management.

Outside Advice

When moving money to tax qualified investments outside of your retirement plan you can choose a financial advisor that works only for you, understands your individual goals, needs and may take on the capacity of a fiduciary overseeing your investments in your best interests. Often your employer’s retirement plan counselor is limited to offering any investing or investment advice leaving you with the job of doing it yourself and you may not be comfortable with that option.

Movement of Money Strategy

TSP and retirement plans available to employees are typically long term and dollar cost averaging growth investing. Once you retire your strategy will need to change form growth to income. To make this change in one movement of money at one time is not always the best choice. Having an outside plan now, while you are still working, will allow you the opportunity to slowly transfer your growth strategy into an income strategy so by the time you do retire you can ease into a stream of income that may better meet your needs.

It’s Easy To Move Your Money From Your Plan

Provided you are age 591/2 or older you may be allowed an in service retirement funds transfer. This will allow you to transfer all or a portion of your retirement plan funds to an outside retirement plans self directed IRA allowing you to take advantage of selecting an annuity to other qualifying alternative investments for your funds today. Many plans offer the ability to phone in your request to transfer money to a new custodian for a tax qualified IRA account. Sometimes its simple paperwork and your financial advisor should be familiar with each of the processes and walk you through them.

You can learn more about the types of annuities that are available by visiting the annuity selection tab on our website.

Diversify Your Portfolio

You can transfer a portion of your TSP to outside tax qualified programs as well. Many investors do not want all of their retirement managed by one source or having a limited number of choices.

1. Safety

Safety is a great concern for everyone especially with stock market volatility and knowing you have purposely moved money to a safe or even guaranteed investment can make your retirement less worrisome.

2. Outside Advice

When moving money to tax qualified investments outside of your retirement plan you can choose a financial advisor that works for you and understands your individual needs, this person may take on the capacity of a fiduciary overseeing your investments in your best interests.

3. Income

Retirement plans available to employees are typically a tool for long term growth investing. Once you retire your strategy will need to change form growth to income especially when you reach age 72 and begin Required Minimum Distributions. This was recently changed from age 70 1/2.

4. Safe & Planned Movements of Money

To make any changes in one large lump sum movement of money at one time is not always the best choice. Having an outside plan now, while you are still working, will allow you the opportunity to slowly convert your growth strategy into an income strategy so by the time you do retire you can ease into a stream of income that may better meet your needs.

5. Your In-Service Withdrawal Booklet – Download Here

Please visit your TSP website at www.TSP.gov to learn more.

The booklet will explain all of your in service withdrawal options. Your financial advisor will be able to assist you in making the correct withdrawal option for your needs. If you are looking to Transfer your TSP partially or completely your financial advisor will be able to explain the various Tax qualified, IRA investment options to reinvest your money or create a stream of income now or later in life when you want it.

How To Get Started

Getting started is easy. Just fill out our short form to start the process and be on your way to a stable financial future.

General Resources

TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS STEADY RETIREMENT INCOME