What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Leave a Job?

When you leave a job, your 401(k) will stay where it is with your old employer-sponsored plan, until you do something about it. You may be able to leave your account where it is if your account balance isn't too small. Alternatively, you may roll over the money from the old 401(k) into either your new employer’s plan (if there is one) or an individual retirement account (IRA).

You can also take out some or all of the money, but that could mean serious tax consequences. Make sure you understand the particulars of the options available to you before deciding which route to take.

Your 401(k) Can Stay Where It Is

If you have more than $5,000 ($7,000 starting in 2024) invested in your 401(k), most plans allow you to leave it where it is after you separate from your employer. If you have a substantial amount saved and like your plan portfolio, then leaving your 401(k) in the account may be a good idea. If you are likely to forget about the account or are not particularly impressed with the plan’s investment options or fees, consider some of the other options.

What Else to Do With a 401(k) After You Leave a Job

If you don't want to leave your 401(k) where it is, you have a few options:

• Roll your 401(k) into your new employer's plan
• Roll over your 401(k) into an IRA
• Take distributions from the 401(k) (but if you're not 59½ you may have to pay a tax penalty)
• Cash out your 401(k) (again, you may have to pay taxes)

Roll Over Your 401(k) to a New Plan

If you’ve switched jobs, see if your new employer offers a 401(k), when you are eligible to participate, and if it allows rollovers. Many employers require new employees to put in a certain number of days of service before they can enroll in the company's retirement savings plan. Make sure that your new 401(k) account is active and ready to receive contributions before you roll over your old account.

Once you are enrolled in a plan with your new employer, it’s simple to roll over your old 401(k). You can elect to have the administrator of the old plan deposit the balance of your account directly into the new plan by simply filling out some paperwork. This is called a direct transfer, made from custodian to custodian, and it saves you any risk of owing taxes or missing a deadline.

Alternatively, you can elect to have the balance of your old account distributed to you in the form of a check, which is called an indirect rollover. You must deposit the funds into your new 401(k) within 60 days to avoid paying income tax on the entire balance and an additional 10% penalty for early withdrawal if you’re younger than age 59½. A major drawback of an indirect rollover is that your old employer is required to withhold 20% of it for federal income tax purposes—and possibly state taxes as well.

Roll Over Your 401(k) Into an IRA

If you’re not moving to a new employer, or if your new employer doesn’t offer a retirement plan, you still have a good option—you can roll your old 401(k) into an IRA. You’ll be opening the account on your own, through the financial institution of your choice. The best IRAs offer a good customer experience and more.

401(k) Distributions

You can begin taking qualified distributions from any 401(k), old or new, after age 59½. That is, you can start taking some money out without paying the 10% tax penalty for early withdrawal.

If you’re retiring, it might be the right time to start drawing on your savings for income. With a traditional 401(k), you must pay income tax at your ordinary rate on any distributions that you take.

If you have a designated Roth account, any distributions that you take after age 59½ are tax-free as long as you have held the account for at least five years. If you do not meet the five-year requirement, only the earnings portion of your distributions is subject to taxation.

If you retire before age 55 or switch jobs before age 59½, you may still take distributions from your 401(k). However, you will be required to pay a 10% penalty, in addition to income tax, on the taxable portion of your distribution—which may be all of it. The 10% penalty does not apply to those who retire after age 55 but before age 59½.

Once you reach the age of 73 (for those born between 1951 and 1959; the age of 75 for those born in 1960 or later), you are required to begin taking RMDs from your 401(k) when you leave your job. Your RMD amount is dictated by your expected lifespan and your account balance.

Cash It Out

Of course, you can just take the money and run. Nothing is stopping you from liquidating an old 401(k) and taking a lump-sum distribution, but most financial advisors caution strongly against it. It reduces your retirement savings unnecessarily, and on top of that, you will be taxed on the entire amount.

If you have a large sum in an old account, then the tax burden of a full withdrawal may not be worth the windfall. Plus, you may be subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty.

The Bottom Line

If you leave your job, your 401(k) will stay where it is until you decide what you want to do with it. You have several choices including leaving it where it is, rolling it over to another retirement account, or cashing it out. Be sure to look at all the pros and cons of each before deciding what to do with your old 401(k).