Does 401(k) Rollover Count as an IRA Contribution? - SmartAsset (2024)

If you have an old 401(k) at work, you might decide to roll it over to an individual retirement account (IRA). But does 401(k) rollover count as IRA contribution? The good news is that rolling money from a 401(k) into an IRA does not count against your annual contribution limit. It can, however, affect your ability to make a contribution for the current year.A financial advisor could help you create a retirement plan for your financial needs and goals.

How Does a 401(k) Rollover Work?

Rolling over 401(k) plan money simply means that you move it into another retirement account. When you leave an employer, you generally have three options for managing your workplace retirement plan. You can either:

Leaving your old 401(k) behind doesn’t mean you give up the money; you can still move it elsewhere later. But you may pay higher management fees to the plan since you’re now a former employee.

Cashing out a 401(k) can have tax consequences if you’re under age 59 ½. You’ll owe ordinary income tax on the withdrawal, along with a 10% early withdrawal penalty. Between taxes and penalties, you could walk away with significantly less money than you were expecting.

Rolling a 401(k) over into another eligible retirement account, such as an IRA, can spare you tax penalties. You can invest the money in your IRA so it continues growing for your retirement. IRAs can also offer tax advantages.

401(k) to IRA Rollover

If you’re interested in rolling money from a 401(k) into an IRA, the process is fairly simple. In fact, you can ask your plan administrator to handle the rollover for you to ensure a smooth transfer of plan funds.You’ll need to decide what type of IRA to roll the money into if you don’t already have an IRA set up. There are two options to choose from:

Considering your future tax situation can help you decide whether a traditional or Roth IRA makes sense. If you want to continue enjoying a tax deduction on contributions, then you might pick a traditional IRA. On the other hand, a Roth IRA might be more attractive if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket when you retire.

Does 401(k) Rollover Count as IRA Contribution?

The IRS imposes annual contribution limits on retirement plans, including IRAs. For 2022, the maximum contribution for traditional and Roth IRAs is $6,000 or $7,000 if you’re age 50 or older. But if you’re rolling over more than that amount from a 401(k), you don’t have to worry about it counting against your annual contribution limit.

You may, however, hit a snag if you’re rolling traditional 401(k) money into a Roth IRA. The IRS requires you to report 401(k) rollovers as income on your taxes in the year that the rollover occurs. Your ability to contribute to a Roth IRA, meanwhile, is based on your income and tax filing status. If a 401(k) rollover pushes you over the allowed limit for your filing status, you won’t be able to make a Roth IRA contribution for the year.

You can make a full contribution to a Roth IRA for 2022 if:

Married individuals who file separate returns and did not live with their spouse at any time during their year are subject to the same income thresholds as taxpayers who file single or head of household. If you’re married but file separately and you did live with your spouse during the year, you can make a reduced contribution only if your MAGI is less than $10,000.

The IRS does allow you to make reduced contributions at higher thresholds, though your ability to contribute to a Roth IRA phases out entirely above certain amounts. So if you’re thinking of rolling over 401(k) plan money, it’s important to consider how that could temporarily affect your ability to also make an annual contribution.

Should You Roll Over a 401(k) to IRA?

Rolling over your 401(k) to an IRA could make sense if you want to pay less in management fees or you want access to a different range of investment options. You may also decide to roll over your old retirement accounts if you simply prefer to have all of your savings in one place.

When planning a 401(k) rollover, consider the direct transfer option. That can save time and potential tax headaches. If you decide to roll over the money yourself, there are a few rules to know:

If you don’t complete the rollover within the 60-day window, the IRS can treat the whole amount as a distribution. That means you’ll owe taxes on the money that’s withdrawn and you may be subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty, depending on your age.

Your plan administrator will withhold the 20% for taxes before any money is sent to you. That amount is refundable to you but there’s a catch. You still have to deposit the full amount you withdraw from your 401(k) into your IRA. So if your company withheld $5,000 or $10,000 for taxes, you’d have to make up the difference when you roll the funds over. Otherwise, you’d owe taxes on that amount, along with the early withdrawal penalty.

Rolling over 401(k) funds can be confusing if it’s your first time doing so. Talking to your financial advisor can help you decide how to approach it in order to minimize any potential tax liabilities.

Bottom Line

Rolling over your 401(k) to an IRA does not count toward your annual contribution limit, which is a good thing. But it can affect your ability to make a contribution if you have a Roth IRA. Weighing the advantages and potential downsides can help you decide if the timing is right to roll over your old retirement plan.

Retirement Planning Tips

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