Individuals turning age 73 in 2023 will need to take their first RMD distribution by April 1 of the following year. However, if you are still employed at your RMD age, you may be able to delay your first RMD until April 1 of the year after you retire. A solid foundation begins with comprehending your existing 401(k) plan. We break down its crucial components, ensuring you're equipped with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions. Some things you should know include: 

• Contribution Limits:
  • There are annual contribution limits set by the IRS. In 2023, the limit was $22,500 for individuals under 50 and $30,000 for those 50 and older (including catch-up contributions).
  • These limits may be adjusted periodically to account for inflation.
    
    
• Employer Matching Contributions:
  • Employers may choose to match a percentage of an employee's contributions, up to a certain limit or percentage.
  • Matching contributions are typically subject to a vesting schedule, which determines when the employee gains full ownership of the employer's contributions.
  • Until 2023, employer matching contributions to all 401(k) plans had to be made pre-tax. A new federal law called the Secure 2.0 Act changes this requirement. The Secure 2.0 Act allows employers to offer employees the ability to choose whether or not to receive employer-matching contributions as pre-tax or after-tax. Someone who works for an employer that provides the Roth matching contribution can, at their option, choose to receive matches as pre-tax or after-tax. However, it's important to recognize that it is optional. Employers may still elect to make pre-tax matches, or they may not provide a company match at all.
    
    
• Vesting:
  • Vesting refers to the process by which an employee gains full ownership of the employer's contributions over a specified period.
  • There are two types of vesting: cliff vesting (100% ownership after a certain period) and graded vesting (ownership gradually increases over time).
    
    
• Investment Options:
  • 401(k) plans typically offer a range of investment options, such as mutual funds, index funds, ETFs, employer stock, and target-date funds.
  • The investment options are selected by the plan sponsor or employer, but it is the responsibility of the employee to choose how it is invested.
    
    
• Taxation:
  • Contributions you make to a 401(k) plan or Roth 401(k) plan, any match your employer provides, and any earnings in the account (including interest, dividends, and capital gains) are all tax-deferred. That means you won't owe any income tax on these funds until you withdraw money from your account, typically after you retire.
  • Contributions to a traditional 401(k) are made on a pre-tax basis, which means they are deducted from your taxable income in the year you make the contribution.
  • Withdrawals from a traditional 401(k) are taxed as ordinary income. Roth 401(k) contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but qualified withdrawals (meeting certain conditions) are tax-free.
    
    
• Loan Options:
  • Some 401(k) plans allow participants to take out loans against their account balance, up to a certain limit.

Pros of a 401(k) Rollover:

1. More Investment Options: IRAs offer a broader range of thousands of investment options compared to very limited options in 401(k)s. This can provide greater flexibility to tailor your investments to your financial goals and risk tolerance.
2. Consolidation: Rolling over your 401(k) to an IRA allows you to consolidate multiple retirement accounts into a single account, simplifying your financial life and making it easier to manage your investments.
3. Control and Flexibility: With an IRA, you have more control over your investments, including the ability to choose specific stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, or other assets. You can also change your investment strategy more freely to dial it in to your specific situation.
4. Estate Planning: IRAs often offer more robust options for estate planning, including the ability to name beneficiaries and control how your assets are distributed after your passing.
5. Roth Conversion: If you believe that you will be in a higher tax bracket or that tax rates will be generally higher when you start needing your IRA money, switching to a Roth from a traditional account, and paying the taxes now might be in your best interest. It might not be an option in your 401(k).

Cons of a 401(k) Rollover:

1. Loss of Creditor Protection: Depending on your state, 401(k)s may offer more robust creditor protection than IRAs. If you're concerned about potential lawsuits or creditors, leaving money in a 401(k) might be more advantageous.
2. No Loans: 401(k)s may allow for loans in certain circumstances up to dollar limits. IRAs do not offer this option.
3. Fees: There are potentially higher fees in an IRA for professional management versus being responsible for managing the money yourself in a 401(k).
4. Access to Funds: If you retire at age 55, you can take a penalty-free withdrawal from your 401(k) account. This exemption does not apply to IRA accounts, where you will have to wait until you are 59½ to make withdrawals without paying a penalty. 

Ultimately, whether rolling over a 401(k) from a former employer to an IRA is the right choice depends on your individual financial situation, goals, and preferences. Joffrey Smith can provide personalized guidance and education based on your specific circumstances to help you make an informed decision.

Understanding which contributions go where is crucial for effective rollovers:

• Pre-tax contributions find their place in a Traditional IRA.
• Similarly, company match contributions also go into a Traditional IRA.
• Roth 401(k) contributions transition into a Roth IRA.

Additionally, appreciate the seamless rollover process, free from taxes or penalties.

• Individuals turning age 73 in 2023 will need to take their first RMD distribution by April 1 of the following year. However, if you are still employed at your RMD age, you may be able to delay your first RMD until April 1 of the year after you retire. 
• For a Roth 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) (designated Roth account), individuals will need to take their first RMD by April 1 of the following year after reaching RMD age. Beginning in 2024, RMDs will no longer be required from these accounts. 

• Roth conversion. The idea here is to convert some of your pre-tax savings into Roth savings. You'll have to pay taxes in the year of the conversion, but by lowering your tax-deferred account balance, you could potentially have smaller RMDs and gain a tax-free resource for future use or to leave money as a legacy.
• Qualified charitable distribution. A QCD allows you to make tax-free donations of up to $100,000 a year directly from an IRA to a qualified charity, thereby satisfying all or part of your annual RMD from your IRA. After 2023, this amount will be indexed to inflation.