401k Calculator & Guide
Have a 401(k) from a previous employer? Learn how to find an old account, understand your rollover choices, check fees and investments, and move eligible retirement money without creating an unnecessary taxable distribution.
Before deciding what to do with an old 401(k), identify the plan, confirm the account balance and determine which company or administrator currently holds the assets.
Start with the company's HR department or benefits administrator. Ask for the name and contact information of the retirement-plan administrator.
Search previous account statements, emails, benefits documents and tax records for the plan administrator or recordkeeper.
Request the current account balance, vested balance, available investments and distribution options.
Changing employers does not automatically mean the retirement money has been distributed. Depending on the plan and account balance, the money may remain in the former employer's plan or be subject to the plan's distribution procedures.
The IRS generally identifies four broad choices after employment ends. Availability depends on the plan and your circumstances.
If the plan permits, you may leave the retirement balance with the former employer.
A new employer's plan may accept an eligible rollover from your previous employer's plan.
You can generally roll an eligible old-plan distribution into a traditional IRA or, subject to the applicable rules, a Roth IRA.
You can receive the money, but taxable amounts and potentially an additional tax can apply.
There is no single destination that applies to every old 401(k). Compare the actual plan terms, fees, investment choices and tax treatment.
| Option | Tax treatment | Investment choices | Employer contributions | Important consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keep old 401(k) | Generally remains tax-deferred | Limited to the old plan's investment menu | No new contributions from former employer | Fees, services and plan features |
| New 401(k) | Generally remains tax-deferred for a qualifying rollover | New employer plan's investment menu | Eligible new-employer contributions may apply | Whether the new plan accepts the rollover |
| Traditional IRA | Generally tax-deferred for a qualifying rollover | Often broader than a workplace plan | No employer match | Fees, investments and future tax strategy |
| Roth IRA | Traditional pre-tax money generally becomes taxable income | Depends on the IRA provider | No employer match | Roth conversion tax consequences |
| Cash distribution | Taxable amount generally enters income | Money leaves retirement account | None | Taxes and possible additional early-distribution tax |
Compare administrative, investment and individual service fees between the old plan, new plan and potential IRA.
401(k) Fees →Compare the investment menu, fund expenses, diversification options and other plan features.
Investment Options →Consider features that may differ between an employer plan and IRA, including plan-specific distribution provisions.
Identify whether the old account contains designated Roth contributions before initiating a rollover.
Roth 401(k) Rollover →Mixed pre-tax and after-tax balances can require special rollover handling.
After-Tax Guide →A traditional IRA and Roth IRA do not have the same tax treatment, so identify the destination before initiating the transfer.
Roth IRA Rollover →A direct rollover generally moves the retirement money directly between the old plan and the receiving retirement account.
Identify the old employer's plan administrator and confirm your current account balance.
Decide whether the eligible balance will remain in the old plan, move to a new plan or go to an IRA.
Check the old plan's distribution rules and the receiving plan's rollover requirements.
Request a direct rollover and provide the receiving account information required by the plan.
Save the distribution statement, rollover confirmation and tax documents.
Former employer retirement plan
Receiving plan or IRA that accepts the rollover
The IRS allows eligible distributions to be moved through a direct rollover or, in applicable circumstances, a 60-day rollover.
| Feature | Direct rollover | 60-day rollover |
|---|---|---|
| Who receives the money? | Receiving retirement plan or IRA | You receive the distribution first |
| 20% federal withholding | Generally no withholding on the direct transfer | Generally applies to taxable plan distributions paid to you |
| Deadline | Transferred according to plan instructions | Generally 60 days after receiving the distribution |
| Replacing withheld amount | Generally not required | May be needed to roll over the full gross distribution |
| Administrative complexity | Generally simpler | Requires careful tracking of the 60-day deadline |
When an eligible retirement-plan distribution is paid directly to another retirement plan or IRA, the IRS says no taxes are withheld from the transfer amount. If the distribution is paid to you, mandatory federal withholding generally applies to taxable amounts.
A qualifying rollover generally preserves tax deferral. The tax treatment changes when money is taken as a distribution and not properly rolled over.
A qualifying rollover of traditional pre-tax money generally remains tax-deferred.
If the receiving plan accepts the rollover and the transaction qualifies, the money generally remains tax-deferred.
Previously untaxed traditional 401(k) money generally becomes taxable income when converted to a Roth IRA.
A traditional 401(k) rolled into a traditional IRA generally preserves tax deferral. Moving traditional 401(k) money into a Roth IRA is generally treated as a Roth conversion and can create taxable income.
Your account balance and vested balance are not always identical. Employer contributions can be subject to the plan's vesting schedule.
Your own 401(k) contributions are generally immediately 100% vested.
Employer matching contributions may follow a vesting schedule specified by the plan.
Certain nonvested employer contributions may be forfeited when employment ends.
Ask the plan administrator for the current vested balance and a distribution statement. The amount eligible for rollover can depend on the actual distribution and plan rules.
Federal rules give plans options for distributing smaller account balances after employment ends.
| Balance | Potential plan action | What you should check |
|---|---|---|
| More than $5,000 | The plan generally cannot force a distribution solely because you left the employer, subject to applicable rules. | Review whether leaving it in the plan remains available. |
| $1,000–$5,000 | If you do not make an election, the plan may generally transfer the balance to an IRA in your name. | Watch for distribution and rollover notices. |
| $1,000 or less | The plan may generally distribute the balance without your consent, subject to applicable rules. | Review the tax withholding and rollover deadline. |
Roth 401(k) money follows different rollover and tax rules from traditional pre-tax money.
Roth 401(k) Rollover →An account containing after-tax and pre-tax amounts can require special allocation when distributed.
After-Tax 401(k) →An unpaid 401(k) loan can have special distribution and rollover consequences after employment ends.
401(k) Loan →RMD amounts generally cannot be rolled over, so distribution status matters when evaluating an old account.
RMD Guide →Converting traditional 401(k) money to a Roth IRA generally creates taxable income.
Roth IRA Rollover →A direct rollover sends eligible retirement money directly to the receiving plan or IRA.
Direct Rollover →Gather these details before requesting a distribution or rollover.
Explore the complete rollover guide.
Understand your choices after leaving an employer.
Learn about traditional IRA rollover mechanics.
Learn about Roth conversion taxes and rollover rules.
Understand direct transfers between retirement accounts.
Learn about the 60-day rollover method and withholding.
Understand when a rollover can create taxable income.
Explore an illustrative rollover and withholding scenario.
Start with your account balance, vested balance, fees and available rollover destinations, then explore the dedicated rollover guides.
Clear guides, useful calculators and practical retirement resources to help you understand your 401(k), contributions, employer matching, Roth options, rollovers and long-term savings.
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