Changed jobs? Decide what to do
401(k) Rollover Calculator
When you leave a job you can usually leave your 401(k) where it is, roll it into an IRA, or move it to your new employer's plan. The biggest long-term difference is often fees - see what rolling to a low-cost IRA could save you.
Leave it vs roll it
Extra by rolling to a low-cost IRA
$40,153
- Leave in old 401(k)$224,948
- Roll to low-cost IRA$265,102
- SuggestionRoll over to a low-cost IRA
Always do a direct rollover (trustee-to-trustee). A check paid to you can trigger 20% withholding and taxes if not redeposited within 60 days.
Your four rollover options
Roll to an IRAMost control and fund choice, often the lowest fees. Great if you want everything in one place. Watch out if you plan backdoor Roth contributions.
Roll to your new 401(k)Keeps things simple and consolidated, retains 401(k) protections and the Rule of 55. Limited to the new plan's fund menu.
Leave it where it isZero effort, but you're stuck with the old plan's fees and menu and may forget about it. Usually allowed if the balance is above a threshold.
Cash outAlmost always the worst choice - income tax plus a 10% penalty before 59½, and you lose decades of growth.
Figures current for 2026 · last reviewed June 2026 · sourced from the IRS (IRS Notice 2025-67). How we calculate & cite our data. Educational only — not financial advice.
Assumptions & notes
How is this modeled?
We grow the same starting balance at your assumed return minus each option's annual fee. Fees compound, so even a modest difference adds up over the years to retirement. We don't add new contributions - this is purely the existing balance.
When does rolling to an IRA win?
Usually when your old plan's fees are higher than a low-cost IRA, or you want more investment choice and simpler management. An IRA also makes future Roth conversions easier.
When might you keep the 401(k)?
401(k)s offer strong creditor protection, may allow the Rule of 55, and sometimes give access to institutional funds or a stable-value fund you can't get in an IRA. Rolling into a new employer's plan can keep a backdoor Roth clean.
These are assumptions, not guarantees. Investment returns and inflation are estimates you control - markets vary and past performance does not predict future results. Tax figures use current-year IRS numbers; your situation may differ. This tool is educational and not financial advice.