You have choices about what to do with your 401(k) or other type of plan-sponsored accounts. Depending on your financial circumstances, needs and goals, you may choose to roll over to an IRA or convert to a Roth IRA, roll over a 401(k) from a prior employer to a 401(k) at your new employer, take a distribution, or leave the account where it is. Each choice may offer different investments and services, fees and expenses, withdrawal options, required minimum distributions, tax treatment (particularly with reference to employer stock), and provide different protection from creditors and legal judgments. These are complex choices and should be considered with care. For more information visit our rollover page or call Merrill at 888.637.3343.
Distributions before age 59½ may be subject to a 10% additional federal tax on the taxable portion of the distribution, in addition to any ordinary income tax. You should consult with a tax advisor before making tax related investment decisions
Footnote 1 These calculators are hypothetical illustrations that are derived solely from your inputs. The retirement portfolio values given here do not represent the performance of any actual investments, nor do they account for the fees and expenses associated with investment activities. Individual results will vary, so consult qualified professionals about your situation.
Footnote 2 Consider the differing tax treatments for assets at retirement:
- For a traditional IRA or 401(k), pretax contributions and investment earnings are subject to ordinary income tax at then-current rates when taken as distributions in retirement. An atypically large retirement account distribution in any year could raise you into a higher income tax bracket for that year.
- For a taxable account, only net investment proceeds are generally subject to taxation (net proceeds are the capital gains, dividends and interest receipts that remain after allowable adjustments for investment losses and expenses). Long-term capital gains and qualified dividends may be taxed at rates that could be significantly lower than ordinary income tax rates. Interest receipts from some debt securities may be tax exempt at the federal level, the state level or both; otherwise, interest income is generally taxed as ordinary income.
This calculator is provided by a third-party not affiliated with Merrill or any of its affiliates. It is provided for general educational purposes only. The analysis generated by the calculator is based on information you provide and a variety of assumptions, which may include assumptions and projections about inflation rates, and account growth. Such assumptions and projections, as well as the report generated on the basis of such assumptions and projections, in no way are intended to predict or guarantee future inflation rates and investment performance of your investment. The accuracy of the analysis is dependent on the accuracy of such assumptions and projections. On calculators which require you to select an anticipated investment return, consideration should be given to factors affecting your potential return such as investment objectives, risk tolerance, and the time horizon for the investment. You should enter figures that are appropriate to your individual situation. As a result your actual experience is likely to vary, in some cases significantly, from the potential results suggested by the analysis.
MAP6494351-09272025