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Roll over your employer plan

When you left your old job, did you leave your retirement savings behind? Give your money a fresh start by rolling it over into an IRA.

Learn how to roll over

What is a rollover?

A rollover is when you move money from an employer-sponsored plan, such as a 401(k) or 403(b) account, into an employer-sponsored plan held at Vanguard or a Vanguard IRA®. 

Looking to transfer an IRA or nonretirement account instead?

Ways to roll over your account

I want to keep my earnings tax deferred

Traditional IRA

You can lower your tax bill by deducting your contributions. You won't be taxed until you withdraw money in retirement.1

I want earnings to be tax-free

Roth IRA

You can access your contributions tax- and penalty-free before retirement. Taking money out in retirement is tax-free.2

I want to convert from tax-deferred to tax-free

Roth IRA

You can roll over your traditional 401(k) or 403(b) into a Roth IRA, but this will be considered a Roth conversion which is a taxable event.3

I want to separate my 401(k) or 403(b) from my other assets

Rollover IRA

An IRA can give you more control of your former employer-sponsored plan's assets. Your money won't be taxed until you withdraw it in retirement.1

Compare Roth and traditional IRAs

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Not sure how to roll over your assets?

Most rollovers are easy to do online. Follow the 3 easy steps in our guide to get started.

Learn how


Talk to an investment professional

800-742-9998

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time

Why choose Vanguard?

Flexibility with your investments

You can choose from a wider range of investments than most employer-sponsored plans offer.

See your retirement picture in a single view

When all your retirement savings are in one place, it’s easier to manage your accounts and monitor your progress.

Advice crafted especially for you

Our advice services can bring you powerful technology and human interaction.

Give your money a chance to grow

84% of our funds have performed better than their peer group averages over the last 10 years.4

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Learn more about rollovers 

Still have more questions before starting your rollover?

Rollover FAQs

Consolidate your savings today.

Start your rollover

Consolidate your savings today.

Start your rollover

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1When taking withdrawals from an IRA before age 59½, you may have to pay ordinary income tax plus a 10% federal penalty tax.
2You'll never pay taxes on withdrawals of your contributions. And you won't pay taxes on withdrawals of your earnings as long as you take them after you've reached age 59½ and owned the account for at least 5 years. The 5-year holding period for Roth IRAs starts on the earlier of: (1) the date you first contributed directly to the IRA, (2) the date you rolled over a Roth 401(k) or Roth 403(b) to the Roth IRA, or (3) the date you converted a traditional IRA to the Roth IRA. If you're under age 59½ and you have one Roth IRA that holds proceeds from multiple conversions, you're required to keep track of the 5-year holding period for each conversion separately.
3The amount you convert to a Roth IRA isn't subject to the 10% penalty that's charged on traditional IRA withdrawals taken before you reach age 59½. You may wish to consult a tax advisor about your situation.
4For the 10-year period ended December 31, 2024, 6 of 6 Vanguard money market funds, 70 of 97 Vanguard bond funds, 21 of 23 Vanguard balanced funds, and 168 of 191 Vanguard stock funds—for a total of 265 of 317 Vanguard funds—outperformed their Lipper peer-group averages. Results will vary for other time periods. Only mutual funds and ETFs (exchange-traded funds) with a minimum 10-year history were included in the comparison. Source: LSEG Lipper. The competitive performance data shown represent past performance, which is not a guarantee of future results. View fund performance

We recommend that you consult a tax or financial advisor about your individual situation. 

For more information about Vanguard funds or ETFs, visit vanguard.com to obtain a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information about a fund are contained in the prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing.

You may wish to consult a tax advisor about your situation.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.

There are important factors to consider when rolling over assets to an IRA or an employer retirement plan account, or leaving assets in an employer retirement plan account. These factors include, but are not limited to, investment options in each type of account, fees and expenses, available services, potential withdrawal penalties, protection from creditors and legal judgments, required minimum distributions, and tax consequences of rolling over employer stock to an IRA. 

Vanguard's advice services are provided by Vanguard Advisers, Inc. ("VAI"), a registered investment advisor, or by Vanguard National Trust Company ("VNTC"), a federally chartered, limited-purpose trust company.

The services provided to clients will vary based upon the service selected, including management, fees, eligibility, and access to an advisor. Find VAI's Form CRS and each program's advisory brochure here for an overview.

VAI and VNTC are subsidiaries of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and affiliates of Vanguard Marketing Corporation. Neither VAI, VNTC, nor its affiliates guarantee profits or protection from losses.