Yes you can. Any vested balance in the 401k is your money. Once your employer has your status as no longer employed you can either withdraw it directly or roll it to an IRA.
Taxes will be withheld. Then, you'll need to deposit the full amount withdrawn, before taxes, into a new 401(k) or IRA retirement savings account within 60 days to avoid taxes and early withdrawal penalties (if you're not yet at retirement age).
You don't automatically receive money after leaving employment. You can leave that money in your old employer's plan for the rest of your life. You have the option of rolling over your savings into a new 401k at your new employer's or into an IRA, but you have to submit a request for that.
Can I lose my 401(k) after I quit or get laid off? No. You always have ownership of the money you contributed to your 401(k) account even after being laid off. Your former employer must allow your money to remain in the plan until you decide to do something with it – with a few exceptions.
When you leave an employer, you have several options: Leave the account where it is. Roll it over to your new employer's 401(k) on a pre-tax or after-tax basis. Roll it into a traditional or Roth IRA outside of your new employers' plan.
The short answer is that yes, you can withdraw money from your 401(k) before age 59 ½. However, early withdrawals often come with hefty penalties and tax consequences.
You just need to contact the administrator of your plan and fill out certain forms for the distribution of your 401(k) funds. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may charge you a penalty of 10% for early withdrawal if you don't roll your funds over, subject to certain exceptions.
Transferring Your 401(k) to Your Bank Account
That's typically an option when you stop working, but be aware that moving money to your checking or savings account may be considered a taxable distribution.
Your employer can never take back your vested funds. However, if any portion of your 401(k) balance is not vested, your employer may reclaim this money under certain circumstances — for instance, when your employment status changes.
The Bottom Line. If you leave your job, your 401(k) will stay where it is until you decide what you want to do with it. You have several choices including leaving it where it is, rolling it over to another retirement account, or cashing it out.
You can withdraw money from your 401(k) early, but in most cases, you'll have to pay a 10% penalty and income tax. A 401(k) loan lets you borrow from your retirement savings without the penalty, but you must repay it within five years with interest.
Roll over your 401(k) to a Roth IRA
You can roll Roth 401(k) contributions and earnings directly into a Roth IRA tax-free. Any additional contributions and earnings can grow tax-free. You are not required to take RMDs. You may have more investment choices than what was available in your former employer's 401(k).
Depending on who administers your 401(k) account, it can take between three and 10 business days to receive a check after cashing out your 401(k). If you need money in a pinch, it may be time to make some quick cash or look into other financial crisis options before taking money out of a retirement account.
Key Takeaways. Even with its drawbacks, the 401K can be a valuable tool in your retirement toolkit. The tax-deferred growth, employer matching, and compounding interest you can earn over time make it a powerful option—though it's far from perfect.
Although you generally have up to five years to repay a 401(k) loan, leaving your job (or losing it) before the loan is repaid may mean you have to pay back what you owe quickly. If you can't, the loan will go into default and the unpaid balance is considered a distribution (referred to as the loan offset amount).
If your old plan sends the rollover check made out to you instead of your new plan administrator, your old plan is required to withhold 20% of your balance in taxes, and you only have 60 days to deposit that money into a tax-advantaged retirement account, like a 401(k), or you could face early withdrawal penalties.
Bond funds, money market funds, index funds, stable value funds, and target-date funds are lower-risk options for your 401(k).
The IRS does not suspend its rules on early withdrawals when you leave one job for another. If you cash out your 401(k), you have 60 days to put that money into another qualified retirement account or else penalties and taxes will apply.
But, no, you don't pay income tax twice on 401(k) withdrawals. With the 20% withholding on your distribution, you're essentially paying part of your taxes upfront. Depending on your tax situation, the amount withheld might not be enough to cover your full tax liability.
A loan lets you borrow money from your retirement savings and pay it back to yourself over time, with interest—the loan payments and interest go back into your account. A withdrawal permanently removes money from your retirement savings for your immediate use, but you'll have to pay extra taxes and possible penalties.
In retirement, you can withdraw only as much as you need to live, and allow the rest to remain invested. You can also choose to use your 401(k) funds to purchase an annuity that will pay out guaranteed lifetime income. Internal Revenue Service. “401(k) Resource Guide - Plan Participants - General Distribution Rules.”
A company can hold onto an employee's 401(k) account indefinitely after they leave, but they are required to distribute the funds if the employee requests it or if the account balance is less than $5,000.