401(k) Rollover Authorization

Review your options and authorize Aberle Investments to assist with your 401(k) rollover.

Understanding Your 401(k) Rollover Options

Thank you for your interest in consolidating your retirement assets with Aberle Investment Management. This page aims to educate you on options you have with your employer retirement plan and IRAs and highlight conflicts of interest we have in advising on a rollover. We encourage you to read this page in full.

Fiduciaries and Conflicts

When we provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or individual retirement account (IRA), we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts.

Under the DOL Rule PTE 2020-02 released in 2022, it is viewed by the DOL that the rollover of your retirement plan is a fiduciary act. This is because when money is rolled into an IRA account under the advice and management of Aberle Investment Management, either from an employer retirement plan (i.e., 401k), the revenue we would recognize as a result of the rollover and subsequent management creates a conflict with your interests. So, we operate under a special rule that requires us to act in your best interest.

You have several options when it comes to your former employer's retirement plan assets, including:

1. Leave your money in your former employer's plan if your former employer permits it.

Choosing this option means you don't have to immediately decide where to move your savings. Your account stays subject to your previous employer's plan rules, including investment choices, costs, and withdrawal options.

Pros

No immediate action is required.
Any earnings remain tax-deferred¹ until you withdraw them.
You may have access to investment choices, loans, distribution options, and other services and features that are not available with a new 401(k) or an IRA.
You still have the option of rolling over to an IRA or to a 401(k) offered by a new employer in the future if the new employer's plan accepts rollovers.
Your former employer may offer additional services, such as investing tools and guidance.
Under federal law, assets in a 401(k) are typically protected from claims by creditors.
Your former employer's plan may have lower administrative and/or investment fees and expenses than a new 401(k) or an IRA.
You may be able to take a partial distribution or receive installment payments from your former employer's plan.
If you leave your job between ages 55 and 59½, you may be able to take penalty-free withdrawals.
Required minimum distributions (RMDs) may be delayed beyond age 73 if you're still working.

Additional option - Aberle Investment Management may now be able to manage your retirement plan assets without a rollover.

Cons

If you hold stock in your former employer in the plan, you may have special tax or financial planning needs you should consider before rolling over your assets to a new employer's 401(k) or an IRA.
You can no longer contribute to a former employer's 401(k).
Your range of investment choices and ability to transfer assets among funds may be limited.
Managing savings left in multiple plans can be complicated.
The fees and expenses for your former employer's 401(k) may be higher than those for a new employer's 401(k) or an IRA.

2. Rolling over your money to a new employer plan if this option is available.

If you're starting a new job, moving your retirement savings to your new employer's plan could be an option. A new 401(k) plan may offer benefits similar to those in your former employer's plan. Depending on your circumstances, if you roll over your money from your old 401(k) to a new one, you'll be able to keep your retirement savings all in one place. Doing this can make sense if you prefer your new plan's features, costs, and investment options.

Pros

Any earnings accrue tax-deferred.
You may be able to borrow against the new 401(k) account if plan loans are available.
Under federal law, assets in a 401(k) are typically protected from claims by creditors.
You may have access to investment choices, loans, distribution options, and other services and features in your new 401(k) that are not available in your former employer's 401(k) or an IRA.
The new 401(k) may have lower administrative and/or investment fees and expenses than your former employer's 401(k) or an IRA.
Required minimum distributions (RMDs) may be delayed beyond age 73 if you're still working.

Additional option - Aberle Investment Management may now be able to manage your retirement plan assets without a rollover.

Cons

You may have a limited range of investment choices in the new 401(k).
Fees and expenses could be higher than they were for your former employer's 401(k) or an IRA.
Rolling over company stock may have negative tax implications.

3. Rolling over your retirement plan account to an IRA.

If you're switching jobs or retiring, rolling over your 401(k) to a Traditional IRA may give you more flexibility in managing your savings. Traditional IRAs are tax-deferred¹ retirement accounts.

Pros

Your money can continue to grow tax-deferred.
You may have access to investment choices that are not available in your former employer's 401(k) or a new employer's plan.
You may be able to consolidate several retirement accounts into a single IRA to simplify management.
Your IRA provider may offer additional services, such as investing tools and guidance.

Cons

You can't borrow against an IRA as you can with a 401(k).
In working with an advisor like us, you are likely to pay advisory fees for the management of your IRA.
Some investments that are offered in a 401(k) plan may not be offered in an IRA.
Your IRA assets are generally protected from creditors only in the case of bankruptcy.
Rolling over company stock may have negative tax implications.
Whether or not you're still working at age 73, RMDs are required from Traditional IRAs.

4. Taking a cash distribution, which could result in taxes and penalties.

While withdrawing all of your money may seem like a good idea in the short term, be sure you understand the consequences before you do. Money withdrawn will be taxable and subject to a mandatory 20% federal withholding rate. You may also face early withdrawal penalties.

Pros

Having the cash could be helpful if you face an extraordinary financial need.

Cons

Taxes and penalties for taking a cash distribution may be substantial.
Withdrawals before age 59½ may be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty and will be taxed as ordinary income.
Your savings will no longer grow tax-deferred.
Withdrawing your money may impact whether you have enough money for retirement.

Important: Aberle Investments does not make recommendations about which option is best for your situation. This decision is yours alone. We're here to provide education and assist with implementation if you decide a rollover is right for you.

How We Can Help Review Your Options

We can provide a personalized analysis of your rollover options with the right documentation.

If you would like us to review whether a rollover is in your best interests, please work with our team to help us obtain one or more of the documents below. Upon receipt, we can provide you with a summary of options for your review and records. If you cannot obtain these documents, let us know, and we'll make efforts to evaluate your options through alternative means.

404a-5 Participant Fee Disclosure (delivered at least annually by plan)
Quarterly statements reporting investments
Summary Plan Description (SPD)
Notice of Distribution Options provided by your plan

About this rollover

This helps us prepare next steps. Your request is welcome regardless of account size; the items below are for transparency and planning.

What is the approximate value of the 401(k) you are looking to roll over? *

Under $25,000

$25,000 – $100,000

$100,000+

Your Information

Please provide your name, email, phone, and mailing address so we can follow up on your request.

Full Legal Name *

Email Address *

Mobile or primary phone *

10-digit U.S. number

Street address *

Apartment, suite, etc. (optional)

City *

State / Province *

ZIP / Postal code *

Current Plan Details (Optional)

Providing this information helps us serve you more efficiently, but it's not required to submit this form.

Current Employer or Plan Name

Plan Administrator

Required Acknowledgments

Please read and acknowledge each statement below. All are required to proceed.

I understand that a 401(k) rollover is optional and that I have other alternatives available to me.

I acknowledge that rollover alternatives (leaving assets in my current plan, transferring to a new employer plan, or taking a distribution) have been disclosed to me above.

I am requesting assistance from Aberle Investments with a potential 401(k) rollover. This is my decision, and I am initiating this request.

I understand that I retain full discretion over whether to proceed with a rollover after reviewing my specific plan details with Aberle Investments.

I authorize Aberle Investments to contact my current plan administrator on my behalf to gather information about my account and facilitate a rollover if I decide to proceed.

Electronic Signature

By entering your information above and submitting this form, you are providing your electronic signature. This has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.

Electronic Signature Acknowledgment:

I acknowledge that by clicking "Authorize & Continue" below, I am electronically signing this authorization. I understand that:

My electronic signature is legally binding
My IP address and submission time will be recorded
A copy of this authorization will be retained for compliance purposes