Sounds silly, doesn't it?

Leaving something as important as your retirement savings behind when you aren't even there anymore. But the truth is, if your former employer will let you, you may be able to leave your money where it is. Some employers will. Some won't.

The good news

If you leave your plan with your old employer, you can avoid paying taxes and penalties, and your savings can continue to grow tax deferred – which is a better than what happens when you take cash out.

The bad news

If you leave those assets behind, you won't be able to receive employer contributions. You won't be able to adjust your asset allocation in response to market changes as easily, and your plan beneficiaries will likely have limited options. But the biggest disadvantage is that no one will be actively looking over your account, reviewing your options and helping you prepare for your future.

Rather than leave your 401(k) where it doesn't belong, consider rolling it to an Edward Jones IRA. You'll get to choose from many investment options, and you'll have the ability to easily monitor and rebalance your assets based on your needs and goals. And you'll get the personal attention you may have been missing.

A local Edward Jones financial advisor is ready to help you roll your 401(k) plan assets over to an IRA to help you stay on track toward your retirement goals. Use our office locator or call 800-ED-JONES to find an office near you.

Take a
closer look

at the benefits of whether you should Roll it, Take it, Leave it or Move it with our 401(k) Options Chart.VIEW