Rolling over a 401(k) with high-fee investments into an individual retirement account (IRA) with lower-cost investment options or into your current employer's 401(k) plan could save you a significant amount of money. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a 1 percent increase in fees could result in a 28 percent decrease in your retirement account balance.

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How to transfer your 401(k)

1. Follow these five steps to get your 401(k) rollover underway:
2. Determine the type of account you desire.
3. Determine where you wish the funds to go.
4. Open an account and learn how to execute a rollover.
5. Commence the rollover procedure
6. Act quickly

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What is a rollover of a 401(k)?

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How to get started with your 401(k)Â rollover.

1. Determine the type of account you desire.

Your first choice is the type of account to which you will transfer your funds, and this choice is heavily influenced by the options available to you and your desire to invest.

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• Do you want to invest the money yourself, or would you prefer someone else to do it? A self-directed IRA may be a viable option for those who wish to manage their own finances. Even if you want someone else to manage your IRA, you may want to consider a robo-advisor, which can tailor a portfolio to your needs. However, 'do-it-for-me' investors may prefer a rollover into their current employer's 401(k) plan.

• Does your old 401(k) offer low-cost investment options with the potential for high returns, and does your current 401(k) offer comparable or superior options? If you are considering a rollover to your current 401(k) plan, you should ensure that it is a better fit than your previous plan. If not, a rollover into an IRA could make a lot of sense, as you will be able to invest in any marketable asset. Otherwise, maybe it makes sense to keep your old 401 (k).
• Do you have access to financial planners through your current 401(k) plan? In this case, it may be prudent to roll your old 401(k) into your new 401(k) (k). If you transfer funds to an IRA, you must choose investments and manage the account yourself or hire a professional.

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2. Determine where the funds will go

If you already have an IRA, you may be able to rollover your 401(k) into it, or you can create a new IRA.

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3. Activate your account and learn how to execute a rollover.

Open your IRA account once you've found a brokerage or robo-advisor that meets your needs. Once the account is created, you can begin the process of transferring your 401(k) funds into it.

For instance, if the 401(k) company is sending a check, your IRA institution may request that the check be written in a specific manner and may require that your IRA account number be included on the check.

Again, carefully adhere to your institution's instructions to avoid complications.

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4. Commence the rollover procedure

In a direct rollover, your 401(k) funds are transferred directly into your new account without your intervention. It is essential to specify a direct rollover so that the check is not made payable to you. Withdrawals made prior to age 59 1/2 are subject to a 20 percent mandatory tax withholding and a 10 percent additional IRS penalty.

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5. Act quickly

Again, each institution may have its own method for transferring funds. Your 401(k) administrator can send a paper check to you or the institution where you are opening your IRA, or the funds can be transferred electronically via wire transfer.

If you receive a check in the mail, you must ensure that it is deposited into your new account. Act swiftly.

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What if you already have a 401(k) with your former employer?

Here are some options to consider as you consider what to do with your old 401(k):

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Maintain your 401(k) with your former employer.

In this instance, you will not make any changes. Ensure that you actively monitor the performance of your investments in the plan and remain informed of any significant changes.

If you enjoy your current investment options and are paying low fees for them, this option may be suitable for you.

Transfer your 401(k) into an IRA.

Greg McBride, CFA, chief financial analyst, notes in a Bankrate article that a multitude of mutual fund companies and brokerages offer no-load mutual funds and commission-free ETFs.

'Also, make sure you meet any account minimums to avoid account maintenance fees for having a low balance,' McBride advises. 'Index-based mutual funds will have the lowest expense ratios. Therefore, there is a way to significantly reduce the number of unnecessary fees.'

Ensure that your IRA institution will accept the type of rollover you wish to make by contacting it beforehand.

In a Bankrate article, Michael Landsberg, CPA/PFS, principal at wealth management firm Homrich Berg claims that 'according to the letter of the law, it is acceptable [to roll a 401(k) into a Roth IRA]. In practice, however, your 401(k) plan may not permit it”

Before rolling over your 401(k), take stock of the broader benefit structure T. Rowe Price has in place for you. Rowe Price already contributes on your behalf. Without a traditional pension, your 401(k) - alongside Social Security - forms the foundation of your retirement income at T. Rowe Price. T. Rowe Price may offer a 401(k) employer match - review your Summary Plan Description for current match rate and vesting details. Your overall withdrawal strategy, account sequence, and Roth conversion opportunities leading up to and into retirement deserve careful, personalized analysis given the income-sequencing implications.

On the healthcare side, T. Rowe Price does not offer continued medical coverage to retirees, which means coverage through the company ends when employment does. Planning for the cost of health insurance during any gap between your retirement date and Medicare eligibility at age 65 is a critical step - marketplace coverage, COBRA continuation, or a spouse's employer plan are common options. Building an accurate estimate of bridge-coverage costs into your retirement income projection prevents underestimating one of the largest variable expenses retirees face. Connecting your specific T. Bringing every piece of your T. Rowe Price benefits together inside a single retirement income framework is the surest way to see the full picture.

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Transfer your previous 401(k) to your new employer's 401(k) plan

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The benefits and drawbacks of rolling over a 401(k)

Advantages of a 401(k) rollover:

• You can consolidate your 401(k) accounts.

• In an IRA, you will have more investment options.

With a 401(k), your investment and account options are limited to those offered by the plan. An IRA can provide you with a wider range of investment options. In an IRA, you may be able to invest in stocks, bonds, and other vehicles that your 401(k) may not permit.

You cannot contribute to your previous employer's 401(k) plan. But if you roll this money over into a traditional IRA, you can contribute up to the annual maximum to this traditional IRA over time. You must adhere to the IRA contribution rules.

• You'll have the option to move the account wherever you'd like.

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If you already have a financial advisor or financial planner with whom you work, for example, you can take your IRA funds to any advisor you choose. Or perhaps you already have a brokerage where a portion of your funds are managed, and you wish to move all of your funds there.

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Negative aspects of rolling over your 401(k)

• You like your current 401 (k)

If the funds in your old 401(k) do not charge excessive fees, you may wish to remain with that plan. Compare the plan's fund fees to those of an individual retirement account (IRA).

• A 401(k) may offer advantages that an IRA does not.

If you keep your retirement savings in a 401(k), you may be able to withdraw this money at age 55 without incurring an additional 10% early withdrawal tax, as you would if you kept your savings in an IRA.

This loophole is inapplicable to IRAs, where withdrawals before age 59 1/2 incur a 10% penalty.

3. You cannot borrow from an IRA, as you can from a 401(k)

Numerous 401(k) plans allow for loans. Although withdrawals from your retirement account are not recommended, it may be prudent to have this option available in the event of a dire emergency or temporary bind.

If you rollover your funds into an IRA, however, you will not be eligible for a 401(k) loan. You may wish to roll over your old 401(k) into your new 401(k) in order to maintain your ability to borrow money.

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Added factors to consider

In a 401(k), net unrealized appreciation (NUA) and company stock are allowed

For instance, if you purchased company stock for $20,000 and it is now worth $100,000, the NUA is $80,000.

The advantage of the NUA strategy is that it allows you to avoid paying ordinary income tax on these distributions of stock from your retirement account. According to Landsberg, this can reach up to 37 percent, the highest tax bracket at present.

You will instead benefit from capital gains tax treatment, which even at the highest tax bracket is only 20%. However, high earners will be subject to an additional 3.8% net investment income tax. And a NUA may be subject to a 10% early withdrawal tax if the funds are transferred before age 59 1/2.

NUA makes the most sense when the disparity between tax rates is greater.

According to a Bankrate article, 'Net unrealized appreciation is a very potent instrument if used properly,' says Landsberg. Therefore, if you properly apply the NUA rules, you can be inventive and potentially earn a substantial windfall.

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Beware 401(k) balance minimums

According to FINRA, if your previous 401(k) has a balance of less than $1,000, your employer has the option of cashing out your accounts.

Always keep track of your hard-earned 401(k) funds and ensure that they are invested or maintained in a sensible account.

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Rollover Facts to Consider:

According to a Pew survey :

1. Some recent retirees transferred their savings to IRAs (46%), while others reported leaving their savings in their most recent employer plan (54%).
1. In contrast, near retirees were less likely to plan on leaving their savings with their employer plan at retirement.Â
2. A quarter of near retirees said they were unsure about what they planned to do with their retirement savings, and only 16% said they would roll over their savings into an IRA.
3. Half of near retirees and 55% of retirees cited their preference for their employer-sponsored plan’s investment options as the most important reason for not moving their retirement savings from their current plan.
4. Near retirees who planned to roll over their savings into an IRA were motivated by a desire to have greater control over their investments. Although greater control was also a factor for retirees, they were more likely to say that they rolled over their savings in order to gain access to professional advice.