Quick answer
A rollover moves eligible retirement-plan money into another eligible retirement arrangement. Whether a rollover is permitted depends on the plan, distribution eligibility and destination account.
What matters in practice
A direct rollover generally sends money from the plan to the receiving retirement account without paying it to the participant. Indirect rollovers introduce timing and withholding considerations.
Questions to ask before proceeding
Before acting, confirm distribution eligibility with the current plan, verify the receiving custodian, compare fees and protections, and ask about any plan benefits that could be lost.
Risks and limitations
A rollover is not a new annual IRA contribution. Taxable conversions, required minimum distributions and other special cases must be evaluated separately.
Next steps
Use the retirement scenario calculator to explore illustrative outcomes, read the IRA custodian checklist, and compare provider costs before requesting information from any provider.
Editorial note
This is general education, not individualized tax, legal or investment advice. Verify current rules with the IRS and consult qualified professionals where appropriate. Financial claims and links require review before publication.