Can You Roll an Ira Into a Sep Ira

Tax Consequences of Merging a Rollover IRA and a SEP IRA

These two retirement savings vehicles are different despite their shared name.

Updated: Oct 16, 2016 at 4:16PM

IRAs are a great way to save for retirement, and the tax laws provide for several different types of IRAs. You can learn more about these investment vehicles at our IRA Center, but for now, know that in addition to the traditional IRA that you can open yourself, SEP IRAs, also known as Simplified Employee Pension IRAs, are available to workers whose employers choose to adopt them. Rollover IRAs are also available to those who were covered by an employer plan in the past and want to move money out of their plan account into their own IRA. Under some circumstances, you can merge SEP IRAs and rollover IRAs, but it's important to know the tax consequences of doing so.

The unique aspects of a SEP IRA
With most employer-sponsored retirement plans, there are limits to when you can take withdrawals from the plan account. You typically can't make withdrawals from a 401(k) plan or other similar account until you stop working for your employer, unless certain exceptions apply. Hardship withdrawals can be available in some cases for situations involving an immediate and heavy financial need, such as medical expenses, educational expenses, or the purchase of a principal residence. However, plans don't have to provide for hardship withdrawals and can limit permissible uses.

SEP IRA rules are different from most retirement plans in that the employer cannot prohibit distributions from a SEP IRA. Even if the employer adds matching contributions, the worker must have the right to take them out of the account at any time.

Merging retirement accounts
The tax consequences of withdrawing money from a SEP IRA are the same as withdrawing from any other type of IRA. If you take money out of the account for your personal use, then the withdrawal will be added to your taxable income. If you do so before reaching age 59-1/2, then you'll be subject to a 10% penalty.

However, if you do a rollover or direct transfer of your SEP IRA to a rollover IRA, then there are no tax consequences. Because the money stayed in a tax-favored retirement account, the move isn't treated as a taxable event.

Some SEPs allow employees to transfer money from rollover IRAs into their SEP IRA account. In that situation, the same rules apply, and because the move again involves two IRAs, it isn't treated as a taxable distribution. Bear in mind that employers aren't required to allow employees to move rollover IRA money into a SEP IRA, so check first before you start the process.

In general, merging retirement accounts can be a smart move in order to consolidate your retirement savings and get access to the best investments possible. Being able to combine SEP IRA and rollover IRA funds can be a useful tool in simplifying your financial life.

This article is part of The Motley Fool's Knowledge Center, which was created based on the collected wisdom of a fantastic community of investors. We'd love to hear your questions, thoughts, and opinions on the Knowledge Center in general or this page in particular. Your input will help us help the world invest, better! Email us at knowledgecenter@fool.com . Thanks -- and Fool on!

---

Motley Fool Returns

Stock Advisor S&P 500

684% 145%

Join Stock Advisor

Discounted offers are only available to new members. Stock Advisor will renew at the then current list price. Stock Advisor list price is $199 per year.

Stock Advisor launched in February of 2002. Returns as of 11/16/2021.

Cumulative Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Stock Advisor Calculated by Time-Weighted Return

---

13 Steps to Investing Foolishly

• Change Your Life With One Calculation
• Trade Wisdom for Foolishness
• Treat Every Dollar as an Investment
• Open and Fund Your Accounts
• Avoid the Biggest Mistake Investors Make
• Discover Great Businesses
• Buy Your First Stock
• Cover Your Assets
• Invest Like the Masters
• When should I sell a stock?
• Retire in Style
• Pay It Forward
• Make friends and influence Fools

---

Investing Tools

• Compare Stock Brokers
• Compare IRA Accounts
• Financial Calculators

---

Can You Roll an Ira Into a Sep Ira

Source: https://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/tax-consequences-of-merging-a-rollover-ira-and-a-s.aspx

Bagikan Artikel ini