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401k Withdrawal & Moving Money Abroad

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Betsalel Cohen
UpdatedJan 5, 2012
Key Takeaways:
  • Find out what type of retirement account you have, traditional 401k or something else.
  • Take advantage of the tax benefits in a 401k account.
  • Before you make a full withdrawal and make an international wire transfer, check you whole portfolio and investment needs.
  • Start your FREE debt assessment

Should I withdraw all my 401k funds? Can I make an international wire transfer?

I am 66 and will retire this June. How can I cash out my 401K and take the money with me to my home country, Hong Kong, where I will spend my retirement years. I will pay the tax at distribution but I am concerned about moving the money out of the country. Will there be any additional taxes or penalties for taking it out of the country? I have $188,000 in the account. ed

Thank you for your question about a 401(k) withdrawal and making an international wire transfer. Before you make a large 401(k) withdrawal, consider you options carefully.

Before I deal with your particular question, I will clarify a few points about 401(k) retirement funds.

401(k) Withdrawal

In US code, withdrawals from a retirement account such as a 401(k) are known as "distributions." Human Resources and tax professionals use that term, but the rest of us call them "withdrawals," so that is the word we will use here.

The major considerations in making a 401(k) withdrawal are the following:

  • Type of retirement account
  • Age of Account holder

Type of Retirement Account

A 401(k) account assists anyone authorized to work in the US to save money for retirement and reduces their overall tax burden. There are various types of retirement accounts, including a traditional 401(k) retirement account, a Roth 401(k) retirement account, IRA accounts, and other specific retirement accounts. Each type of account has its own rule regarding the taxation of contributions and withdrawals. The traditional 401(k) account allows for a tax break on current income, for contributions (up to certain limits), that are made into the account. Withdrawals are taxed as income, when presumably, the retirees income will be less, and taxed at lower marginal rates.

Acquaint yourself with the type of account you have.

Age at Time of Withdrawal

There are very specific rule regarding the age on can withdraw funds from a traditional 401 account. The IRS in publication 590 provides many details about a traditional 401(k) retirement account.

Here are the main age criteria:

Post 70½: A 401(k) retirement account holder must make Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) withdrawal at the age of 70½, or at the time of retirement, the latter of the two. The IRS has tables showing the RMD, the minimum amount of money, in percentages, that has to be withdrawn. Failure to make the required 401(k) withdrawal will result in a fine. (There are exceptions to these rules, for example, if you inherit a 401(k) account, from someone who met the RMD requirements, and you do not. In this case, you will have to make distributions).

Post 59½: A traditional 401(k) retirement account holder may withdraw funds, without a penalty, but must pay taxes on the amount withdrawn. Remember, not all retirement accounts are alike. Check with your retirement advisor or fund manager as to the exact type of retirement account you have and the applicable withdrawal rules.

Pre 59½: A traditional 401(k) retirement account holder may make an Early Distribution, and, in general, must pay a 10% penalty, in addition to paying taxes on the amount withdrawn. For more detailed information, read these four Bills.com articles:

Tax Benefits

A traditional 401(k) account defers the tax to the time of retirement. That means, when you put the money in the account, it is not taxed. There are limits to the amount you can deposit each year. In general, the employer also makes contributions to the 401(k) account. When you withdraw the money, you must pay taxes on the amount withdrawn. Note, you do not pay capital gains tax on the growth of the investment, but you will pay income tax on all amounts withdrawn.

Therefore, the traditional 401(k) retirement account eases the tax burden in two ways:

  1. Reduces the gross taxable income at the time you are employed and receive your salary.
  2. Taxes the withdrawal, at the time you are not working, when your income and your marginal tax rate are lower.

By withdrawing all of your funds at once, you will create a large tax obligation, which will mean paying taxes at a higher tax bracket. Doing so is counter-productive to the benefits offered by the 401(k) account.

Managing Your Investments

You will have to decide which type of retirement account to deposit your money into, and this will depend greatly on your age, income level and tax rate. In some cases, there is a workplace plan, which you will join, in order to benefit from your employer’s participation.

In addition, you will have to decide how to invest your money. Often, you can choose between a managed account and a self-manage account. You will need to choose the most appropriate investment alternatives, for your situation. Each person has their own level of risk, and when considering a retirement account, your age will be an important factor in deciding on the types of investments to make.

Once you reach retirement age, you should reevaluate your investment portfolio. I recommend that you speak with the 401(k) fund manager, and an investment professional. Look at your whole picture, and plan your needs accordingly.

Transferring Money Abroad - International Wire Transfer

Currently, you can transfer money from one bank to another, including international wire bank transfers. The main restrictions in making a bank transfer, including an international wire transfer, relates to money laundering laws and regulations.

Your local bank, making the international wire transfer, and your foreign bank, receiving the international wire transfer, will both need to know the nature and source of the funds. Funds coming from your 401(k) retirement account should pose no problem in making an international wire transfer. Some countries do have restrictions regarding foreign currency. You mentioned Hong Kong. Check with a local Hong Kong bank regarding Hong Kong laws, regulations, and business practices.

401-k Withdrawal and International Transfer

When moving abroad, you should consider keeping a US bank account active, if you feel that you have any kind of monetary transactions in the US. It is very difficult to open an account while living abroad.

Should I Take a Full 401(k) Cash Out?

Making a full 401(k) withdrawal from your retirement account is a major investment decision. You need to consider your overall financial picture, including assets and liabilities, and future cash flow. A withdrawal from a 401(k) retirement account involves a large tax obligation, offsetting the main advantage of the program.

Before you make a decision to cash-out your 401(k), I recommend that you consider the following points:

  • Can you maximize your tax obligation by delaying withdrawals?
  • Can you adjust your investments into a portfolio that will best meet your future needs?
  • What will be your future tax obligations? A US citizen must still file tax returns, even when living abroad.

Although you can make a 401(k) withdrawal without a penalty, albeit at a higher tax rate, and you can transfer money abroad, I recommend that you speak with an investment expert, who can guide you through your investment, tax, and retirement decisions.

I hope this information helps you Find. Learn & Save.

Best,

Bill

Bills.com

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8 Comments

CCassie, Nov, 2020

I have been in the US for 10 years and aged 61, I am returning to the UK permanently and want to cash out my 401K. Will they take the tax due out when I cash out or do I pay them when i submit my next tax return? Should i cash out before I file my next tax return?

DDaniel Cohen, Nov, 2020

Cassie, if you are making a large withdrawal it is common that 20% would be withheld for taxes, but you can check with the administrator for you plan.

One thing to consider is whether you would be better served rolling over your 401(k) or depositing in an IRA. You have two months to do so after you leave your job. At 61, you won't pay a 10% penalty for a withdrawal the way those under 59 1/2 do, but the money you pull out is taxable income. A reason to place it in a retirement account is if you are going to have reduced earnings in future years compared to this year, you may want to take a portion of the funds over a period of years, so you don't bump yourself into a higher tax bracket. 

IIshmar Muhammad, Jun, 2020

I need to cash out my 401K,because I am Married to an Australian Woman & will not be coming back to the US I am Ishmar Spry/Ishmar Muhammad if you can help me please do Thanks Again!

DDaniel Cohen, Jul, 2020

Ishmar, you need to contact your 401(k) plan administrator.

NNarayan, Nov, 2013
Hi,I was working on H1B visa in USA between Jan 2007 and Feb 2013 and now I am back to India. During my stay in USA I was contributing 401K and now I want to withdraw whole amount. I want to know the answer of the following questions:1. Where I can show this income in 1040 form?2. How can I file 1040 or pay the tax on the amount of 401K if I don't have any w2 form? considering withdrawal in 2014?
BBill, Nov, 2013
If you make the withdrawal in 2014, then it will not need to be included until you file your 2014 taxes in 2015. It is likely that the plan administrator will withhold 20% of your withdrawal. You will receive tax documents from the plan, showing the amount you received and the amount withheld, but it will not be a W-2. There are specific lines on the tax return for you to show the amount you withdrew and the amount withheld. If you are concerned about doing it properly, consult with a tax professional.
mmaya, Sep, 2012
Hello my husband was living in the USA and now he is living in Canada (citizen of both US and Canada) he has a 401K, however, he will not be moving back to the USA. Should he cash out the 401K. In terms of taxes, he does file a foreign income 1040 and a form 2555.
BBill, Sep, 2012
From what you've stated, any income your husband takes from his 401k will have to be declared on his tax return. Unless the need for cash is greater than the penalties for early withdrawal, assuming he is not yet 59½, then it is wise to keep the funds in the 401k until retirement, when his income will be lower and the taxes on the withdrawal lower.