If your balance meets current governmental limits and the employer’s plan document provisions, you may be able to leave your assets invested in the current plan. The sponsoring employer selects the investments available to you. The plan document controls distribution and beneficiary options.

As we talk about your options, some things we’ll take into account about leaving your assets in your employer’s plan include:

• Limited investment options in the employer plan versus unlimited options available if rolled to an IRA
   
• Limited distribution flexibility in the employer plan versus nearly unlimited distribution flexibility if rolled to an IRA
  
  
• Potential higher level of protection from creditors in the employer plan 
  
  
• If you retire between age 55 and 59, your employer plan may allow penalty-free withdrawals (income taxes will still apply). If you roll your assets to an IRA, penalty-free withdrawals generally are not available until 59 ^1/2. 
  
  
• If you hold company stock as an investment option in your employer plan, it may be eligible for more favorable tax treatment if distributed from the employer plan.