What Happens to My 401(k) Plan When It’s Frozen?

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In a 401(k) “freeze,” an employer temporarily halts all new contributions and withdrawals within its 401(k) plan.

You are most likely to experience a 401(k) freeze following a merger, while the new company determines what to do with the 401(k) plan it has inherited.

Key Takeaways

  • 401(k) retirement plans may be “frozen” by a company’s management, temporarily halting new contributions and withdrawals.
  • A freeze can occur in the case of a corporate restructuring such as a merger or if your company changes 401(k) plan providers.
  • During a freeze, the investments in your 401(k) account will continue to gain or lose value with the market.
  • You may have the option of rolling over the money in your frozen 401(k) into an eligible IRA.

What a Frozen 401(k) Means for You

If your 401(k) has been frozen by your company’s management, you will still retain all of the rights you had prior to the freeze. Your existing investments will still grow or shrink based on their market performance, and your retirement savings will maintain their tax-advantaged status. The only difference is that you cannot add new funds or make withdrawals from your account.

In most cases, you can change the composition of your existing retirement portfolio and shift assets from one investment to another. You should also continue to receive statements in accordance with ERISA guidelines.

What May Happen to Your Frozen 401(k)

There is no legal restriction on the length of a retirement plan freeze. Your 401(k) plan may be frozen indefinitely until the new employer decides what to do with it. The new management has three primary options:

1. Merge It Into Another Plan

The new employer may choose to merge your old plan with its own 401(k) plan. In this scenario, your retirement assets are rolled into that 401(k) plan, after which your account is unfrozen. Because 401(k) plans are highly complex and often very different, this can take a long time to execute properly.

2. Terminate the Plan

The new company cannot terminate your plan until it receives a letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) indicating that everything has been properly handled. After termination, your contributions, vested matches, and profits are all returned to you. If your new employer’s 401(k) plan allows for rollovers, you can opt to have your retirement funds rolled into that plan.

3. Continue the Plan

In this case, existing employees from the acquired company may continue to access the legacy plan, while any new employees will most likely be directed into the new company’s 401(k) plan.

Rollover to an IRA

You can also opt to move your funds into a rollover individual retirement account (IRA) instead of accepting any of the above three scenarios. If you use your old 401(k) money to establish a rollover IRA, you’ll keep the tax-advantaged status of those funds and not be hit with an early withdrawal penalty. To protect against tax penalties, be sure to arrange for a direct (trustee-to-trustee) transfer of your funds.

Frozen 401(k) plans are still required to pay out required minimum distributions (RMDs) at your request after you reach the age of 72.

How Long Can a 401(k) Be Frozen?

Legally, there are no restrictions on how long a company can keep a 401(k) plan frozen. Normally, however, management wishes to rectify the situation as soon as possible. In the event that your 401(k) plan is frozen indefinitely, you do have the option to roll it into an IRA and manage it on your own.

How Are Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) Are Handled During a 401(k) Freeze?

If you have reached the age for required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your 401(k) account and your plan is frozen, the plan custodian should still pay out RMDs as you direct. If this does not happen, request your RMD in writing and document your efforts to avoid IRS penalties.

Can a 401(k) Be Frozen During a Bankruptcy?

No. 401(k) plan funds are generally protected from bankruptcy. That means that if your company goes out of business, your retirement plan money is protected from both your employer and its creditors. If your plan has unvested employer contributions, these may disappear, however. Also, if your plan holds company stock, these shares may become worthless.



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