Where Can Roth 403(b), 401(k) 457(b) Account Assets be Rolled Over?

Q: I read with great interest your recent Ask the Experts column regarding the inability to roll over Roth IRA  assets into a 403(b) plan. It also appears that, from the IRS chart you cited in your response, there is not much rollover flexibility for Roth 403(b)/401(k)/457(b) assets. Is that correct?

Kimberly Boberg, Kelly Geloneck, Emily Gerard and David Levine, with Groom Law Group, and Michael A. Webb, senior financial adviser at CAPTRUST, answer:

A: Your assessment is correct. Generally, under current law, you can only roll over a Roth 403(b)/401(k)/governmental 457(b) distribution into either a Roth IRA or another Roth 403(b)/401(k)/governmental 457(b) plan account.

You cannot roll such distributions into any other account type. And, when you roll over such assets into a Roth IRA, you cannot roll them back into a 403(b), 401(k), or governmental 457(b) plan at all, per our prior column on this subject.

Though there are advantages to a Roth account, rollover flexibility is not one of those advantages.

NOTE: This feature is to provide general information only, does not constitute legal advice and cannot be used or substituted for legal or tax advice.

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