How does an employee roll over a 401k from a previous company?

Employees need to rollover their old 401ks themselves; employers cannot do it for them. The first few steps include the employee contacting their former employer or retirement plan provider and notifying them that they would like to transfer/rollover their 401k to their current employer or other retirement plan provider. The employee should follow the instructions from their new employer or new retirement plan provider to open a new account and then follow the transfer/rollover steps provided by their former employer or retirement plan provider.

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