Contribution habits
A job change interrupts your paycheck, not your savings habit. A deferral set up once can keep running from the first paycheck at the new employer.
Balances are built from repetition rather than from one good decision. When you move to a new plan, the percentage you chose stays the same but the account, the fee schedule, and the investment menu may all change. Reconfirm the deferral in the new payroll system, ask when employer matching begins, and request the vesting schedule for any money you left behind.
If you have a gap between jobs, an IRA can keep the habit alive while you decide where the old balance belongs. Compare the trade-offs on our rollover options page, then run your own amounts through the contribution calculator.
Illustrative estimate
Enter the salary from your new role and the share of pay you plan to set aside. The estimate updates as you type, so you can compare a few scenarios before you decide.
Use gross pay before taxes and deductions.
Many plans let you start anywhere from 1% upward. Pick something you can hold steady.
Per month
$360
Per year
$4,320
This page is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice, and it is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security or retirement account.
Talk with a qualified financial professional, tax advisor, or attorney about your own situation before you act. You can also review our general FAQ, the tax notes on rollover options, or read the full Disclaimer.