HEDGE AGAINST
WHAT YOU DO            WHAT CAN GO WRONG        THE HEADACHE

Open a rollover IRA    New IRA administrator    Check statements care-
with a mutual-fund     credits rollover to      fully, including account
family or brokerage    the wrong account or     numbers, ticker symbols,
firm. Request trans-   invests in the wrong     and share classes. Be sure
fer from former        stocks or mutual funds.  the trustee (whether your-
401(k) plan.                                    self or another) of the
                                                account is correct.

Assume transfer will   New plan cashes you      Request in writing a
be made directly from  out, deducting 20% for   custodian-to-custodian
old 401(k) to the new  taxes and 10% for early  transfer. If the check
plan.                  withdrawal penalties.    must be sent to you, ask
                                                that it be made payable
                                                to the new plan. Deposit
                                                checks within 60 days.

Send in paperwork in   Fund company or bro-     Keep copies of all paper-
a timely fashion.      kerage delays proces-    work. Send originals via
                       sing of new account,     return-receipt certified
                       causing market losses    mail. If rollover is done
                       or missed market gains.  online, print out all
                                                date-stamped documents.