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On August 12, 2026, the IRS issued Notice 2026-49, giving retirement plan administrators standardized sample forms and procedures for rollovers and trustee-to-trustee transfers. It was written under Section 324 of the SECURE 2.0 Act, which directed the Treasury to simplify a process that has quietly cost retirees money through paperwork mistakes for years.
If you still have money sitting in an old employer's 401(k), or you're moving funds between IRAs at different companies, this affects you directly. Confirm which kind of move you're making before you call anyone.
Choose your next move
Confirm which kind of move you're making
The paperwork and the tax risk differ depending on the path.
Money moves straight from the old account to the new one. You never touch it.
Interactive toolDraft your questions before you call the old plan administratorPrepare specific questions about your Direct trustee-to-trustee transfer so the call stays focused.Show the toolHide the tool
Keep legal aid and paperwork meetings focused on deadlines, documents, and next actions.
Choose direct transfer over a 60-day rollover when you can
A direct trustee-to-trustee transfer is almost always the safer choice. The money moves account to account, so there's no withholding and no clock running against you.
A 60-day rollover works differently. The old plan is required to withhold 20% for taxes before sending you the check, even if you plan to redeposit the full amount. You then have to come up with that withheld 20% out of pocket to complete a full rollover, or the missing amount counts as a taxable distribution.
ChecklistConfirm the mechanics before you request the moveAsk your old plan administrator these questions directly.Show the checklistHide the checklist
0 of 4 done.
Use the new standard form to cut back-and-forth paperwork
Notice 2026-49 gives plan administrators optional sample forms built specifically to reduce the mismatched paperwork that has historically slowed rollovers between different companies' systems.
Using the sample forms is optional for plan sponsors, so ask directly whether your old plan and new provider have adopted them. If either side hasn't, you can still request the transfer, but expect to fill out each company's own version of the paperwork instead.
ChecklistGather this before you start the requestHaving these ready avoids a second phone call.Show the checklistHide the checklist
0 of 4 done.
Watch the 60-day clock if you go that route
If you chose Direct trustee-to-trustee transfer, the deadline is not flexible. Miss it, and the entire distribution can become taxable income for the year, plus a possible early withdrawal penalty if you're under 59 and a half.
Mark the deadline the day the check arrives, not the day you plan to deposit it. A few unplanned days waiting on a bank hold or a lost mail delivery is a common way this deadline gets missed.
TimelineTrack the 60-day rollover deadlineCheck off each step as you complete it.Show the timelineHide the timeline
Write down the date on the check itself, not just the day it reached your mailbox.
Deposit as soon as possible rather than waiting near the deadline.
Confirm with the new provider that the full amount, including any withheld 20% you replaced from other funds, has posted.
Report the rollover correctly on your tax return so the distribution isn't mistaken for taxable income.
If you're also weighing a Roth conversion as part of moving this money, read Should You Do a Roth Conversion Before You Retire? before you decide.
Save your plan
Save what you confirmed here so you have it on hand for the call.
Common questions
What does IRS Notice 2026-49 actually change?
Issued August 12, 2026 under SECURE 2.0 Section 324, it gives retirement plan administrators standardized sample forms and procedures for rollovers and trustee-to-trustee transfers. Use of the forms is optional for plan sponsors, so ask your old plan and new provider whether they've adopted them.
What's the difference between a direct transfer and a 60-day rollover?
A direct trustee-to-trustee transfer moves money straight between accounts, with no withholding and no deadline risk. A 60-day rollover sends a check to you first, and the plan must withhold 20% for taxes before sending it, even if you plan to redeposit the full amount within 60 days.
What happens if I miss the 60-day rollover deadline?
The distribution can become taxable income for the year, and you may owe an early withdrawal penalty if you're under 59 and a half. Mark the deadline from the date on the check itself, and deposit the funds as soon as possible rather than waiting.
Do I need anything special to use the new IRS rollover forms?
No. The sample forms from Notice 2026-49 are for plan administrators, not something you fill out yourself. Just ask your old plan and new provider directly whether they use them, since that affects how much paperwork you'll need to complete on each end.
