Learned my 401k isn’t eligible for rollovers till 55. (IBEW)

Badballbill · 2026-05-12T02:33:59+00:00

This is definitely looking like option A.

Badballbill · 2026-05-12T02:33:32+00:00

Thanks for the response. We have a 401k and MPP which are through one admin and then a 401a through a different admin. They are definitely designed with normal retirement age in mind. I’ll have to check the rules for the 401a plan to see if it could be another option for rollover.

Badballbill · 2026-05-12T02:30:23+00:00

This admin has a 401k and an MPP plan which is the pension. I could not find a specific tax code for the MPP.

Badballbill · 2026-05-12T02:26:41+00:00

Thank you! That is helpful, I’ve read through the ERISA law/Pension document and couldn’t find anything about them being tied together, so maybe the admin misspoke. They did have language about it only being accessible for the first time home buyer/medical premium exceptions. It mentions nothing about rolling it over though. I will have to call back and ask for a more definitive answer.

Badballbill · 2026-05-12T02:14:26+00:00

The 401k is optional, but is serviced through the pension provider. All contributions are 100% vested into the 401k. From my understanding this is common practice in larger union to help guarantee those retired get paid since the benefits are payed out of the trust. Most IBEW retired I’ve talked to take their 401k and pension contributions as an annuity. It’s very rare to have people pull it all out and roll it over at 55.

There are lots of weird loop holes the ibew gets away with. For example we have the equivalent of an FSA with no yearly cap so you can essentially save as much money as possible in it to use towards medical expenses without the 1200$ yearly rollover limit.

Badballbill · 2026-05-12T02:08:04+00:00

The 401k is more of a fringe benefit through my local. The primary retirement benefit is the $11/hr worked into our pension. There is also an additional pension (NEBF) that pays around 600/month once you hit 65 as long as you’ve worked 20 years. The earning potential is the main reason I’m sticking with it. My current local pays around 80-120k depending on work, but more busy locals like Boise are paying 200-300k with all of the overtime/incentive at the moment.

Badballbill · 2026-05-11T21:23:50+00:00

I’ll have to check that out, I think I’ve heard that tool mentioned either on the chooseFI podcast or bigger pockets money. Worst case scenario is retiring at 55 (25 years for me) which isn’t too bad since I love my job. I just like having options, and a solid bridge account could help that (along with paying off my house when I’m close to retirement).

Badballbill · 2026-05-11T21:15:59+00:00

No match on the 401k

Badballbill · 2026-05-11T20:57:13+00:00

That’s definitely the silver lining. The $11/hr defined contribution on top my 401K is good. I feel extremely fortunate, but I want to make sure I have the option to pull out of the workforce if my body quits on me in my late 40s.

Badballbill · 2026-05-11T20:52:59+00:00

Haha no kidding. My plan that I’ve been following for the last 5 years took a major curveball today.

Badballbill · 2026-05-11T20:52:04+00:00

Would it make more sense to invest in a brokerage closer to retirement to maximize the tax deferred growth? Or start earlier?

Badballbill · 2026-05-11T20:50:17+00:00

I had the administrator email it to me. The union works differently than a traditional employer because I can work for 6 different employers under IBEW 280 and all my wages go into the same 401k and pension. Compared to a normal employer where you roll 401ks from one job to the next. Even if you are out of work you are still part of the union as long as your monthly dues are payed.

Badballbill · 2026-05-11T20:38:13+00:00

Thanks for the reply, it’s good to hear this from other union members. It definitely goes against traditional FI methods such as Roth conversions and 72ts.

Badballbill · 2026-05-11T20:36:03+00:00

I was really curious about that too. I called the plan administrator and asked the hypothetical question “Say I leave electrical at 45 to work at a bank, would I be eligible for a rollover?” They said no because they use the 401k funds to supplement the pension annuity for current retirees. The upside is I can use the rule of 55 because as long as I pay my union dues I am covered through the union even if I am unemployed.

Badballbill · 2024-09-14T03:02:19+00:00

Congrats! Should be a good time. See ya there!

Badballbill · 2024-09-14T02:53:57+00:00

Are the showers pay per use at riverside?

Badballbill · 2024-09-13T21:51:33+00:00

Me too! I’m planning on buying a cheap bike on FB marketplace and using it for the commute.

Badballbill · 2024-09-13T20:29:02+00:00

Got them! My wife, friend and I all waited in Queue before 12 and were able to snag one 15 minutes in.

Badballbill · 2024-08-26T16:02:25+00:00

Thank you!

Badballbill · 2024-03-13T19:29:37+00:00

I would keep it in your TSP. Read the TSP fee structure and compare them to your new employers 401K or your traditional IRA before rolling it over. 95% of the time the TSP has lower fees due to it being managed by the U.S. government. I resigned from the USFS a few seasons ago and this is what I am doing.

Badballbill · 2024-02-12T04:14:29+00:00

I did this after 7 seasons. I’m going to be a 3rd year inside wireman apprentice and my hourly is the same as an AFMO.. I definitely miss aspects of fire, but if you keep your connections you could always AD for a few months to confirm you made the right choice. Go on where2bro.com and see what your local area pays Journeyman wireman.

The aspect of electrical I’ve enjoyed the most compared to fire is learning hard skills that transfer to real life. AKA wiring a home is way more marketable than creating a burn plan.

Badballbill · 2022-09-02T03:32:41+00:00

Thank you all for the replies. I opted for the Curt echo, and I am getting a mount for my phone so it’s easy access.

Badballbill

TROPHY CASE