Mike MilliganFounder and CEO, 1.oak Financial · Founder and CEO, 1.oak Financial

The 5 Pillars of a Real Financial Plan

23 Dec 2025 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:40

In this segment of Mike Milligan’s video “The 5 Pillars of a Real Financial Plan,” the host explains why moving money from a 401(k) to an IRA is a key step in building a solid retirement strategy. He highlights that 401(k) plans often limit investment choices and hide fees, whereas an IRA—whether traditional or Roth—offers a broader selection of investments and clearer fee structures. Crucially, Milligan clarifies that rolling over a Roth 401(k) into a Roth IRA can be done tax‑free if executed correctly, dispelling the common misconception that any account transfer triggers a tax bill. The advice is positioned as part of a larger financial‑planning framework that emphasizes control, transparency, and tax efficiency.

Chapters

A smart process looks like, yes, taking that money that's in that 401 that has limited investment options, fees that are often undisclosed, enrolling into an IRA where you have more options, more selections on fee, actually get the investments that will satisfy your plan needs. But when you go from that 401 to that traditional IRA or Roth IRA, if your 401 is Roth, That's a tax-free event. Most people don't realize that. They think that if I'm moving from one account to another, that it's actually, I'm gonna pay some taxes. But if you do the rollover the right way, it's tax-free.