"[E]ach of the various ways funds can move between retirement accounts has its own distinct set of rules and requirements. Direct Rollovers are generally preferable over Indirect Rollovers, as they are subject to neither the 60-day time limit nor the 20% mandatory withholding, but do require to be reported to the IRS. On the other hand, Transfers do not need to be reported to the IRS and are used when an individual simply needs to change custodians or consolidate accounts involving the same kind of account."  MORE >>