Q: I retired and asked to do a direct rollover from my former employer’s 401(k) plan to my IRA. The check was mailed to my house but made payable to my IRA custodian. I just realized that I didn’t deposit that check right away. It’s now past the 60 days since I received it. Can I deposit that check now, or is it too late?
A: You are in luck! You can deposit that check, even though it is after the 60 days from when you received it. The 60-day rule does not apply to a direct rollover. A direct rollover is when you don’t have control of the money. In this case, the check was made payable to your IRA custodian, not you. Therefore, you can deposit that direct rollover check after 60 days.