If you’re moving an IRA from one financial firm to another you have two choices. One is a rollover, which involves taking a distribution from the existing account and, within 60 days, depositing it in the new account. The other is a direct transfer, sometimes called a trustee-to-trustee transfer, where the money goes from the old firm to the new one, untouched by human hands. Other things being equal, this is the preferable choice. (more…)