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I have a 401k at work. I also have a Traditional IRA.

Both have losses. However, the 401k at work has much fees and expenses. Also it has larger pool of funds to choose from.

I want to consolidate this Traditional IRA into 401k.

Are there considerations regarding timing? i.e. Consolidate now, December 2018, or consolidate in January 2019?

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    You just wrote that the 401(k) account has “much fees and expenses. “ Is this a typo? – JTP - Apologise to Monica♦ Nov 28 '18 at 17:00
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    Will your employers 401K allow this? Some don't allow you to roll in IRAs – mhoran_psprep Nov 28 '18 at 18:56
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    Once upon a time. a standard Traditional IRA could not be rolled over into a 401(k) (or 403(b)) plan; but IRAs that held funds rolled into them from a 401(k) or 403(b) plan (these were called Rollover IRAs) could be further rolled over into another 401(k) or 403(b) plan if the plan allowed for such rollovers. Making a contribution to a Rollover IRA or transferring (non-Rollover) IRA money into a Rollover IRA was called a commingling of funds that changed the entire Rollover IRA into a Traditional IRA, meaning that all that money could never be rolled over into a 401(k)/403(b) plan. – Dilip Sarwate Nov 28 '18 at 21:46
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Both accounts are tax-deferred, so there should be no practical difference (from a tax perspective) when you roll.

That said, I would consider shopping around for a different Traditional IRA broker. Typically, corporate 401(k)s have higher fees and expenses than low-cost brokers that have MANY more investments to choose from. If you can find a broker with better rates AND options, then I would just move your IRA to that and NOT roll it into your 401(k). Once you leave your job, roll that 401(k) into your new IRA.

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