Getting Personal
Old Retirement Savings Plan
Question: I recently changed jobs and am wondering if I should move funds from my old 401k over to my new one. For your information my previous 401k plan does have more than $5000 in it currently. Is it much more beneficial to have one large 401k or a couple of small ones? Thanks. Tam, Van Nuys, CA
Answer: There are a couple of issues to consider. First, can you transfer the money from your previous retirement plan into your new one? Some pension plans will accept the transfer and others don't. Second, assuming you can move the money into your new plan, do you like the investment options? Third, you can always make a rollover IRA into a financial institution of your choice. I would either move the money into your new plan--if you like it--or set up a rollover IRA. Either way you'll keep better control over the long-term investment.
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Chris Farrell Marketplace Money personal finance guru
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