a comfortable retirement. To accomplish this you really need a wide variety of investment choices and the opportunity to move among them in response to market variations.

Most 401ks are limited to maybe 15 mutual fund choices which rarely change, even if market behavior dictates they should. Addit

In an ideal world you would start your working career with a great company in your early 20s, steadily climb the corporate ladder, retire at age 65, and draw a sufficient income from your accumulated 401k account to live happily ever after.

Unfortunately, that’s not how the real world works. If you are like most people, you will change careers, or at least companies, several times. Each time, you'll be faced with the question of what to do with your accumulated 401k benefits.

You will likely have a few choices: keep your 401k with your old employer (sometimes possible), roll the proceeds into your new employer's 401k plan, or put them directly into a self-directed IRA at a brokerage firm of your choice.

Since leaving your 401k with your ex-employer has no benefits whatsoever and most employers will prefer you transfer out anyway, that leaves only the last two as viable options:

1. Roll your 401k proceeds into the new employer's 401k plan of (if allowed)

This is the most painless solution and the one that does not require much decision making. While this is certainly acceptable, there is a bigger picture.

The ultimate goal of having a 401k plan is to provide you with a comfortable retirement. To accomplish this you really need a wide variety of investment choices and the opportunity to move among them in response to market variations.

Most 401ks are limited to maybe 15 mutual fund choices which rarely change, even if market behavior dictates they should. Additi

are like most people, you will change careers, or at least companies, several times. Each time, you'll be faced with the question of what to do with your accumulated 401k benefits.

You will likely have a few choices: keep your 401k with your old employer (sometimes possible), roll the proceeds into your new employer's 401k plan, or put them directly into a self-directed IRA at a brokerage firm of your choice.

Since leaving your 401k with your ex-employer has no benefits whatsoever and most employers will prefer you transfer out anyway, that leaves only the last two as viable options:

1. Roll your 401k proceeds into the new employer's 401k plan of (if allowed)

This is the most painless solution and the one that does not require much decision making. While this is certainly acceptable, there is a bigger picture.

The ultimate goal of having a 401k plan is to provide you with a comfortable retirement. To accomplish this you really need a wide variety of investment choices and the opportunity to move among them in response to market variations.

Most 401ks are limited to maybe 15 mutual fund choices which rarely change, even if market behavior dictates they should. Addit

o your new employer's 401k plan, or put them directly into a self-directed IRA at a brokerage firm of your choice.

Since leaving your 401k with your ex-employer has no benefits whatsoever and most employers will prefer you transfer out anyway, that leaves only the last two as viable options:

1. Roll your 401k proceeds into the new employer's 401k plan of (if allowed)

This is the most painless solution and the one that does not require much decision making. While this is certainly acceptable, there is a bigger picture.

The ultimate goal of having a 401k plan is to provide you with a comfortable retirement. To accomplish this you really need a wide variety of investment choices and the opportunity to move among them in response to market variations.

Most 401ks are limited to maybe 15 mutual fund choices which rarely change, even if market behavior dictates they should. Addit

1. Roll your 401k proceeds into the new employer's 401k plan of (if allowed)

This is the most painless solution and the one that does not require much decision making. While this is certainly acceptable, there is a bigger picture.

The ultimate goal of having a 401k plan is to provide you with a comfortable retirement. To accomplish this you really need a wide variety of investment choices and the opportunity to move among them in response to market variations.

Most 401ks are limited to maybe 15 mutual fund choices which rarely change, even if market behavior dictates they should. Addit

a comfortable retirement. To accomplish this you really need a wide variety of investment choices and the opportunity to move among them in response to market variations.

Most 401ks are limited to maybe 15 mutual fund choices which rarely change, even if market behavior dictates they should. Additionally, the canned advice provided through plan sponsors is generally not terribly useful.

The only benefit to this type of rollover is that if your plan has a loan provision, you’ll be able to borrow funds easily.

2. Roll your 401k proceeds into a self directed IRA

This is the preferable solution for most people, and with it you again have two choices: roll your 401k into a “Contributory” or a “Rollover” IRA.

Contributory IRA:

Once you roll your proceeds into this type of IRA, you may still contribute annually if you qualify (check with your accountant). However, the 401k portion can no longer be rolled back into another 401k with a new employer, should you ever want to do that. So you eliminate the possibility of using the loan provision with those funds. While it is possible to borrow against an IRA, it’s more limited than borrowing against an employer 401k. Check with your tax preparer for details.

Rollover IRA:

This type of IRA allows you the most flexibility. You may roll the proceeds back into a 401k plan if you want to utilize a loan provision. However, for tax reasons you should not make annual contributions to this IRA. If making annual contributions