Willers
Full time employment: Posting here.
- Joined
- May 13, 2013
- Messages
- 727
I think that 401k's have, in many cases, been demonized unfairly. My first employer's 401 was with an insurance company and the choices were VA derivatives. High fees, terrible returns, etc. Couldn't wait to roll it out.
My last two employer plans have been as good or better than most discount broker platforms, with no-load access to low expense load funds, institutional class shares, etc. DW's plan is actually the best I've ever seen even though she works for a small company (the husband of the controller is our 401k contact so he makes sure we (they!) have great options.
Back to the OP's question though, if flexibility and fund choices are the primary driver then it seems that a rollover is the way to get it. I also have a substantial umbrella to cover any liability concerns and recommend that to anyone with the kinds of NW's on this board.
Also, keep in mind that if the 401k is just a portion of your assets you may only need to find one or two funds in that plan that you like. Others would be available in your taxable and other deferred/Roth accounts. That has been helpful for me in one of our plans. I just use it to fill a specific sector in our portfolio.
My last two employer plans have been as good or better than most discount broker platforms, with no-load access to low expense load funds, institutional class shares, etc. DW's plan is actually the best I've ever seen even though she works for a small company (the husband of the controller is our 401k contact so he makes sure we (they!) have great options.
Back to the OP's question though, if flexibility and fund choices are the primary driver then it seems that a rollover is the way to get it. I also have a substantial umbrella to cover any liability concerns and recommend that to anyone with the kinds of NW's on this board.
Also, keep in mind that if the 401k is just a portion of your assets you may only need to find one or two funds in that plan that you like. Others would be available in your taxable and other deferred/Roth accounts. That has been helpful for me in one of our plans. I just use it to fill a specific sector in our portfolio.