I have several 401ks and IRAs from prior employers that I have never rolled over, each has stayed where it originated (including Vanguard, Fidelity, Morgan Stanley and John Hancock). I do my personal investing (more like trading) with Ameritrade.
I am now self employed and no longer have an employer option and was looking to consolidate these.
I would assume that only like types would roll in to each other (401ks combine, IRAs combine), but who should I look to in terms of somewhere to roll? Any suggestions, and why?
All my investments have been rolled into Fidelity. I found their admin costs of their funds were some of the lowest that I have had from other 401ks. All my funds are pretty much on autopilot except for the occasional moves between them tho.
when I researched this Vanguard won buy a mile on fees. They are owned by their funds (and thus by you as an investor) so these is no external profit to be made. They also have a really really good iphone app.
If you want self directed you could roll into a TD Ameritrade/Think or Swim IRA. I prefer self directed personally but it depends on the person of course.
Having some in trading, some in savings, and the majority on a retirement plan that I can adjust/allocate once or twice a year or something like that. I’d be fooling myself to say that I was going to be doing this weekly/monthly/quarterly.
I don’t know what you’re currently in or at what cost basis but VTIVX (and most others plays) are elevated and I’d suggest waiting for a pullback/correction to make any moves. Perhaps park current elevated holdings in stable value till the time is right to make the move? Just my 2 cents of course.
Joe, stable value are of course bond heavy. How might those “stable value” funds be impacted by the bond falloff I can potentially see happening? I think our key is when bond money heads for the hills we have to see where it’s running because that’s going to be the next bubble most likely.
I’m not saying things won’t go higher here with any degree of certainty. I AM suggesting the late to the party entry is a bad habit when it comes to investing.
IMO, throw a fixed range oscillator on a simple chart and be patient. You ideally want to buy with the trend but not at highs or peaks. The feeling of being left behind is poisonous and will cause impatience and poor price opportunities.
Mid to late November last year was a fairly recent correction. Since then there have been little blips but no real major corrections which could be cause for restraint. Early march was a mild dip though not deep enough to merit up-rooting portfolios and allocations IMO. We’re currently into some resistance and “overbought” technically. “Overbought” means nothing in isolation but at resistance the odds are higher for some supply to enter the market. A educated/calculated guess if you will. Much of this momentum has been on Apple’s back and I’m kinda expecting profit taking and a correction there which would impair the broad equity market’s strength. We’ll see how much more insane and frothy Apple buyers can get. :lol:
Again…all JMHO. Finances are rather personal and we’re all in charge of our own moves of course. Good luck either way you go.
---------- Post added at 04:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:38 PM ----------
Here’s an example. To me a correction is when the blue line (21 week moving average) is sloping down in an otherwise upward trend. A dip to me is when price moves back down to the blue line as that moving average continues to climb higher. The stochastic on the bottom is pointing towards us most likely in a “melt up” where price auctions higher but participation and acceptance is lower. This typically ends with a correction, though it’s anything but a sure thing.
---------- Post added at 05:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:51 PM ----------
And a monthly view with an 3 month (quarterly) moving average. Stochastic hasn’t even rounded off yet so prices could go higher before they go lower, still I don’t like the entry personally. I’d want to see a bunch of red candles back to back I think…before I was making a long term purchase. I’m doing exactly what you are…waiting and getting antsy. I refuse to buy long term holdings at highs, just not gonna happen here.
That VTIVX fund is only 10% bonds. 90% equity. Of course, now that Goldman Sachs is telling everyone that this is the best time in a decade to buy stocks, that makes me want to pull out of the market too :lol: My favorite bonds right now are I bonds. Paying 3+%, risk free (US Treasury), and if we ever get the inflation that the doom-and-gloom guys keep saying is coming if Ben keeps printing money, you’re covered. I bought 5k last year and will likely go for the 10k max this year.
I’m not starting from zero, I’m asking what to do with all my current funds that are split across 3 401ks and 4 IRAs (in addition to setting myself up to continue to save).
Yep, I understand the split on VTIVX. The bond question was a general one really. I think we can all agree there is massive latent inflation in the system. We just need jobs and qualified loan applicants to get the fractional reserve machine kick started and BOOM, should be off to the races. Of course in nominal terms this means it’s even more important to shift funds and ensure you’re beating inflation or you’ll come out flat if not a net loser.
My main thought & question on bonds is…are the holders still scared and is that why they are willing to settle for sub par (below true inflation) gains? Or were the bailout/stimulus games enough to allow “recovery” while keeping their golden parachute money secure in bonds? If the later then we have a ton of sideline money that will create the next bubble if/when bonds break down.
---------- Post added at 08:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:51 PM ----------
I did understand that. The game is no different either way really, though it may be a clunky re-balance with all those accounts. I still think it’s important to stalk the right price yet ensure your current holdings/gains are safe. As safe as can be in a volatile market that is.
Right, but if I sell and buy back in to the same market place, I should be about the same either way. I’m fairly sure that’s what I’d have to do in a roll over, I don’t think i can cash out now, sit on it until it makes more sense to roll it back in. Or am I missing something.
If you roll to a self directed IRA you can park your funds as cash which is what I did with my Ingram 401k. Or even in a managed IRA with “stable value” funds you can move from higher risk funds where you might want to secure profits and re-allocate to “stable” funds. “Same marketplace” is rather generic, don’t forget you have fund options that may reduce your risk exposure and help secure profit. When you roll they sell your holdings and transfer the cash, not your holdings. Unless perhaps where you’re moving has the same funds available which is unlikely if you’re changing broker/firms. A stock transfer is also different because those shares are universal, unlike proprietary managed funds. Hopefully that all made sense.
Added—
Maybe this will clear up any confusion…I’m not suggesting halting the rollover, I’m making suggestions for the new consolidated account once transferred. Make more sense now?
