HELP! what to do with Retirement money

[fruitbowlk]

Hello all,

I have been laid off from my job so know I have to figure out what do with with all of my retirement money. I have rolled over my 401 k plan to my ira. But know I have more to roll over and I'm thinking about going with vanguard to get more options. Does it matter? or should I still with just one mutual fund company?

[bjl584]

Well things would be simplier if you stick with one company. And, there may be advantages to sticking with the same company. For instance, I know Fidelity gives you certain discounts once your account reaches a certain dollar level.

[Petunia 100]

I also would roll it all to one custodian. Vanguard is an excellent choice.

[Stock_Xchange]

My suggestion.....

Fruitbowlk,

The suggestions for one mutual fund family are valid, however, i am a financial adviser, a registered rep for a firm. Now clearing that, i suggest that you consult a financial adviser. What this achieves however is the ability to maximize the potential for reaching your financial goals and maintaining your income through the markets that currently, are a bit volatile. No one fund family, no matter how large, can truly compensate for what multiple fund families can in a balanced portfolio. There are so many things one fund family will not tell you if it is offered by another. Many fund families i'm noticing, are terrific in certain fields, lets say emerging markets or short term bonds. However the best way, and most intelligent way is to diversify between a few fund families based on your individual goals. Even crossing the threshold of breakpoints at any one fund family cannot compensate for your monies propensity to earn in others.

[disneysteve]

I will agree that things are simpler if you use one company, but ultimately, it depends on how you want to invest the funds. No one company is great in every area or every asset class. Personally, I own funds from 5 or 6 different companies. I chose each of them to get a good fund in different areas: small companies, real estate, precious metals, etc. Vanguard (which holds the bulk of our money) has funds in each of those areas, but the others are better IMO.