This is only half true. 401k matching typically takes time to vest, and you don't have the same amount of personal control over a 401k. Also, particularly in tech, if you move from a larger company with 401k to a small company with no benefits plan in place, you're not going to be able to roll the 401k stuff into your IRA. Obviously it won't just disappear, but you'll have just leave it in your previous employer's care.
galdosdi|9 years ago
> Look into all the details and conditions of the program.
Either way, you're not _losing_ money, even if there's a delay in getting the match.
And IANAL and don't feel like looking it up but IIRC from last time I did it, I thought it was near universal, or legally required even, to be allowed to rollover any 401k into an IRA once you are no longer employed. Do you have a source or personal details on that? This is a major point.
The important thing is nobody with access to a 401k should delay looking into it by more than a pay period, as they are likely throwing away free money every pay period that goes by and they don't even look into the details.