That is what I did Jay and it seems to have worked out. As far as investment options, the new company had the same fund I was in with the old company so that did not really play into for me... depending on how you want to invest that might be a factor.

I will say the leg work/paper work was kind of a PIA. Seemed antiquated. The old 401k sending me an actual paper check then I had X number of days to get that check over to fund the new 401k. Hopefully you do not have to do all that. Not the end of the world, but seemed like a dated process.

Should be electronically done I would guess..

I thought so too. But that was not my experience. Not BS little companies either. Went from Citibank to Fidelity. That was in 2019.

My wife retired just last week and closed out hers to put with the guy who has mine over 20 yrs, antique paper check also from a major hospital-

So this paper thing is still the way for whatever reason-

My opinion, for whatever its worth, is that for most ordinary folks, it's best to roll over a former employer plan into a self-directed IRA. Usually you get far more investing options that way, and can have lower expenses if you select your own direct investments.

I've done two in the last year, mine and my daughters, each one was a paper check. When requesting the rollover be sure and stipulate that it is a rollover and not a distribution. The check should me made out to the new 401k plan "For the benefit of your name" e.g.,. "Fidelity 401K Plan For the benefit of John Smith". My daughters was super simple. She called her previous plan administrator, they three-way called the new plan administrator, read off several things to which she and the new plan administrator agreed to while on a recorded line, and that was it, it took less than 30 minutes. A week later the check arrived in the mail which was then mailed to the new plan. Mine on the other-hand was a PIA. They sent me several forms to fill out, I had to have them notarized and then mailed back to them and then 3 weeks later I received a check. Unfortunately, the check was made out directly to me as if it was a distribution with a huge amount of federal taxes withheld. Required another call to the plan administrator to have it corrected and a new check sent to me which took another 3 weeks.

I also agree with the others, that rolling it into a self directed IRA is the best way to go due to the increased number of investment choices and lower expenses

It should be noted, that if you go with one of the firms like Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard and others, call them before you take the distribution, and they'll step you through how to do it.

Thanks everyone for the input.