Leaving a Job? How to Decide If You Should Do a 401(k) Rollover or Not

Most of us have worked for a company that offered 401(k) plans to their employees. In fact, you and I have likely worked for multiple companies that provide this benefit. And as a result, you might have a number of 401(k) plans to your name if you opened an account with each employer.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. After all, most people should always use a 401(k) if their employer offers one -- even if the employer doesn't match. 401(k)s are powerful tax-advantaged accounts that you should take advantage of, whether or not your company chips in, too.

So let's say you've been diligently pumping money into your 401(k) at every company that offered one. But then you changed jobs. You started a new 401(k) at that new company -- and then got busy and left the old accounts behind (or maybe even forgot about them). What happens to all those old accounts? Should you do anything about them?

Maybe. It's important to understand what you can do with old from previous employers and then know the right choice to make for managing those accounts. Here's what you should know.