Read this if you have a 401(k) from an old employer

02/17/26 - Tuesday

February 17, 2026

 

Hey, it's Jen.

I need to tell you about a mistake that cost me over $5,000.

When I left my old job, I did the "responsible" thing and rolled over my 401(k) into an IRA. I felt so proud of myself for actually getting it done.

But here's what I didn't realize: the money just sat there in cash. Uninvested. For an entire year.

While I thought I was being smart with my retirement savings, I was actually missing out on over $5,000 in potential growth.

That's money I'll never get back. Money that could have been compounding for decades.

I was devastated when I realized what happened.

The whole rollover process was so confusing and overwhelming that I completed one step and assumed I was done. ⚠️ Spoiler alert: I wasn't.

So when it came time for my husband, Travis, to roll over his 401(k), we did things differently.

We Used Capitalize (And You Should Too)

Here's the thing: 29 million Americans have forgotten 401(k)s totaling over $1.65 trillion.

And even if you haven't "forgotten" yours, there's a good chance it's costing you money in high fees or sitting in poor investment options.

The average person could lose out on $700,000 over their lifetime just by leaving a 401(k) behind with high fees and poor allocation.

When Travis used Capitalize, the experience was night and day compared to my DIY disaster.

They walked him through everything, made the calls to his old provider, handled the paperwork, and, most importantly, reminded him to actually invest his money!

Here's what makes Capitalize invaluable:

  • It's completely free. 🎁 No hidden fees, no charges. They get paid by IRA providers, never by you.

  • They handle everything. ✅ No endless hold times, no confusing paperwork, no notaries. Their team of experts manages your entire rollover from start to finish.

  • You get unbiased guidance. 🤝 They help you compare options from providers like Fidelity, Vanguard, Betterment, E*TRADE, and more. They're not trying to sell you their own product.

  • You stay in control. 🧘🏻‍♀️ They'll help you consolidate multiple old 401(k)s, choose better investment options, and actually understand what you're paying in fees.

The process is ridiculously simple: You tell them about your old 401(k) and where you want to move it (they'll help you choose if you're not sure).

Then they take it from there—calling providers, completing paperwork, and keeping you updated. That's it.

⛔ Don't Let Your Old 401(k) Cost You

If you have a 401(k) sitting with an old employer, you need to deal with it. Not someday—now.

Because every day it sits there in high-fee funds or poor investment options is costing you real money.

Two out of three Americans don't even know what they're paying in 401(k) fees. You could literally retire years earlier just by reducing those fees and getting your money invested properly.

Trust me, I learned this lesson the expensive way. Don't make the same mistake I did. **

It's invaluable to have someone in your corner guiding you through a process that's unnecessarily complicated. Capitalize is that someone.

Talk soon,
Jen

P.S. Seriously, even if you think your old 401(k) is "too small" to bother with, it's not. Even a modest amount today can grow into serious money with decades of compound growth ahead. Check on it.

**Means this is a sponsored or affiliate section. We may earn a small fee or commission when you choose to try one of our sponsor or affiliate partners. But opinions are still 1000% our own.