Changing Gears

Last month, Changing Gears teamed with authors and CNN anchors Ali Velshi and Christine Romans to collect your questions on the personal finance issues that you’re facing because of the recession.

Here’s the next-to-last question in our series of Midwest Money answers from Ali and Christine, based on their new book, How To Speak Money: The Language and Knowledge You Need Now. (Each person whose question is used will receive a copy of the book.)

Chris Borrensen from Sugar Grove, IL asks,

I have two 401(k) accounts and a Roth IRA. The IRA continues on, steadily. The 401(k) accounts are with different brokers, and while my strategy is similar with both, the older one outperforms the one I have through my current job. Is there benefit or more risk in combining these accounts in some way?

Ali and Christine respond,

Chris, we think you should combine those two 401(k) accounts, for simplicity and for better investing. For this question, we turned to Ryan Mack from Optimum Capital Management for a gut-check, since he advises clients every day on issues just like this one.

“Combine the two accounts,” says Mack. “Regardless of performance differences between them, the older account (with your previous employer) is sitting stagnant, dead in the water.”

Why? Because your older account is not taking advantage of market fluctuations now. Rolling the old account into the new one will allow you to dollar cost-average effectively and take advantage of those fluctuations. As you combine these accounts, it’s a great time to make sure your investments match your age, time horizon and risk tolerance.

This quiz from “How To Speak Money” will generate a pie chart to help you make sure this money is working for you the right way. Good luck!

Read our other Midwest Money questions here.