>> Here's the thing... I'd like to use part of the money to invest on my own, as I've done very well with researching via fool.com and a couple of the newsletters. Does anyone know if I can roll part of it to my E*Trade account or if I'd have to move the whole thing?

If I can move part of it, what amount is right? I was thinking roughly 25k, and move the balance to whatever new 401(k) is around. <<

Most likely, you should be able to perform a "partial rollover" into a self-directed IRA and leave the rest in your existing 401(k) plan. Note that if you withdrew an amount that left your old plan with less than $5,000 in assets, the old plan can require you to take the entire distribution and close out the old account.

As for what amount is right, only you can answer that. For me it would depend on what investment options were available (asset classes, fund performance, fees) in the old plan. The more I liked the existing options in that plan, the more I'd leave there. If they had nothing but mediocre performers with high fees, I'd liquidate the account and move it all into a self-directed rollover IRA.

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