401k decisions

If rolling to an IRA consider whether that will complicate a future backdoor Roth. If your 401k is traditional, it'll roll into a traditional IRA. Then if you want to do any conversions to Roth then the pro-rata rule comes into play if there are non-deductible contributions to the IRA involved

It really depends on the fees and investment options in both 401k's vs what you can get in IRA. Sometimes 401k's have access to instructional funds which offer lower expenses. In general 401k has less investment options than IRS. If all things are equal I'd roll the old 401k to an IRA.

2 things to keep in mind:

A 401k is protected through ERISA so creditors cannot place a lien on a 401k, but the same cannot be says about an IRA.

If you have any plans to use the rule of 55 to access money for early retirement, you can only do that through your current 401k not an older one or IRA.

Personally, unless there is any huge differences between the plans I go for simplicity and like to keep funds together. I've rolled older 401ks and IRAs to my workplace account. I use Fidelity and no other brokerage houses. I use Monarch money to keep an eye on everything.

the main Vanguard 401k fund is VSTSX with .01 expense ratio the second 401k with the same company I work for that was separated out after they changed things around is Scwhab VITNX with .01 expense ratio the one I want to roll over is in a fund called VINIX with expense ratio of .035

if this helps to see these and their expense ratios in gauging advice of keeping all once place vs rolling that one over to Vanguard with VSTSX ( my main choice)

Does the old 401k plan have plan fees? Are you ok paying those? Often .2-.4%. If ok paying those and good with the fund selection/fees, ok to leave there.

To see all funds in one place, simply sign up for empower to see all in one.

If you may want to diversify into funds outside of what the 401k offers, then roll into a traditional Ira and you’ll have freedom without fees to diversify into treasuries, reit…. But if far away from retirement then s&p and chill.

I second halbbd01's suggestion.

Are you already contributing to a Roth IRA? You can hold in the Roth IRA whatever asset classes you feel your employer plan is missing. Alternatively, maybe the Schwab 401k has an asset class your Vanguard 401k is missing. Think of all your various accounts as one portfolio.

My 2 cents. Roll into current 401k if the current plan has the same or better investment options. If options are worse, leave it. Also, I wouldn’t do the ira because it’s a hassle later If you start doing backdoor Roth contributions (you would have to roll it into your current employer’s 401k)