Full Session Replay: Leave it, Move it, Roll it, Take it.
- Darren Webster
- Feb 18
- 3 min read
Leaving Verizon comes with a lot of decisions.
One of the most important, and most misunderstood, is what to do with your 401(k).
In this session, we sat down with Aaron Glass, financial advisor and former Verizon leader, to walk through:
What actually happens to your 401(k) after separation
The real pros and cons of each option
Tax implications most people overlook
Mistakes to avoid in the first 60 days
Live Q&A from Verizon alumni
Below you’ll find the full replay, plus structured breakdowns to make it easier to navigate.
🎥 Watch the Full Replay Below:
Section 1: Aaron’s Story & Perspective
Before diving into the mechanics, Aaron spent the first 30 minutes sharing context that matters.
He walked through:
His own career path at Verizon
The transition into financial advising
What he saw repeatedly happen when people left corporate roles
Why rushed financial decisions often create unnecessary tax consequences
Below is a quick summary of some high quality and actionable steps Aaron took in his career transition.
The Core Message From His Story
Transitions create emotion.
Emotion leads to urgency.
Urgency leads to mistakes.
Aaron emphasized that most financial missteps happen not because people lack intelligence, but because they act quickly without understanding:
Timeline constraints
Tax triggers
Long-term compounding impact
His perspective was grounded, not sales-driven. The focus was on education first.
If you’re in a transition period, that framing matters.
Section 2: Understanding Your 401(k) Options After Leaving Verizon
This portion of the session focused specifically on what happens to your 401(k) once you separate.
Here are the primary options discussed:
Option 1: Leave It in the Verizon Plan
For many people, this is the default.
Pros
No immediate tax event
Institutional investment options
Familiar structure
No paperwork required
Considerations
Limited flexibility
Investment menu constraints
Less consolidation if you change roles again
This can be a perfectly valid short-term strategy while you stabilize your next move.
Option 2: Roll It Into a New Employer’s Plan
If you move into a new W-2 role, you may be able to transfer your 401(k).
Pros
Consolidation
Continued tax-deferred growth
Simplicity
Considerations
New plan investment options may vary
Not always available immediately
Fees differ by employer
Important: Not all plans are equal. Compare carefully.
Option 3: Roll It Into an IRA
This was one of the most discussed options.
Pros
Broader investment flexibility
More control
Potential for strategic tax planning
Consolidation across multiple employers
Considerations
Requires paperwork
Must be done correctly to avoid accidental distribution
Investment selection responsibility shifts to you
Aaron stressed the difference between:
Direct rollover (non-taxable)
Indirect rollover (can trigger taxes if mishandled)
The distinction is critical.
Option 4: Cash It Out (Generally Not Recommended)
This option was discussed clearly — and cautiously.
What Happens If You Cash Out:
Income taxes owed
Potential early withdrawal penalty (if under 59½)
Loss of compounding growth
Short-term relief can create long-term damage.
Unless there is true financial hardship, this is rarely the optimal move.
Key Themes From the Q&A
The Q&A section focused on real-world concerns, including:
“Do I have to decide immediately?”
“What happens if markets are down?”
“What if I don’t have a job yet?”
“Can I split accounts across strategies?”
“How do Roth vs Traditional balances factor in?”
Aaron reinforced several consistent principles:
1. There is usually more time than you think
Don’t rush major financial decisions under pressure.
2. Taxes matter more than timing the market
Avoid triggering unnecessary taxable events.
3. Consolidation can simplify your financial life
Especially if you’ve had multiple employers.
4. Every situation is individual
There is no universal “best” option.
Support Resources & Next Steps
Click here to download the presentation.
If you want personalized guidance:
👉 Connect with Aaron Glass on LinkedIn
You can also:
Schedule a consultation directly with him
Prepare your latest 401(k) statement before meeting
List your employment timeline and income expectations for the year
That preparation makes any discussion far more productive.
Final Thoughts
Leaving Verizon is a professional transition.
Your 401(k) decision is a financial transition.
They are connected, but they shouldn’t be rushed together.
The goal isn’t to “do something.”. The goal is to make a clean, informed, tax-aware decision that protects your long-term growth.
If you’re unsure and want some help strategizing, reach out to Aaron directly.
Darren Webster is the Founder and CEO of Goalster, a technology and services company helping people and organizations achieve their most important goals through better execution, performance enablement, and ongoing development.
A former world championship-level athlete for Australia in sprint canoeing, Darren spent 15 years leading large teams at Verizon, where he developed a deep understanding of organizational high performance, along with the coaching and consulting industry.
Driven by a passion for helping people and teams reach their full potential, Darren built Goalster as a performance enablement platform designed to drive better results through execution, coaching, training, and accountability.
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