Question

What is the biggest difference in who controls the 401(k) and IRA retirement plans?

Answer 1

A 401(k) is controlled and monitored by an employer, and an IRA is controlled by the investing individual.

Answer 2

The biggest difference is that a 401k plan has a limited set of options, as opposed to an IRA plan that has virtually unlimited choices of investment options. The individual has more control over an IRA plan that a 401k plan. In a 401k plan, there is a plan fiduciary and a plan sponsor, whereas an IRA plan has neither.