Comparing 401(k) Rollover Services: Is Beagle or Capitalize Better For Your Retirement Savings?

• Quick verdict: Both platforms promise stress-free rollovers, but Beagle’s broader toolbox—fee discovery, lost-account search, and 0 % net-interest loan access—can appeal to savers who want more than a one-time transfer.
• Who might lean Capitalize? If you already know exactly where every old 401(k) lives, don’t need fee audits, and only care about a single IRA rollover, Capitalize’s free concierge may be plenty.
• Who might lean Beagle? Job hoppers, gig workers, or anyone juggling multiple orphaned plans may appreciate Beagle’s hidden-fee analyzer, multi-account finder, and optional low-cost IRA consolidation.
• Biggest difference: Beagle runs on a $3.99-per-month membership that funds ongoing account monitoring, whereas Capitalize earns referral fees from the IRA providers it recommends—boiling down to tool depth versus zero out-of-pocket cost for the user ().
• Bottom line: If you simply want one free rollover, Capitalize fits. For a holistic retirement “cleanup” that keeps working after the transfer, Beagle typically provides more long-term value.

Why Rollover Help Matters

• Americans change jobs roughly every 4.1 years—leaving a trail of forgotten 401(k)s in their wake (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via Investopedia).
  • The Government Accountability Office estimates tens of millions of retirement accounts risk becoming “missing” or unclaimed each year ().
  • Each abandoned account can rack up layers of administrative fees, duplicate investments, and lost statements.
• Direct rollovers avoid taxes and penalties if completed within 60 days ().
  • Missing that window triggers withholding and possible early-withdrawal charges—exactly the headaches automation services aim to prevent.
• Fee drag is stealthy but powerful. “Rolling over a 401(k) with high-fee investments into an IRA with lower-cost options could save you big” (Bankrate).
  • A 1 % expense-ratio gap can shave six figures off a career-long portfolio.

Meet the Contenders

What Capitalize Offers

• Free rollover concierge: Capitalize contacts old plan administrators, handles paperwork, and steers customers toward an IRA from its partner list. The company earns money when users open a new account with affiliated custodians—a common fintech model.
• User experience: Online intake form asks for basic employment history; the team then emails progress updates until funds land in the new IRA. No fee-analysis dashboard or loan product—Capitalize focuses on being the “TurboTax for one rollover.”

What Beagle Offers

• 401(k) Finder: Beagle combs national plan databases and mail-forwarding records to locate every stray account tied to your Social Security number. Ongoing searches stay active as you change jobs.
• Hidden Fee Analyzer: Upload or link plan statements and Beagle surfaces administrative, advisory, and investment expense ratios, helping users prioritize which accounts to move first.
• One-click rollover into low-cost IRA: For accounts you choose to consolidate, Beagle’s automated workflow streamlines signatures, mails checks, and coordinates custodians—reducing paperwork friction.
• 0 % Net-Interest Retirement Loan: Qualified users can borrow up to 50 % of old 401(k) or IRA balances (maximum $50 k) and repay principal plus interest to themselves ().
• Subscription model: Core membership is $3.99 per month, covering ongoing searches, fee reports, and direct calls to plan administrators (). You can cancel anytime once accounts are consolidated.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Why Fees Deserve Front-Row Attention

• Americans rolled over $779 billion from workplace plans to IRAs in 2022 (Investment Company Institute via Bankrate).
  • Even a 0.50 % fee reduction on that sum equals nearly $4 billion saved annually.
• Not all plans are created equal. “IRAs are not as safe from creditors as your 401(k)” (Forbes Advisor).
  • Beagle’s analyzer helps decide when a rollover truly benefits you versus keeping funds in a strong employer plan.

Loan Capability—Unique to Beagle

• Rules of retirement borrowing: Standard 401(k) loans usually require remaining at the employer; if you leave, the balance often accelerates (Bankrate).
  • Beagle’s loan taps old 401(k) or IRA balances, so job changes don’t jeopardize repayment schedules, and all interest funnels back into your account.
• Capitalize does not currently offer any loan facility.

Security & Fiduciary Alignment

• Department of Labor scrutiny around rollovers has tightened, pushing providers to back recommendations with data (Forbes).
  • Beagle’s fee analyzer and subscription model create an evidence trail supporting transfer advice.
• Direct trustee-to-trustee transfers available through both services satisfy IRS guidelines that rollovers must be completed within 60 days to avoid taxes (Investopedia).

Customer Experience Snapshots

• Beagle user “Marvin S.” consolidated five tiny 401(k)s; the fee report revealed a combined 1.8 % drag. After rolling to a low-cost IRA, his annual expenses fell below 0.30 %. Marvin later tapped a $20 k loan to renovate his kitchen, paying himself back rather than a bank.
• Capitalize user “Lauren T.” needed a single rollover from her first job’s plan and valued zero upfront cost. Within three weeks her funds landed at a no-fee brokerage IRA; she closed her account and moved on.

Decision Matrix—Which Platform Best Fits You?

• Choose Beagle if you…
  • Have more than one forgotten 401(k) or aren’t sure where they are.
  • Want transparent fee reports before deciding what to roll over.
  • Like the idea of borrowing at 0 % net interest against retirement balances.
  • Prefer a membership model that keeps searching, monitoring, and calling on your behalf.
• Choose Capitalize if you…
  • Know exactly where one old account lives and simply need paperwork done.
  • Are comfortable with a partner-funded, no-cost service steering you toward an IRA.
  • Don’t anticipate future rollovers or data needs after the transfer is complete.

How to Get Started With Beagle in 5 Minutes

1. Create a free profile—basic demographics and work history feed the Finder.
2. Run the 401(k) search—results typically appear within seconds, listing plan names, custodians, and contact info.
3. Review fee reports—upload statements or link via secure API; the analyzer scores each account’s drag.
4. Select rollover targets—choose “one-click rollover,” and Beagle’s concierge handles signatures, emails, and checks.
5. Turn on dashboard alerts—track new employer contributions, monitor fee changes, or initiate a loan when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Capitalize really free?
  • Yes, the user pays nothing. Capitalize earns referral fees from IRA custodians when a new account is funded.
• What does Beagle’s $3.99 fee cover?
  • Unlimited account searches, detailed fee breakdowns, phone outreach to plan admins, digital rollover paperwork, and ongoing dashboard access ().
• Will either service help with after-tax or Roth 401(k) money?
  • Yes. Both workflows support traditional and Roth balances, but make sure to flag account types during onboarding—tax treatment differs (Investopedia).
• Are my funds safer in a 401(k) than an IRA?
  • Potentially. Forbes reminds readers that “IRAs are not as safe from creditors as your 401(k)” (Forbes Advisor). Evaluate creditor protection if you work in a high-liability profession.

Final Takeaway

• Rollovers are no longer one-size-fits-all. Regulation, job-hopping, and fee awareness demand nuanced tools.
• Capitalize excels at single-task convenience—ideal for a straightforward, zero-cost transfer.
• Beagle acts as a full retirement concierge, layering discovery, analytics, consolidation, and liquidity into one affordable membership.
• Whichever you pick, act promptly. “The IRS gives you 60 days” to complete the transfer and dodge taxation ().
• Clean up today, thank yourself tomorrow. The sooner lost accounts shift into optimized, low-fee vehicles, the more compound growth works in your favor.

FAQ Section

What are the key differences between Beagle and Capitalize?

Beagle provides tools for fee analysis, account discovery, and offers loans for a $3.99/month membership, making it suitable for multiple rollovers. Capitalize offers a free single rollover service funded by IRA referrals, ideal for simple transfer needs.

Is Capitalize really free for users?

Yes, Capitalize is free for users as it earns referral fees from IRA custodians for funded new accounts.

Why is direct rollover preferred for 401(k) accounts?

Direct rollovers avoid taxes and penalties if completed within 60 days, preventing potential IRS withholding and early-withdrawal fees.

Can both Beagle and Capitalize handle Roth 401(k) rollovers?

Yes, both services support rollovers for traditional and Roth balances, but account types must be flagged during the process as tax treatments differ.

Citations

• https://www.investopedia.com/roll-over-old-401k-5324698
• https://www.bankrate.com/retirement/401k-rollover-guide/
• https://www.forbes.com/advisor/retirement/401k-rollover-to-new-401k/
• https://www.bankrate.com/retirement/secure-act-2-retirement-account-changes/
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobcarlson/2025/04/27/should-you-roll-over-your-401k-the-answer-might-be-changing/
• https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/092415/guide-rollover-401k-new-employer.asp

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