I currently have a 401k through my company. I'm saving nearly the maximum $17,500. While the company matches the first %6.

If I leave in a couple of years I will be %50 vested and my balance will probably be around $40k.

My ideal situation after leaving my job is to make a living working temporary or contract positions. This way I have a lot more time off.

My question is, what would happen with the 401k balance after leaving my job? What if I never contribute anything towards it? Based on my research so far, it seems like the best idea would be to put it into some kind of IRA. If I do that, what does the money in the IRA do as it sits there 30+ years until I reach retirement age?

Does the money that sits around in the IRA gain interest? How much and how in the world do you figure it out?

Thanks in advance for any information.