Stock Market
I wish I knew more about that sort of thing. Small cap, large cap, huh? Mutual funds another "huh"? I'm gonna be getting a little bit here in the next couple weeks as my mom passed away last summer and were about to close on the sale of her house (where I grew up and lived til I was 24) I'm now 57 and really don't know what to do other than I want to put it somewhere it won't be "blown" after I do a few improvements to the house I have lived in since 98.
A couple of windows, black top for the driveway, etc. I also have an old 401 from an old job and am tired of seeing the minus signs quarter to quarter and don't really know how to turn those around.
I'm also vested in my current job but can't collect my retirement from there til 67 (if I make it that long) whether I work that long or not.... I have 9-1/2 years to that point.
Hate to say it, fear is the number one inhibitor to gains in the market. Have to educate yourself in the markets and vehicles to invest in. Retirement is usually the first or second largest asset people have and they take zero interest in it. It's a nationwide issue in the US. Partly perpetuated by an industry that just wants to get that easy management fee with zero regard for actual performance.
Move the old 401K to a self directed IRA. There is no tax implication if going from one deferred plan to another. With the last few years of market performance, you should not be seeing any negative numbers with big indexes/stocks holdings.
My friends daughter spoke with an advisor and the suggestion was to put 35-40% in bonds... WTF? Straight out of some stupid book written 30+ years ago. She's 25 years old. Zero reason to have any bonds in a portfolio at that age unless you are already a multi-millionaire wanting stable income from the asset.
I can't stand the "advisor" industry. Most don't beat the market and then charge you for the under-performance. If you can't beat the market, what value are you providing.
My 2 cents, if you budget to live on what you will receive in retirement, this money you got is a kicker. Ladder into the market, 25% at a time. Buy some SP500/QQQ today, set a buy at another level below here for another 25%, two more tranches at other levels. Find a less expensive alternative like SPLG for the SP and get 100 shares. With 100 shares, sell covered calls and buy more shares with the premium. Look on youtube regarding selling covered calls (mike and his whiteboard is excellent, really dry, great info). The shares can be the one you sold the calls on or some other stock/etf.
STAY AWAY from mutual funds, GARBAGE with management fees you don't need to pay. Stick with SPY/QQQ(nasdaq)/IWM(russell 2000) index stuff.