You can transfer your 401(k) to an account that will allow you to buy individual shares I did that and bought as many shares as I could in a blue chip tech company. Glad I did because if I had stayed in one of those so called index (all for one) funds my rate of return would’ve been very, very small over the years.

The managers ofsuch funds are lazy and invest in multiple mediocre companies, most of whom produce mediocre returns for example investing in 10 tech companies when only two or three of the companies actually accomplish anything won’t help you in the long-term.

Investing in one or two really good tech companies over time allowed me to retire early.

they typically offer a brokerage option. fidelity and vanguard both offered this when I had them. if that wasn't on the table I'd roll it into something that gave me flexibility.

I certainly can't buy individual shares in my 401k program. And very, very few programs I'm aware of ever offered that as an option.

You can have a 401(k) without your employer. My wife has one and can buy and sell any stocks she wants.