re: Company being bought out, forced to roll 401k to new companies plan

It is a plan merger. You will not have the option to roll into an IRA. There is no qualifying event that lets you do a rollover as you will transfer over your vesting and should be credited with years of service at your past employer.

You may want to check the specifics of the new plan. Some plans allow for in-service distributions (or rollovers) on elective deferrals and rollover contribution at any age. If you have any pull at the new company you request that the plan be amended to allow this to happen. The fee for amendment varies depending on the provider and TPA. Between $65 and $650 (if a crappy company).