Advised 401(k) investors tend to stay the course: Morningstar

Advised 401(k) investors tend to stay the course: Morningstar
During the first quarter volatility, self-directed plan participants were more likely to trade
APR 16, 2020

Amid the first quarter’s market volatility, 401(k) participants who used professional advice to help with their 401(k) plan investing were more likely to sit tight than self-directed investors, research by Morningstar Inc. found.

According to Morningstar, 5.7% of participants enrolled in a 401(k) plan as of Dec. 31 changed their portfolio allocations during the first quarter, although the rate of change varied significantly based on how the participant was invested. Only about 2% of participants in target-date funds and managed accounts changed their portfolios, while more than 10% of participants who self-direct their portfolios made changes.

Participants in professionally managed portfolio options who made a change to their portfolio tended to be older, with longer plan tenures, higher deferral rates, higher salaries, higher balances and more conservative equity allocations. Participants self-directing their accounts who made a change tended to be younger, with lower salaries and lower balances.

Participants closest to retirement made the greatest changes to their portfolios, and they tended to significantly reduce their equity allocation.

The percentage of participants who selected the default investment declined throughout the first quarter, primarily among older participants, Morningstar said in a release.

Latest News

Ex-Texas advisor gets 11 years for Ponzi scheme, Travis Kelce among victims
Ex-Texas advisor gets 11 years for Ponzi scheme, Travis Kelce among victims

Siddharth Jawahar was sentenced 11 years in prison and $31M in restitution for running Swiftarc Capital fraud scheme

HSBC, Citi unveil new high-life and luxury offerings for affluent clients, family offices
HSBC, Citi unveil new high-life and luxury offerings for affluent clients, family offices

Wall Street banks expand wealth services as ultra-high-net-worth client demands extend further above and beyond investment management.

Cerity Partners enters Iowa with Gilbert & Cook deal
Cerity Partners enters Iowa with Gilbert & Cook deal

The acquisition of $2 billion Gilbert & Cook extends a buying spree for the ultra-high-net-worth firm that has already touched six states this year.

The financial industry has a saving problem
The financial industry has a saving problem

After years of encouraging sacrifice and delayed gratification, advisors have to do the next emotional lift: helping clients let go of a potentially harmful scarcity mindset.

Investment accounts fund nearly 7% of US household spending, JPMorgan finds
Investment accounts fund nearly 7% of US household spending, JPMorgan finds

A new JPMorganChase Institute report reveals how deeply stock market wealth now drives everyday American spending, especially for retirees.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income