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A Better Way to Invest in Your 401(k)?





Morningstar debates the pros and cons of using the self-directed windows in certain 401(k) plans. My employer Microsoft never offered one, and as far as I know, there are many an anger employees. Some even wrote a whitepaper for Bill Gates' think week this spring. For me, I would certain entertain more flexibility in investing our 401(k) balance over $80,000.

From Morningstar:

If your plan sponsor offers a self-directed brokerage window, should you use it? To help answer this question, here are some ideas to keep in mind.

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Good Reasons to Use Self-Directed Brokerage

It could make sense to venture outside your plan if your lineup is fraught with funds with poor long-term records or high expenses. You might be able to find some good choices in your plan, such as an S&P 500 Index fund, and then use your brokerage option to fill out the rest of your portfolio, focusing on those with strong long-term records, experienced management teams, and moderate costs.

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Why You Shouldn't Use Self-Directed Brokerage

Just because you have freedom doesn't mean you have to use it. Despite its availability, I haven't used Morningstar's self-directed brokerage option. Fortunately, Morningstar's fund lineup is rock solid and well diversified, so I don't see any reason to invest outside it. I like to keep my investing life simple, and I'd rather not add to the list of funds that I have to keep tabs on. And if I stick with the funds in Morningstar's plan, it's far easier to dollar-cost average by making regular investments. After setting up my asset allocation, our plan provider does the rest of the work. But to dollar-cost average through my 401(k) plan's brokerage window, I'd have to first transfer money to my money market account every time I'm paid so I could invest just as regularly as I would have had I just stuck with my plan's preexisting options. That's just one logistical hassle I'd rather not deal with.

This post has 2 comments. Read and share your opinions.

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Comments
>>> dclounger Commented on August 6, 2006

That "advice" from Morningstar had no advice to it (at least the quoted portion, I didn't read the artcile). Plus, the quoted article makes no sense. You could just set up a portion of your 401(k) to be invested in your money market fund (the one linked to the self-directed window), and then whatever mutual fund you choose through the self-directed window, you could just set up an automatic investment plan from the money market fund to the mutual fund.

I.E., on the 1st and 15th of every month, $100 goes into the self-directed window money market fund. On the 8th and 23rd (or whenever, I just chose a week after to make sure the employer deposits the money in time), you have $100 automatically invested from the money market to the mutual fund. Done.

So, there is no recurring "logistical hassle" you have to deal with. Morningstar article doesn't have a valid point.


>>> Mary Commented on August 14, 2006

It looks like the "logistical hassle" is close to zero and there is no reason to worry about it. Everything is almost effortless and the reminders and the reminders help you do your job as easy as possible so the self-directed brokerage is as easy as it could possible be.



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