THE BERNARD GROUP 401(K) PLAN Investment Options
Available Funds in THE BERNARD GROUP 401(K) PLAN
Below is the lineup of investment options available to participants in THE BERNARD GROUP 401(K) PLAN. This typically includes a mix of mutual funds, index funds, and collective investment trusts (CITs) — which are pooled investment vehicles custom-built for large retirement plans, often with lower expense ratios than their retail mutual fund equivalents.
When evaluating these options, focus on expense ratios (lower is better), asset class coverage (U.S. stocks, international stocks, bonds, and stable value), and whether low-cost index funds are available. Research consistently shows that low-cost, broadly diversified index funds outperform most actively managed funds over the long term.
| Investment Option List |
|---|
| Principal Trust Company Principal LifeTime Hybrid Income (PHJFX) |
| Principal Trust Company Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2015 (PHJMX) |
| Principal Trust Company Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2020 (PHJTX) |
| Principal Trust Company Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2025 (PHJQX) |
| Principal Trust Company Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2030 (PHJNX) |
| Principal Trust Company Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2035 (PHJJX) |
| Principal Trust Company Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 (PHJEX) |
| Principal Trust Company Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2045 (PHJYX) |
| Principal Trust Company Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2050 (PHJUX) |
| Principal Trust Company Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2055 (PHJBX) |
| Principal Trust Company Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 (PHJGX) |
| Principal Trust Company Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2065 (PLTFX) |
| Principal Trust Company Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2070 (PLKJX) |
| Great Gray Trust Company Large Cap Value R1 (GLLIX) |
| Great Gray Trust Company Mid Cap Growth R1 (MXMGX) |
| Great Gray Trust Company Small Cap Growth Fund II R1 (MXMSX) |
| Great Gray Trust Company Small Cap Value II R1 Fund (MXLSX) |
| Great Gray Trust Company Mid Cap Value R1 (MXMCX) |
| Great Gray Trust Company Core Plus Bond R1 (MXFDX) |
| PGIM High Yield R6 (PHYEX) |
| JanusHenderson Balanced N |
| Vanguard 500 Index Admiral (VFINX) |
| Vanguard Mid Cap Index (VIMSX) |
| Vanguard Small Cap Index (VISVX) |
| Fidelity Emerging Market Index |
| MFS International Diversification (MDIJX) |
| Nuveen International Equity Index (NSIEX) |
| BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities (BHSRX) |
| BNY Mellon Natural Resources (FNARX) |
| Columbia Global Technologoy Growth (CMTFX) |
| DFA Commodity Strategy I (DCMSX) |
| JP Morgan Large Cap Growth Fund (SNIGX) |
| Rates of 4.25% – 9.50% – |
How to Build a Smart Portfolio in Your 401(k)
Your investment lineup is only as good as how you use it. Here are the key steps to building a portfolio that works for your retirement goals:
- Know your risk tolerance and timeline. If you are decades from retirement, you can generally afford more stock exposure. Closer to retirement, you may want to shift toward bonds and stable value for capital preservation.
- Diversify across asset classes. Spread investments across U.S. stocks, international stocks, bonds, and possibly real estate or stable value. This reduces the impact of any single market downturn.
- Favor low-cost index funds. Even a 0.5% difference in annual fees compounds to tens of thousands of dollars over a 30-year career. If your plan offers an S&P 500 index fund or a total stock market index fund at low cost, that is typically a strong core holding.
- Consider a target-date fund if you prefer simplicity. Target-date funds automatically adjust your stock/bond allocation as you approach retirement, making them a solid one-fund solution for hands-off investors.
- Rebalance at least annually. Over time, your portfolio drifts from its target allocation as some assets outperform others. Rebalancing keeps your risk level consistent.
Learn more in our Four-Step Guide for 401(k) Retirement Investing, or use the Asset Allocation Calculator to find the right mix for your age and risk tolerance.
Model Asset Allocation Portfolios
Not sure how to allocate your investments? These model portfolios are built from core, broadly diversified asset classes using ultra-low-cost index funds. Choose a template that matches your risk tolerance, then adapt it to the specific funds available in THE BERNARD GROUP 401(K) PLAN. See Asset Allocation Portfolio Templates for a detailed guide.
| Name | YTD Return | 1Yr AR | 3Yr AR | 5Yr AR | 10Yr AR | 15Yr AR | 20Yr AR | Common | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four Core Asset Portfolio | 4.74% | 18.86% | 12.42% | 5.72% | 8.01% | 7.30% | 6.92% | … | … |
| Five Core Asset Portfolio | 4.70% | 18.79% | 12.38% | 5.55% | 7.97% | 7.19% | 6.94% | … | … |
| Three Core Asset Portfolio | 4.57% | 19.80% | 13.11% | 6.19% | 8.52% | 7.64% | 7.10% | … | … |
| Two Core Asset Portfolio | 3.87% | 19.18% | 13.68% | 6.85% | 9.34% | 8.84% | 7.95% | … | … |
| Yale Endowment Template | 5.35% | 17.45% | 11.87% | 5.56% | 8.33% | 7.96% | 7.55% | … | … |
| S&P 500 Index | 5.96% | 30.43% | 21.65% | 12.98% | 15.09% | 13.73% | 10.93% | … | … |
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Puzzled on what to invest?
- We ask a few questions to decide your personal return and risk expectations
- We build a custom portfolio for your plan (401(k), 403(b), 529 …) or for a brokerage account
- We monitor and send timely rebalance emails on what investment funds to buy and sell
Looking for ideas to generate income?
- ETF or mutual fund income portfolios for 4-7% annual income
- Dividend stock funds
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