UCAR RETIREMENT PLAN Investment Options
Available Funds in UCAR RETIREMENT PLAN
Below is the lineup of investment options available to participants in UCAR RETIREMENT 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 Description |
|---|
| Vanguard Institutional Index |
| Nuveen International Responsible Equity |
| Nuveen Large Cap Responsible Equity |
| JP Morgan Large Cap Growth |
| Vanguard Small Cap Value Index |
| MFS Value |
| Nuveen Lifecycle Index 2050 |
| Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index |
| Nuveen Lifecycle Index 2045 |
| Nuveen Lifecycle Index 2030 |
| Nuveen Lifecycle Index 2040 |
| Nuveen Lifecycle Index 2035 |
| American EuroPacific Growth |
| Nuveen Lifecycle Index 2055 |
| DFA US Sustainability Core |
| Nuveen Lifecycle Index 2025 |
| Nuveen Lifecycle Index 2020 |
| Nuveen Lifecycle Index 2060 |
| TIAA-CREF Self Directed Account |
| Conestoga Small Cap |
| TIAA-CREF Core Impact Bond |
| HAW Small Cap Diversified Value |
| Nuveen Lifecycle Index 2010 |
| Nuveen Lifecycle Index 2015 |
| DFA Global Sustainability Fixed Income |
| DFA World Ex U.S Value |
| DFA International Small Company Portfolio |
| DFA International Sustainability Core |
| Nuveen Lifecycle Index 2065 |
| TIAA Traditional Non Benefit Responsive |
| TIAA Traditional Non Benefit Responsive 2 |
| CREF Stock |
| CREF Growth |
| CREF Social Choice |
| CREF Global Equities |
| CREF Equity Index |
| CREF Core Bond |
| CREF Inflation-Linked Bond |
| TIAA Traditional Benefit Responsive |
| TIAA Traditional Benefit Responsive 2 |
| TIAA Plan Loan Default |
| Rates Ranging from 4.25% to 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 UCAR RETIREMENT 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% | … | … |
Get Key Insights for This Plan
Join our community and get data-driven insights about UCAR RETIREMENT PLAN. See how it compares to peer companies in fees, match generosity, and investment quality as soon as our new ranking reports go live.
Notify Me When Ratings Go LiveExplore More Plan Resources
Recent Articles
- Delta’s 401(k): 9% Employer Contribution, 367 Funds, and a Smart Auto-Escalation Design
- Providence Health’s 100% Match on 6% and $600M Pay Raise: What Employees Need to Know
- Meta’s 401(k): 50% Match, Immediate Vesting, and $670M on the Table
- Making Sense of Mixed Signals
- Nike’s 401(k) Match Is Dollar-for-Dollar, Even When the Swoosh Is Struggling
- Tesla 401(k) Review: 50% Match Up to $3,000 — Is That Enough for TSLA Employees?
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
- Passive real estate investments
- more …
Portfolio Calculator (Simulator)
Customize Asset Allocation Portfolios
Retirement Calculator
Investment Calculator
Looking for a (forgotten) 401(k)?
Find plan contact info, plan expenses, investment options, rollover your old plan, or learn how to select investments on your 401k plan …
Keep researching UCAR RETIREMENT PLAN
Use the links below to move from this plan page into calculators, related retirement articles, and comparable plans in a similar industry or size band. That gives you a faster way to compare match design, fees, investments, and savings strategy in context.
Related Calculators
Related Plans
- FORDHAM UNIVERSITY FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATIVE RETIREMENT PLAN (4,562 participants, $419,204,143)
- EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY DC PLAN (4,587 participants, $367,016,973)
- TULANE UNIVERSITY FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATIVE 403(B) RETIREMENT PLAN (4,491 participants, $672,607,791)
- ASSOC OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OF OHIO MEP (4,604 participants, $480,389,543)
- RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN OF FATHER FLANAGAN'S BOYS' HOME (4,620 participants, $383,520,924)