I have been an investment advisor for over 40 years. Providing investment advice to individual 401(k) participants for the past 25 years.
I’ have the honor of working with talented clients. Most with several years of knowledge and experience withing their industry.
Many of my 401(k) advice clients would have nothing in common with each other. The small business owner does not know much about legal issues. The physician does not know much about what the corporate executive does every day.
But I have noticed a common thread among my best clients. To a person, they are all willing to seek external guidance. They each acknowledge they are not investment management experts. And want help managing their default 401(k) mutual fund menu.
Even my clients with economic degrees. Both undergraduate and graduate. They realize they lack the time, expertise, and experience. To manage their stock and bond market risk levels in a 401(k) retirement plan account.
Here is a short list of the reasons my individual 401(k) advice clients hired me in the first place. To improve their 401(k) investment management decisions.
First, I provide a fresh perspective. On the age-old 401(k) investment management problem. That is, “What do I buy in my 401(k)?”
Regardless of my client’s finance expertise or experience. They are too entrenched in the day-to-day mechanics of their work. And family life. An independent, third-party, fiduciary level perspective is welcome.
No affiliation with the company 401(k) sponsor or provider. I can identify the good and the bad 401(k) mutual funds to own. And why own them.
I have no product to sell. The company 401(k) mutual fund menu is pre-determined. Out of the control of the 401(k) participant. Unbiased, honest analysis. The best way to improve future 401(k) investment management decisions.
Second, my 401(k) advice clients agree. Economic, stock market, and interest rates trends are in a constant state of flux. “Buy-and-hold” has worked for a generation of 401(k) investors. The same 401(k) investment management strategy may be dangerous going forward.
I provide the most sophisticated mutual fund analysis tools available. Explained in common sense terms free of financial jargon. Customized to each default company 401(k) retirement plan menu.
401(k) investors compete every day. With the most sophisticated investment professionals in the financial world. I try to level the playing field for my 401(k) advice clients.
Last, my individual 401(k) advice clients embrace their self-reliance. They want to gain back the total control of their 401(k) investment management decisions. They don’t want to guess what mutual funds to own. And hang on for dear life.
These clients realize they don’t control their company 401(k) provider. Or their menu of default 401(k) mutual fund options. But they can improve their access to analysis and information. From an independent third-party.
Ric Lager
