Should You Let Your 401(k) Be Managed by Vanguard? (2024)

In 2018, the Vanguard Group, the behemoth Malvern, Pa.-based registered investment advisor, finally surpassed Fidelity Investments as the leader in 401(k) assets under management (AUM), with a staggering $6.2 trillion under its watch. Vanguard’s success is largely attributed to the popularity of its low-cost index funds, coupled with its full-service 401(k) management desk.

Indeed, according to a book by John Bogle—who created the first indexed mutual fund in 1975 after he established the Vanguard Group and who died In January 2019 at age 89—the success of index funds will likely result in just a handful of money management firms controlling half of all U.S. stocks. In Vanguard’s case, its one-stop shopping has attracted retirement plan sponsors in droves.

Key Takeaways

  • In 2022, the Vanguard Group is the top investment manager in terms of assets under management, with $8.5 trillion under its banner.
  • Vanguard is primarily known for its vast selection of low-cost index funds.
  • According to a survey, plan sponsors gave Vanguard top marks in the areas of investment performance, website and online services, fund transaction fees, problem resolution, investment options, and fee transparency.

Vanguard 401(k) Plan Services

Through its Institutional Investor Group, Vanguard offers an array of 401(k) management services, ranging from plan design and analytics to investment management oversight. Plan sponsors are assigned a client relationship manager, who provides day-to-day support on all aspects of plan management.

Furthermore, Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) consultants are readily available to handle regulatory and compliance issues that may arise. Finally, Vanguard’s portfolio review department works closely with plan sponsors to vet and continuously monitor external fund managers.

Vanguard has invested heavily in its back-office systems to provide cutting-edge plan administration and record-keeping services. As a result, clients greatly benefit from more streamlined procedures that lower their costs and pinpoint areas for potential plan participation improvement.

In a study by marketing consultancy Cogent Reports, plan participants rated Vanguard highest in overall satisfaction.

How Is Vanguard Doing in 401(k) Management Services?

According to a study by marketing consultancy Cogent Reports, plan participants rated Vanguard the highest in overall satisfaction and specifically ranked it first in the following categories:

  • Investment performance
  • Website and online services
  • Fund transaction fees
  • Problem resolution
  • Breadth of investment options
  • Fee transparency
  • Enrollment meetings

When plan sponsors were asked to assess their overall satisfaction with their plan provider, 83% of Vanguard clients expressed the highest contentment with their services. Meanwhile, the average plan provider satisfaction rate was just 62%. The survey also found that Vanguard ranked first in the following areas:

  • Accuracy and timeliness of the transaction process
  • Plan administration support
  • Form 550 filing support
  • Quality of investment options
  • Fund expense ratios
  • Quality and clarity of fee disclosure information
  • Transparency of fees
  • Plan administration fees

Plan sponsors hold the fiduciary responsibility of ensuring that investment management fees are reasonable, based on the services provided. According to Forbes, in 2022 they rated Vanguard Digital Advisor the Best IRA Account in 2022 for Hands-Off Investors.

Should You Let Your 401(k) Be Managed by Vanguard? (2024)

FAQs

Should I let Vanguard manage my investments? ›

**Cost Savings:** Managing your own portfolio may be more cost-effective as you won't be paying for advisory fees. Vanguard is known for its low-cost index funds, making it attractive for DIY investors. 2. **Control and Flexibility:** Managing your own portfolio gives you full control over your investment decisions.

Is Vanguard a good 401k provider? ›

Because of their low cost structure and high quality, Vanguard funds are a great choice for retirement investing. March 14, 2024, at 3:01 p.m.

Is a Vanguard managed account program worth it? ›

Q: Is the Vanguard Managed‍ Account Program worth it? A: Yes, the Vanguard Managed Account program can be a great way to grow your‍ financial portfolio. With the help of financial professionals, you can gain access to a wide variety of investments and strategies that can help you reach your long-term financial goals.

Should I let my 401k be managed? ›

Hiring a financial adviser to manage your 401(k) account can be a wise investment in your financial future. They can help you maximize your 401(k) and achieve your overall financial goals by providing personalized investment advice, improved long-term performance and comprehensive financial planning.

Why are investors pulling money from Vanguard? ›

When the market cratered, investors withdrew $16.4 billion from Vanguard's index mutual funds. What accounts for remaining index mutual fund outflows? Johnson says it could be clients pulling out money because they're retiring, or because they're negatively affected by the pandemic.

Is it safe to keep all my money in Vanguard? ›

Rest easy knowing the cash in your Vanguard Cash Plus bank sweep is eligible for FDIC coverage up to $1.25 million for individual accounts and $2.5 million for joint accounts. You can keep all your money in the bank sweep or diversify into 5 available Vanguard money market funds (each with a $3,000 minimum investment).

What are the cons of Vanguard? ›

Cons
  • Options commissions.
  • Only offers fractional share investing on Vanguard ETFs.
  • Active trading platform isn't as robust as competitors.
Mar 28, 2024

How much does Vanguard charge to manage 401k? ›

We charge $20 a year for each fund held in a Vanguard Individual 401(k) account. We'll waive the fee for all participants in the plan if at least one participant has at least $50,000 in qualifying Vanguard assets.

Is Vanguard or Fidelity better for 401k? ›

Both Vanguard and Fidelity are retirement powerhouses — their proprietary mutual funds line many 401(k)s, and Fidelity is a leading 401(k) record-keeper. (View our list of the best IRA accounts.) But Fidelity also caters to active traders, with robust trading platforms and tools.

How much does Vanguard charge to manage an account? ›

Vanguard Brokerage Services charges a $25 annual account service fee. We don't charge the fee to any of the following: Clients who have an organization or a trust account registered under an employee identification number (EIN).

What are the cons of managed account? ›

In terms of transactions, managed accounts may be slower. For example, a full investment may get delayed because the client has not provided the full amount of money needed. In contrast, mutual funds transactions are way faster since assets may be bought and redeemed daily, as desired.

How do I get out of a Vanguard managed account? ›

You may cancel your participation in the Program at any time by calling a Managed Account specialist. Unless otherwise agreed upon by a sponsor and Vanguard, Edelman Financial Engines' Series 65 licensed advisors will make outcalls to program participants to have discussions about the services available to them.

Should I move my 401k to a financial advisor? ›

Consolidating your retirement money in one place is a good idea, and bringing a financial advisor into the mix may be an even better move. Just understand that if you've got money to be managed, you're a hot commodity for both scrupulous advisors and unscrupulous ones.

What is the best way to manage your 401k? ›

8 Tips for Managing Your 401(k)
  1. Take Advantage of Your Employer Match. ...
  2. Consider Your Circ*mstances Before Contributing the Max. ...
  3. Understand Your 401(k) Investment Options. ...
  4. Stay the Course. ...
  5. Change Your Investments Over Time. ...
  6. Find — And Keep — Your Balance. ...
  7. Diversify. ...
  8. Beware Early Withdrawals.

Should I move all my 401k to money market? ›

Can You Stop Your 401k From Losing Money? In a down market, you could transfer all of your holdings to cash or money market funds, that are safe but provide little to no return. This, however, is not often advised (unless you are already nearing retirement).

Is it worth it to have someone manage your investments? ›

If you have less than $50,000 of liquid assets then you may also want to consider going at it on your own as the fees might not be worth it. With that said, financial advisors can bring a wealth of information and experience to the table that can make a huge difference in your potential return.

Is it better to manage your own investments? ›

But in the personal finance world, this fact—that you're likely better off investing on your own rather than paying another human being 1% of your net worth to do it for you—is not really disputed. It's becoming accepted as the truth.

Are my assets safe at Vanguard? ›

Securities in your brokerage account are held in custody by Vanguard Brokerage, a division of Vanguard Marketing Corporation (VMC). VMC is a member of SIPC, which protects securities customers of its members up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for claims for cash).

Should I manage my own investments? ›

While there is a small minority of people who are relatively successful as self-managers, the majority negatively impact their overall financial portfolio and underperform the market. The right financial professional can support your investment objectives and work with you on every facet of your financial life.

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