Behavioral finance techniques really work in 401(k)s

The best solution, however, requires us to rethink the way we approach the plan itself. Almost since its very inception, the 401(k) plan has been investment-centric. That a whole species of investment advisors specializing in 401(k) plans has evolved only emphasizes this point. The increasing problem, though, has been as investments become more complex, more employees are tuning out their 401(k) plans. Product salesman can regale – and sometimes even confirm – 401(k) plan sponsors to include the latest bells and whistles of alternative investments, annuities or target-date funds, but, to the average employee, that’s all nothing but a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. 

This trend has begun to reverse. We see more and more 401(k) plans adopting the idea of offering a menu of “employee categories” rather than a menu of “investment options.” Sure, in a lot of cases, they contain the same mutual funds (although the total number is well below the industry average). The difference is how the menu is worded. Gone are the catch-phrases of Modern Portfolio Theory (e.g., “asset class,” “style box” or “___-cap” anything) and in are the easy-to-understand personality descriptions like “Do-It-Yourself” and “Do-It-For-Me.” Gone is the concept of “asset allocation” and in is the idea of “aggressive,” “moderate” and “conservative.” 

Again, these new phrases may lead to the same funds, but the end is not the purpose, the journey is. We want more employees to participate – to make the journey. It doesn’t really matter what fund choice they make (well, except for money markets or other fixed income vehicles). The average asset allocation is not very different than the optimal asset allocation in terms of performance. Starting to invest earlier, more often and in greater amounts has a far greater impact on meeting your retirement goal than any particular investment a fiduciary would recommend (and, we all know, only fiduciaries should make those recommendations, but that’s another story).

I’ve seen first-hand the fruits of this new finance – this behavioral finance – reap benefits for companies using it. If you’d like to see a real-life example of a new improved 401(k) investment menu, you can find it here “Adding Categories: A Sample of a New and Improved 401(k) Investment Option Menu,” FiduciaryNews.com, June 6, 2013). Go ahead. Use it. If you like it, you can thank me by buying my book.