Understanding Asset Allocation: Determining the Optimal Level of Aggressiveness for My 401k

by | Aug 4, 2023 | 401k | 21 comments

Understanding Asset Allocation: Determining the Optimal Level of Aggressiveness for My 401k




If you have ever wondered how aggressive should my 401k be – OR – What is asset allocation? …then you might like this video. Understanding asset allocation and how aggressive your 401k asset allocation should be are important components within the perspective of your overall Financial Plan for retirement.

We do not go into depth within this video about Modern Portfolio Theory, but in a similar way, your 401k asset allocation is just one component within the bigger picture of your total Financial Plan and it does not have to be allocated the exact same way as your other retirement accounts. Each account you create or fund may have a different role for your financial future. As your Financial Life grows and matures over time, you may develop different asset allocation strategies for different accounts.

My wife and I merged all our finances after getting married and each of our individually owned accounts have been combined into our Financial Plan. In this video I share our personal, Very Aggressive asset allocation of nearly all stocks/equities within her 401k. This allocation is intentional and plays an important role within our ‘total portfolio’, but it is not a reflection of our all our accounts/assets.

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How Aggressive Should My 401k be? (Asset Allocation Explained)

When it comes to investing in your 401k retirement account, one of the most crucial decisions you need to make is how aggressive (or conservative) your investment strategy should be. This decision depends largely on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals. This article aims to help you understand the concept of asset allocation and guide you in determining the right approach for your 401k.

Asset allocation is the process of dividing your investment portfolio into different asset classes such as stocks, bonds, and cash. The goal is to balance the risk and return by allocating your investments across these various categories. The primary asset classes in a 401k typically include stocks (equities), bonds (fixed-income securities), and cash equivalents like money market funds.

The general rule of thumb is that the longer your time horizon, the more aggressive your 401k should be. This means you can afford to take on more risk by investing a larger portion in stocks, which historically tend to offer higher returns over the long run. On the other hand, if retirement is just around the corner, you might want to adopt a more conservative approach by allocating a higher percentage to bonds and cash equivalents, which are generally considered less volatile.

A key factor in determining your asset allocation is your risk tolerance. This refers to your ability to handle fluctuations in the value of your investments. If you panic at the thought of your portfolio declining in value and lose sleep over market downturns, you may have a low risk tolerance. In this case, a more conservative allocation with a larger percentage in bonds and cash might be suitable for you. Conversely, if you can withstand short-term market volatility and are comfortable with the potential for larger fluctuations, a more aggressive allocation with a higher percentage in stocks may be appropriate.

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Additionally, your financial goals play a crucial role in determining the level of aggressiveness in your 401k. If you have a significant amount saved for retirement and your goal is to preserve capital and generate steady income, a more conservative approach with a higher allocation to bonds may align with your objectives. However, if you are aiming for substantial growth to build a larger retirement nest egg, a more aggressive allocation with a higher percentage in stocks can help you pursue higher returns over the long term.

It’s important to note that asset allocation is not a one-time decision. As you age and reach different milestones in life, your risk tolerance and financial goals may change. It is recommended to regularly review and adjust your asset allocation, ideally with the help of a financial advisor, to ensure it remains aligned with your evolving circumstances.

In conclusion, determining the level of aggressiveness for your 401k requires careful consideration of factors like your time horizon, risk tolerance, and financial goals. Investing in a diversified mix of asset classes, tailored to your individual circumstances, can help you strike the right balance between risk and return in your retirement account. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach; what works for someone else might not be suitable for you. It’s always best to seek professional advice when making important investment decisions.

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21 Comments

  1. James

    I’m 25 trying to be aggressive as possible. 59% LG cap, 28% international, 9% mid ,4% small. Do you agree with this approach ?

  2. Jen

    Hi great point. I learned a lot today. Like this aggressive portfolio is only a part of financial goals

  3. Maurice Reliford

    I would consider my self conservative

  4. Rob T

    Like the content, glad I found your channel. I am more of a aggressive growth investor into real estate and growth funds, but have 10% as a foundation in secure securities/bonds. My time horizon is 20 to 30 years, is my goal to retire early at 50 or sooner.

  5. Gabe A.

    I’m more confused after watching this.

  6. Ryan Oleary

    Did you do this in your bathroom?

  7. Xander

    I just hold the S&P 500 index fund in my 401k 😀

  8. Jaxon Mx

    Thank you

  9. Yeurys Castillo

    i change it from conservative it was in 50% target date fund and 50% in Fund A allocation i switch it to aggressive 60% larga cap 20% mid cap and 20% small cap

  10. J J

    Aggressive

  11. chris evans

    Man. I just realized 30 percent of my 401k is in stable funds and bonds. I feel like morning star messed that up. I'm only 37.

  12. Angela P.

    I have no 401k yet, but I will start saving into my retirement fund in the next two months….. I’m older, and I’m worried, 35 years old, Is hard as a single mom but I need to start soon. What amount of $ should I start with each paycheck? I was doing the math I can do $208.34 a paycheck, do you suggest more? Should I get a second job? Any advice ? normally my paycheck is $1500 Bi-weekly!!!!! Help, I need advice please

  13. Angela P.

    How come most internet pages assume 12% annual return when talking about 401k ? Is it somewhat accurate? What about few years from now?

  14. Bing bong

    I’m the guy who hates bonds and inflation. I love growth and dividends.

  15. FarmerJon

    I'm 25% in small cap funds, 15% mid cap funds, 15% real estate funds and 45% large cap funds; all of which have a 10+ year or longer history of at least 9% ROI and 1/2 of them at 12%

  16. Natty

    I'm new to looking at my investments and I say I am aggressive to very aggressive. Just changed my 401k to a Roth 401k, opened a Roth IRA and opening an HSA in 2021.

  17. The Cardfolio

    Hey Kyle! It was awesome seeing you on Ryan’s stream last night. Learned a lot from listening to you guys. I use a target date fund as well! Excellent info for 401Ks. Looking forward to following you on your journey!

  18. Fifi Patel

    Great video which I think will be very helpful to get people comfortable with risk considered within a time horizon. Also, the other point is to be aggressive in saving for the pension pot as aggressively as possible, in many cases there is so much free money left on the table either through tax breaks and matching…

  19. Sarah Souverain

    Thanks for this video! I love how you break everything down in a way that I can understand!! 🙂

  20. Jaidan Craig

    Great video! I love how simply you explain everything!

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