Participants in 401(k) plans might feel restricted by the narrow slate of mutual fund offerings available to them. And within individual funds, investors have zero control to choose the underlying stocks, which are selected by mutual fund managers.
Fortunately, many companies offer self-directed orbrokerage window functions that give investors the option to manage their 401(k) plans for themselves. But there are both pros and cons to taking the do-it-yourself route.
Key Takeaways
- Many companies offer self-directed or brokerage window functions that allow for self-managed 401(k) plans.
- Self-directed plans provide access to a wider array of investments, including non-traditional assets like real estate.
- The broader investment choices may invite unforeseen tax consequences.
The Pros of Managing Your Own 401(k) Plan
Pros
More investment options
Higher quality investments
Use your own investing acumen
Cons
Higher fees
Labor-intensive research
Lack of liquidity/transparency
More Choices
Self-directed plans offer more investment choices. In addition to mutual funds, portfolios may include exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual stocks and bonds, plus non-traditional assets like real estate.
“When you go the self-directed route, you are no longer tied to the 15-18 set investment options of your 401(k) plan,” saysJohn P. Daly, CFP®, president, Daly Investment Management, LLC, inMount Prospect, Illinois. “You can purchase just about any stock, ETF, or mutual fund available on the custodian’s platform. This can be very beneficial, especially if your plan has limited investment options or low-quality investment options.”
Quality
Instead of a limited number of mutual funds, brokerage windows offer a substantially wider array of choices, letting investors be more discriminating in their selection process.
Experience
Those with investment knowledge and skills can put their experience to the test. This can be a major advantage when compared to traditional 401(k) management.
Discipline
A disciplined investor who maintains their composure during market volatility can exploit opportunities available in a self-directed 401(k). This gives them a leg up over mutual funds managed by someone else.
Non-Traditional Investment Options
Self-directed 401(k) investors can incorporate real estate assets and other non-traditional investments into their portfolios, which can potentially provide extraordinary earning opportunities. These options aren’t available to regular 401(k) investors.
The Cons
There are many potential downsides to managing your own investments.
Rules
Among the plethora of choices available under self-directed 401(k)s, some will inevitably be off-limits due to regulations from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which prohibits certain types of investments. Those unfamiliar with these regulations may run into trouble and encounter severe tax consequences, as a result.
Fees
Self-investors who stray beyond mutual funds, or who trade stocks too frequently, may find themselves saddled with exorbitant fees that can potentially wipe out most—if not all—of their gains.
If you choose to have a self-directed 401(k), it’s imperative that you know the IRS regulations about which investments are not allowed.
Inexperience
Less experienced investors may miss nuances that a professional manager and a financial advisor will catch.
"The biggest bonus to having a self-directed option is the ability to control the expense ratios within each individual investment,” says David S. Hunter, CFP®, president of Asheville, North Carolina-based Horizons Wealth Management, Inc. “However, this opens up thousands of investment options, and there is always the chance that an investor will be paralyzed by options and may not participate as much as one would with a set-it-and-forget-it 401(k) plan.”
Lack of Liquidity and Transparency
Some non-traditional investments lack transparency and liquidity, which may restrict investors from easily buying and selling their positions. This can be a rude awakening to those accustomed to the ease of dealing with traditional stocks and bonds.
“The downside of managing your own 401(k), beyond the additional fees, is you potentially becoming your own worst enemy,” says Mark Hebner, founder and president ofIndex Fund Advisors, Inc., in Irvine, California, and author of Index Funds: The 12-Step Recovery Program for Active Investors.
“Many investors who do not work with a professional wealth advisor often allow short-term market movements to dictate their long-term investment strategy," Hebner adds. "This approach can potentially cause disastrous long-term effects during very turbulent times.”
Investors in self-directed plans should be sure to diversify their stock holdings, to build downside risk protection into their portfolios.
What's the Difference Between a Self-Directed 401(k) and a Self-Directed IRA?
In addition to the self-directed 401(k), the IRS also provides the option of a self-directed individual retirement account (IRA). The pros and cons are similar. One major difference is the vastly higher contribution limit with self-directed 401(k)s.
Secondly, self-directed 401(k) plans allow loans, although they may be difficult to obtain. Finally, IRAs require a trustee.
Lastly, if you're into trading derivatives, such as equity options, regulations prohibit those types of transactions in a 401(k), but they are permissible, with certain restrictions, in a self-directed IRA.
How Much Can I Contribute to an IRA?
The annual contribution limit for an individual retirement account (IRA) in 2024 is $7,000 if you're under 50 years old. If you're 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution for 2024. For 2023, those numbers are $6,500 and $1,000, respectively.
How Much Can I Contribute to a 401(k)?
If you're under 50 years old, the most you can contribute to a 401(k) in 2024 is $23,000. For 2023, it's $22,500. If you're 50 or older, you can contribute an additional catch-up contribution of $7,500 for 2024 and 2023.
The Bottom Line
Managing your own portfolio may afford you a broader array of investment options. But there are also added complexities when it comes to fees, liquidity, and other elements. Those who take the self-directed plunge should take the time to learn the tools available to help smooth out the process. And don't forget that a 401(k) isn't your only option for retirement saving: there are IRAs and even taxable brokerage accounts, as well.
