The More the Better? Characteristics and Efficiency of 401(k) Investment Menus
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Investment menus
Efficiency
Performance
Benchmark indexes
Mean-variance
Diversification
Demography, Population, and Ecology
Family, Life Course, and Society
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Sociology
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Abstract
Few previous studies have explored whether defined contribution retirement saving plans offer sufficiently diversified investment menus, though it is likely that these menus significantly shape workers’ accumulations of retirement wealth. This paper assesses the efficiency and performance of 401(k) investment options offered by a large group of US employers. We show that the majority of plans is efficient compared to market benchmark indexes. Three performance measures underscore the fact that these plans tend to offer a sensible investment menu, when measured in terms of the menus’ mean-variance efficiency, diversification, and participant utility. The key factor contributing to plan efficiency and performance is the particular set of funds offered, rather than the total number of investment options provided. We conclude that, in 401(k) arena, “more” is not necessarily “better.”