Asset Allocation Considerations

For participants that have elected to self-direct investments for the various General Board defined contribution plans [Clergy Retirement Security Program (DC), Horizon 401(k), Retirement Security Program (DC) and United Methodist Personal Investment Plan], there are several considerations that should guide your selection of investment funds. The selection of funds and the amounts to invest in each fund is known as asset allocation. These considerations are:

• your age and the number of years until you expect to retire,
• your financial goals,
• other sources of income and personal investments, and
• your risk tolerance.

The General Board provides participants with no-cost investment advice from Ernst & Young to help with asset allocation decisions. Ernst & Young considers these and other factors when making asset allocation recommendations. You can learn more about the service on our Ernst & Young Financial Planning Services page.

In addition, the General Board’s managed account program known as the LifeStage Investment Management Service (LifeStage) provides a computer-based algorithmic approach for determining each participant’s unique asset allocation. You can learn more about the program on our LifeStage Investment Management Service page.

As you evaluate the performance of your General Board or any other investments you may have, such as mutual funds, consider the following questions:

• How well has the fund performed compared with its stated objective?
• How consistent has the fund’s performance been?
• What was the overall market environment for the period under consideration?
• How well has the fund performed relative to the benchmark that best represents the performance of the asset class (for example, U.S. stocks) in which the fund invests?
• How has the fund performed compared with similar funds offered by other fund providers?
• What are the fund expenses, and how to they compare to the expenses of similar funds offered by other fund providers?
• Participants in LifeStage, may want to compare the performance of their account balances with comparable target date or life style funds offered by various mutual fund companies.