NAPA Net - Polling Places 030218

Have the Markets Moved Your Clients?

At least one major recordkeeper has noted a big uptick in participant trading in the wake of recent market moves – but have you sensed any shifts in the plans you support? Have you rebalanced your account(s)?

As it turns out, the Alight Solutions 401(k) Index™ found http://www.napa-net.org/news/plan-optimization/investment-management-plan-optimization/stock-slump-sends-401k-investors-scurrying/ that 401(k) trading activity has been exceptionally high in recent days, with trading on February 5 almost 12 times the “normal” level of trading. Alight notes that the last time trading occurred at that level was in August 2011, coinciding with the last time the S&P 500 saw its biggest single-day drop.

That uptick was a rarity for trading in the index, which tracks the activity of some 2 million 401(k) participants, and $200 billion in plan assets.

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* 1. Have you sensed an uptick in concerns in the wake of recent market volatility among the plans/participants you support?

Among some, but not most.

Been too busy to notice.

No.

Not really.

Yes, among participants - plan sponsors not so much.

Yes, among plan sponsors - participants not so much.

Yes, it's been pervasive!

Something else (please specify)

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* 2. Have you sensed an uptick in actual movement of account balances in the wake of recent market volatility among the plans/participants you support?

Among some, but not most.

Been too busy to notice.

No.

Not really.

Yes, among participants - plan sponsors not so much.

Yes, among plan sponsors - participants not so much.

Yes, it's been pervasive!

Something else (please specify)

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* 3. Have you done anything special/different in terms of plan or participant communications in the wake of the recent market volatility?

Depends on the plan/participant.

No.

Yes.

Something else (please specify)

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* 4. Have you made any adjustments to your own retirement portfolio in the wake of recent market volatility?

No, I'm in a managed account/target-date fund, so there's been no reason.

No.

Yes, but only because this is when I normally rebalance my account(s).

Yes, moved more into bonds/cash.

Yes, moved more into equities.

Something else (please specify)

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* 5. How often do you (normally) look at your retirement plan investments?

Annually.

Every week.

Monthly.

Not with any specific frequency.

Quarterly.

Something else (please specify)

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* 6. Any other comments about market volatility, rebalancing portfolios, reviewing portfolios regularly, participant moves in response to market volatility, or - life in general?

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* 7. What size plans do you PRIMARILY work with?

Under $10 million in assets

$10-$20 million

$20-$50 million

$50-100 million

$100 million - $250 million

$250 million - $500 million

Above $500 million

Other (please specify)

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* 8. Suggestions for future survey questions?

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* 9. All responses are anonymous and confidential, of course - but if you'd like me to know who you are, or allow for a response, you can leave your email below...