Financial essentials
Understanding your retirement plan investments
Learn how to choose, monitor and rebalance investments within your employer plan.
Summary
- Employer retirement plans are built for the long term and offer a curated set of investments chosen for this purpose.
- The investments you’ll typically see in your retirement plan could include a default option where your savings are automatically invested, as well as individual investments if you prefer to choose on your own.
- Choosing investments is a personal decision based on your goals, timeline, and comfort with risk. Some employer retirement plans include a managed account option, where a financial professional manages investments on your behalf.
- Monitor and rebalance regularly. Check in at least once a year or when you have a major life event. Rebalance (adjust) when you notice that your investment mix has drifted away from your original plan
- Ask for guidance when you need it. Many plans offer
advice , and you can also talk to your financial advisor.
If you’ve ever logged into your workplace retirement account and felt unsure about what to do next, you’re far from alone. Many people scroll through long lists of investment choices and quietly wonder: Am I supposed to pick one? Should I change something? What if I get it wrong?
The reassuring news is that you don’t need to be an expert to make sound decisions. Workplace retirement plans like 401(k)s and 403(b)s are designed to help you save and invest for the long term. Most plans include options that make it easy to get started, even if you’re not fluent in financial jargon.
By learning a few core concepts and developing a habit of checking in over time, you can invest for retirement with more confidence and less stress.
Employer retirement plans are built for the long term
Workplace retirement plans are designed for one main purpose: to help you build up money you can use later in life.
Because of this long-term focus, retirement investing is different from what you often see on television or social media. Those channels often spotlight what’s called “retail investing,” where people buy and sell stocks (and other things) often based on market trends, headlines, or tips from friends. Retirement plans aren’t designed for quick wins. They’re built for steady progress over many years.
Most employer plans offer a curated menu of investments (called the plan menu) rather than unlimited choices, designed to work well for long-term saving.
Looking to make the most of your employee retirement plan? I've got three tips for you. First up, max out the match. If you are not receiving the match or the contribution from your employer, you're leaving money on the table.
It's free money. They want to give it to you, and it will help you reach your retirement goals by giving you that extra boost.
The second tip give it time. Compounding interest is like a snowball rolling down a hill. It just gets bigger and bigger as that snowball grows. Similarly, your investments do the same thing. So the earlier that you put your money to work, the more it can have that compounding interest and again help you track to your goals. And our third tip put the tax benefits to work.
If you are doing tax deferred or pretax savings you're lowering your taxable income today. It is growing tax deferred. There's no long term capital gains if you're changing your investments.
And then in retirement you can take the money out and pay your taxes then. Keep in mind that most individuals only need about 70% of their current income in retirement. So you might be saving some dollars on the back end as well. Again, those three tips are to max out the match. Give it time and put the tax benefits to work.
The investments you’ll typically see when you log in to your retirement plan
A default investment option
Many plans automatically invest your contributions if you don’t make an active choice—this is called “the default.” The full, legal name is Qualified Default Investment Alternative (QDIA). This pre-selected investment mix comes with legal protections requiring it to be professionally managed and diversified, among other things. One common type of default is an “all-in-one” investment called a target date fund.
A target date fund holds a mix of investments that gradually shift as you approach your expected retirement date (hence the name target date fund), often assuming you’ll retire around age 65 or 67. Over time, the mix of investments becomes more conservative, meaning it’s more focused on keeping your money stable, rather than taking risks and hoping for growth. That’s because as you get closer to retirement you may have less time to bounce back from major
Some default target date funds include
Glossary
Word or phrase |
Definition |
|---|---|
Retail investing
|
Non-professionals buying and selling stocks, bonds and other investments. |
Institutional investing
|
Financial professionals buying and selling stocks, bonds and other investments on behalf of large institutions like businesses, mutual funds and other organizations. |
Plan menu
|
A curated set of investments found in workplace retirement plans, chosen to support long-term goals. |
The default
|
The pre-selected set of investments your money is invested in if you don't choose on your own. Also known as the Qualified Default Investment Alternative (QDIA). |
Target-date fund
|
An "all-in-one" option with a mix of investments that automatically adjusts to become more conservative as you get closer to the "target date" of your retirement. |
Portfolio
|
The collection of all your investments. |
Asset classes
|
Different types of investments. For example, stocks (you may hear them called equities), fixed income (e.g. bonds and annuities) and real estate are different asset classes. |
Brokerage account
|
An account that lets individual retail investors buy and sell on their own. |
Managed account
|
An account where financial professionals manage investments on your behalf. |
Core investment options
Beyond the default investment, most employer plans also offer choices that let you build your own investment mix. Common investment types (also known as “asset classes”) include:
- Mutual funds and collective investment trusts (CITs). These funds pool money from many investors to buy a mix of investments that are managed by a professional. When you invest in a mutual fund or CIT, you’re buying a small piece (called a share) of each investment in the fund.
- Annuities. Retirement annuities are a contract with an insurance company: you contribute to the annuity during your working years, and the company agrees to pay you income during retirement for as long as you live.
- Stocks. Stock represents ownership in companies. It’s like owning a small piece of a company. They aim for growth but can rise and fall more sharply than other investments.
- Bonds. Bonds are essentially loans to companies or governments. They typically carry lower risk than stocks but may grow more slowly.
Optional expanded choices
- Brokerage. Some plans offer an extra feature called a brokerage option (sometimes called a brokerage window). This gives you access to a much larger list of investments beyond the plan’s main menu, similar to what you might find in a personal investing account.
- Managed account. Other plans offer an option called a managed account where a professional manages your money.
Lacking confidence when it comes to your investments. Here are three steps to help you take the bull by the horns. First up. Understand the risk reward tradeoff. Every investment has a trade off. Even cash has risk. But risk is important because it could lead to potential reward and driving your money toward your goals. But if that risk keeps you up at night, that might not be the right mix for you.
So it's important to do your homework. Understand how each investment has that risk and reward, and how to build it into your portfolio. The second tip is to select the right account from an after tax brokerage account to a tax advantaged retirement account, even an IRA. Each account type has different pros and cons. Selecting the right account helps you determine how to put your money to work to get to your goals.
And last but not least, focus on the long term. The markets from day to day can go up and they can go down. They can be a little scary at times, but if you are worried about the markets and you're staying up at night, we don't want that. We want you to focus on the long term and your goals.
Again, you don't have to do this alone. You can seek help right here from TIAA. So to round up our three steps, we have understand the risk reward tradeoff. Select the right account for you and focus on that long term goal. If you'd like more financial tips from TIAA, don't forget to like, share, and subscribe.
Choosing investments is a personal decision
When it comes to
A few factors can help guide your decisions:
Your goals: How much do you want to save?
How much money will you need in retirement? Financial professionals often suggest aiming to replace about 70-90% of your pre-retirement income, though your goals depend on your lifestyle and plans.
Your timeline: When do you think you’ll need this money?
Your current age and expected retirement date matter. The longer your timeline, the more room you may have to ride out the ups and downs of the market. If retirement is closer, protecting what you’ve already saved may feel more important.
Your comfort with risk: Do you feel ok about taking on risk, or would you prefer to avoid it?
Market fluctuations are normal, but your reaction to them matters. Investing can be emotional. If seeing your balance drop makes you anxious, a more conservative approach may suit you. If you can stay focused on long-term growth despite short-term swings, you may tolerate more risk.
Your desire to manage investments: Do you want to be hands-on, or would you prefer professional management?
Whether you want to actively manage your investment is a personal decision. To help decide, consider the following:
- Time: Do you have time to research your options, check in regularly and adjust as necessary?
- Knowledge: Are you confident that you know enough about investing to make choices you feel good about?
- Desire: Do you want to manage your own investments?
If you answered yes to all of the above, selecting your own investments may be the right choice for you.
If you’re unsure you may want to talk to a financial professional or use a
There is no universal “right” answer. What matters is choosing an approach you can stick with.
Life is full of big moments and each one needs a financial game plan. Let's break down the top five life events you should plan for starting today. One. Marriage is about love, and it's also about finances. Start by discussing finances with your partner. Budgeting. Merging accounts and setting joint financial goals. You don't forget to update beneficiaries. Two. Buying a home is a huge milestone.
Make sure you're financially ready by having a solid downpayment and understand your mortgage options. Also, budget for maintenance. Always keep a cash account for those on plan costs. Three kids are amazing and they're expensive. Plan ahead by setting up a savings account, considering life insurance, and starting a college fund like a 529 account. Budget also for ongoing expenses like childcare, health care and education for divorce.
It can be emotionally and financially challenging. Protect yourself by understanding your assets. Updating your will and revising your financial plan. Don't feel like you have to do it alone. Don't hesitate to consult a financial advisor to navigate this transition. Five. Retirement is the ultimate goal. Start by contributing to your retirement accounts early and regularly. Diversify your investments. Plan for health care costs and think about when to start drawing Social Security.
As I tell you, the sooner you start thinking about retirement, the better. Plan for the future today. Life is full of surprises, but your finances don't have to be. Start planning for these events now to secure your financial future. Don't forget to like, share and subscribe for more financial tips from TIAA.
Monitor and rebalance regularly
Once your investments are set, they still need occasional attention. Life changes, and your portfolio should keep pace.
A simple annual review is enough for many people. Ask yourself:
- How much am I contributing today, and do I want to increase my contributions? (Some plans include an “auto-escalate” feature that automatically increases your contributions at regular intervals.)
- Am I still comfortable with how my money is invested?
- Has my retirement timeline changed?
- Have I had any major life events that affect my goals?
In addition to reviewing your account once or twice a year, there are certain moments that deserve extra attention, such as:
- You
changed jobs - You received a significant raise
- You got married, had a child, or experienced another major life change
- You’re within 10–15 years of retirement and want to check your strategy
- You haven’t reviewed your account in several years
What’s next?
Choosing investments for your retirement plan doesn’t have to be complicated. What matters most is getting started, staying consistent, and choosing an approach you can maintain over time.
If you’re not sure where to begin, start today:
- Log in to your retirement account(s) to review your current investments.
- Confirm whether you’re in the plan’s default option. If you’re unsure, ask your workplace’s benefits coordinator.
- Use a planning tool or schedule an advice session to see if your investments and contributions match your goals.
- Review your choices at least once a year or after major life changes.
You don’t need to make perfect decisions to build a strong retirement plan. You just need a clear strategy, steady savings habits, and the confidence to check in occasionally. Over time, those small steps can add up to meaningful progress and help you feel more in control of your financial future.
Let us help you plan for retirement.
When reviewing your retirement plan, you may wonder if you’re contributing the right amount. TIAA offers assistance as part of your plan.
Guidance that’s tailored to you
Retirement Journey Planner can help you save, invest and protect your income in retirement.
A benefit for TIAA participants
Retirement planning help is available as a benefit in most plans – at no additional cost.
This material is for informational or educational purposes only and is not fiduciary investment advice, or a securities, investment strategy, or insurance product recommendation. This material does not consider an individual’s own objectives or circumstances which should be the basis of any investment decision.
Wealth Management Advisors provide Individual Advisory Services on a fee-for-services charge to the employee and are provided by Advice & Planning Services, a division of TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Individual Advisory Services may not be available to all participants.
Financial consultants provide advice and education using an advice methodology from an independent third-party.
Any guarantees under annuities issued by TIAA are subject to TIAA’s claims-paying ability.