# My 401K--in the Trump Era--advice? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [November 12, 2024, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160 "2024-11-12T18:18:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/41 "2024-11-20T15:25:26Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > And I’ve made some needed withdraws, for medical, dental & badly-needed household renovations. > And a condo assessment. Which have nothing to do with the invasion of Ukraine. > [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Various funds in my 401k. Are these international funds? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/42 "2024-11-20T17:33:39Z")
I am currently seeking an IRA, & have shifted into a very inflation-resistant option until then. And yes–I had growth-oriented international funds in my portfolio. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/43 "2024-11-20T18:16:32Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > I am currently seeking an IRA Assuming you’re doing this at Fidelity, this is a very easy process. Opening the account should take 15-20 minutes. You then click on the account, and click on “Transfer” at the top of the screen, and select “transfer ann account to Fidelity”. They’ll prompt you to download a digital copy of your most recent statement from the account you are moving. You then go through their prompts (entering the custodian name, your account number, account type, etc.). The transfer should be complete in 3-5 days. If you have any issues during the process, you call their customer support, and they walk you through it. They have the best support I’ve ever encountered. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/44 "2024-11-20T18:48:05Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Assuming you’re doing this at Fidelity, this is a very easy process. As it so happens, I am in the midst of doing this exact thing: transferring the funds in my former-employer-based 401k to an IRA at Fidelity. I suspect everyone’s situation is different, but in my case, I had to initiate the transfer with my 401k custodian. From Fidelity, I needed the wire transfer instructions and my IRA account number. I sent that, via snail mail, to my custodian yesterday, and hopefully within a week my funds will be in my Fidelity IRA. Once that is done, I have made the decision to let Fidelity manage my money. (I have a significant investment account at Fidelity as well.) Yes, it will cost me an annual fee, but I made the decision in no small part because of the results of the election. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/45 "2024-11-20T19:35:45Z")
Am I correct in assuming that going straight through Fidelity will result in lower fees? Rather than a local investment service, like Woodsmen? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/46 "2024-11-20T19:46:46Z")
Does Woodsman have fees lower than zero? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/47 "2024-11-20T19:54:19Z")
It’s zero fees? You’re CERTAIN? y/n? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/48 "2024-11-20T20:20:57Z")
[Yes](https://www.fidelity.com/retirement-ira/overview?imm_pid=58700000344840986&immid=100724_SEA&imm_eid=ep5441029240&utm_source=GOOGLE&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_account_id=700000001009716&utm_campaign=RET&utm_content=58700000344840986&utm_term=fidelity+ira&utm_campaign_id=100724&utm_id=71700000008282349&&audience=kwd-369902540&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD7OUhLLS5HY-IozGf0CE9MfpaeWB&gclid=CjwKCAiArva5BhBiEiwA-oTnXedXmsIiOEBMApG_rjv8kHUqeXsj_I0Ort60bwUJThIQE5D3OxkPCBoCO7gQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds). 🙄 [And here’s a link to their no-fee ETFs](https://www.fidelity.com/mutual-funds/investing-ideas/index-funds?imm_pid=58700004265124968&immid=100726_SEA&imm_eid=ep35516329211&utm_source=GOOGLE&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_account_id=700000001009773&utm_campaign=MUT&utm_content=58700004265124968&utm_term=fidelity+no+fee+funds&utm_campaign_id=100726&utm_id=71700000009120113&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD7OUhLA58PEvLkv7NHB3S5Zq10w-&gclid=CjwKCAiArva5BhBiEiwA-oTnXVbjIPDR3sqhSbYtpz5plOvpSPTE-wRFTporAt47j8w9GmJkk30T9RoC0fUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds). I am now done doing your homework. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/49 "2024-11-20T20:38:07Z")
Fidelity makes money on these funds somewhere. They have to. They are just doing good works. Are these loss leaders that they figure get your business in for other things you buy that they make more on? Or are there fees hidden in there somewhere! Zero expense ratio without some catch? Hard to believe. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/50 "2024-11-20T20:40:09Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Are these loss leaders that they figure get your business in for other things you buy that they make more on? That’s it exactly. The small offering of zero expense funds is perfectly adequate to put together a bogglehead-approved portfolio. But should you want a little more granularity, you’ll pay a bit more. The link provided shows the other extremely low expense ratios of their other funds, and how they compare to similar Vanguard funds. They’re rock bottom. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/51 "2024-11-20T20:50:35Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > If we were allowed to bet I would bet my social security that Trump won’t kill it. Trump loves having worshippers. His worshippers hate entitlements and think they are entitled to social security without seeing the irony. He will continue to pander to the cult and not piss them off. If something happens to social security it won’t be while Trump is in office. Yeah, I would agree with this. I get so tired of all the takes about “Trump is hoist by his own petard because he made a promise that would alienate his base!” No he’s not. That’s not going to happen. The outcomes are: 1. Trump does the promise, bad things happen, and the base blames someone else (death of Roe). 2. Trump doesn’t do the promise, but claims he did (building the border wall). ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/52 "2024-11-20T20:52:08Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > 70% S&P 500, 10% total bond index (5% yield) and 10% SPHY that’s only 90% total, where is the other 10%, cash? In any event, your equities are a little high for my taste, but that is broadly within the range of reasonable, so whatever you are comfortable with. You might want to split some of those equities into international to get more diversified, maybe 25% or so. You also might want to consider some inflation protected assets, such as TIPS, in place of some of those nominal bonds. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/53 "2024-11-20T20:54:34Z")
yes, and unlike most funds and ETFs, those no-load funds can only be held at Fidelity and cannot be transferred in kind to another brokerage, so you are locked into their ecosystem. Unless you want to sell and realize capital gains (on which taxes will be do of course if we are talking about a taxable brokerage account). ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/54 "2024-11-20T21:01:57Z")
> [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > if we are talking about a taxable brokerage account Xx That’s a good point. But this would be in an IRA for the OP, so not applicable. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/55 "2024-11-20T21:03:53Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > But this would be in an IRA for the OP, so not applicable. yep, agreed. Held within an IRA I see no downside to holding them. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/56 "2024-11-20T21:05:18Z")
The other 10% is in a few random odds and ends. For instance, I worked at a MegaCorp where they gave all 401k matching in company stock. They were sued by a group of employees. They had to stop the practice, but part of the ruling was they had to give all affected employees a payout. Which they did in the form of company stock. I know, right? It’s done well so I’ve kept it. There are a few other things like that. I don’t count my cash in my % allocations. I know it’s aggressive, but I’m greedy 😉 Oh, and when I posted that, I forgot to mention (as I did in another thread) that I recently started putting some in a Russel 2000 index just to diversify away from the Mag 7 a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/57 "2024-11-20T21:06:31Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Fidelity makes money on these funds somewhere. They have to. They are just doing good works. Are these loss leaders that they figure get your business in for other things you buy that they make more on? Or are there fees hidden in there somewhere! That’s one reason my investments are at Vanguard (owned by its customers) rather than Fidelity (a privately owned for-profit company). ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/58 "2024-11-20T21:20:33Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > It’s zero fees? > You’re CERTAIN? > y/n? I use Fidelity. I am very happy with them. Their customer support is amazing, I can always get a US-based person on the phone. And if they’re getting me with hidden fees, I can’t find them. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/59 "2024-11-20T21:39:25Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > That’s one reason my investments are at Vanguard (owned by its customers) rather than Fidelity (a privately owned for-profit company). That _used_ to make a big difference, not as much anymore. Today, you can get good service and good low cost products at a number of full service brokerage firms, and the likes are Schwab, Fidelity, and Vanguard are more or less interchangeable with regard to their services and diversity of low-cost investment options. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160/60 "2024-11-20T21:43:58Z")
Actually, there is one thing that _I believe_ Schwab and Fidelity offer that Vanguard does not; a checking account option with bill pay. If Vanguard offered that, I’d have no more need to hold an account at Citibank, since I could just keep all of my money in one place. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-401k-in-the-trump-era-advice/1010160.md?page=4)