TIAA CODE SECTION 401(K) PLAN Investment Options
Available Funds in TIAA CODE SECTION 401(K) PLAN
Below is the lineup of investment options available to participants in TIAA CODE SECTION 401(K) PLAN. This typically includes a mix of mutual funds, index funds, and collective investment trusts (CITs) — which are pooled investment vehicles custom-built for large retirement plans, often with lower expense ratios than their retail mutual fund equivalents.
When evaluating these options, focus on expense ratios (lower is better), asset class coverage (U.S. stocks, international stocks, bonds, and stable value), and whether low-cost index funds are available. Research consistently shows that low-cost, broadly diversified index funds outperform most actively managed funds over the long term.
| Investment Description |
|---|
| CREF STOCK R3 |
| CREF MONEY MARKET R3 |
| CREF SOCIAL CHOICE R3 |
| CREF GLOBAL EQUITIES R3 |
| CREF GROWTH R3 |
| CREF EQUITY INDEX R3 |
| CREF INFLATION-LINKED BOND R3 |
| CREF CORE BOND R3 |
| CREF STOCK R4 |
| CREF GLOBAL EQUITIES R4 |
| CREF CORE BOND R4 |
| CREF GROWTH R4 |
| CREF MONEY MARKET R4 |
| CREF SOCIAL CHOICE R4 |
| TIAA-CREF CORE PLUS BOND-INST |
| TIAA-CREF HIGH-YIELD-INST |
| TIAA-CREF LG-CAP GR-INST |
| VANGUARD EXPLORER ADM |
| TIAA-CREF SHORT-TERM BOND-INST |
| JPMORGAN EQUITY INC FD CLA R6 |
| TIAA-CREF SOCIAL CH EQ-INST |
| VANGUARD FEDERAL MONEY MKT INV |
| BLACKROCK U. S. DEBT INDEX FUND |
| BLACKROCK EQUITY INDEX FUND |
| BLACKROCK MID CAP EQUITY INDEX |
| BLACKROCK RUSSELL 2000 INDEX FUND |
| BLACKROCK STRATEGIC COMPLETION |
| ALLIANCE BERNSTEIN US SMALL AND MID |
| SCHRODERS INTERNATIONAL MULTI-CAP |
| WELLINGTON INTERNATIONAL |
| OPPORTUNITIES SERIES 1 PORTFOLIO |
| BLACKROCK MSCI ACWI EX-U. S. |
| TIAA-SELF-DIRECTED ACCT SELF-DIRECTED BROKERAGE ACCOUNT |
| TIAA REAL ESTATE SEPARATE ACCOUNT POOLED SEPARATE ACCOUNT |
| TIAA TRADITIONAL ANNUITY BENEFIT TIAA TRADITIONAL GSRA |
| TIAA TRADITIONAL ANNUITY BENEFIT TIAA TRADITIONAL RCP |
How to Build a Smart Portfolio in Your 401(k)
Your investment lineup is only as good as how you use it. Here are the key steps to building a portfolio that works for your retirement goals:
- Know your risk tolerance and timeline. If you are decades from retirement, you can generally afford more stock exposure. Closer to retirement, you may want to shift toward bonds and stable value for capital preservation.
- Diversify across asset classes. Spread investments across U.S. stocks, international stocks, bonds, and possibly real estate or stable value. This reduces the impact of any single market downturn.
- Favor low-cost index funds. Even a 0.5% difference in annual fees compounds to tens of thousands of dollars over a 30-year career. If your plan offers an S&P 500 index fund or a total stock market index fund at low cost, that is typically a strong core holding.
- Consider a target-date fund if you prefer simplicity. Target-date funds automatically adjust your stock/bond allocation as you approach retirement, making them a solid one-fund solution for hands-off investors.
- Rebalance at least annually. Over time, your portfolio drifts from its target allocation as some assets outperform others. Rebalancing keeps your risk level consistent.
Learn more in our Four-Step Guide for 401(k) Retirement Investing, or use the Asset Allocation Calculator to find the right mix for your age and risk tolerance.
Model Asset Allocation Portfolios
Not sure how to allocate your investments? These model portfolios are built from core, broadly diversified asset classes using ultra-low-cost index funds. Choose a template that matches your risk tolerance, then adapt it to the specific funds available in TIAA CODE SECTION 401(K) PLAN. See Asset Allocation Portfolio Templates for a detailed guide.
| Name | YTD Return | 1Yr AR | 3Yr AR | 5Yr AR | 10Yr AR | 15Yr AR | 20Yr AR | Common | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four Core Asset Portfolio | 4.74% | 18.86% | 12.42% | 5.72% | 8.01% | 7.30% | 6.92% | … | … |
| Five Core Asset Portfolio | 4.70% | 18.79% | 12.38% | 5.55% | 7.97% | 7.19% | 6.94% | … | … |
| Three Core Asset Portfolio | 4.57% | 19.80% | 13.11% | 6.19% | 8.52% | 7.64% | 7.10% | … | … |
| Two Core Asset Portfolio | 3.87% | 19.18% | 13.68% | 6.85% | 9.34% | 8.84% | 7.95% | … | … |
| Yale Endowment Template | 5.35% | 17.45% | 11.87% | 5.56% | 8.33% | 7.96% | 7.55% | … | … |
| S&P 500 Index | 5.96% | 30.43% | 21.65% | 12.98% | 15.09% | 13.73% | 10.93% | … | … |
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- We monitor and send timely rebalance emails on what investment funds to buy and sell
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