Have you reviewed your retirement plans?

[lookout123]

Originally Posted by glatt

My 401k offers an energy fund and a precious metals fund. Both are doing pretty damn well right now and have been for 5 years. I'm not in either of them. But there is a 1% penalty if you get out in less than a year.

If your holdings were down in six months would you panic? Don't buy. If you'd be disappointed but ok to stay, then take a look. You aren't retiring next year anyway.

[lookout123]

Anyway, I don't mind answering questions but I was more interested in hearing the reasoning behind the decisions you're all making in regards to your nesteggs at this point. It seems like I've only been meeting chicken littles or real gamblers lately.

[glatt]

I'm a sleeper here. Every few years I take a look at things and re-adjust. I was going to do it again last week, but got side tracked. Didn't get beyond printing out my choices.

Here's how I spread out my investments last time, and how they are doing so far in 2008.

Bonds:
8.58% PIMCO Total Return Instl [YTD 2.87%]

Domestic Stocks:
28.63% American Beacon Small Cap Val Inst [YTD 3.86%]
26.75% Janus Mid Cap Value Investor [YTD 3.79%]
6.76% Vanguard Windsor II Fund Investor Shares (I don't even know what this is, but it sucks) [YTD -8.86%]

International Stocks:
5.37% DFA Intl Small Company I [YTD -0.56%]
8.31% Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Open [YTD 0.74%]

Misc:
15.60% Allianz RCM Technology Instl (another big loser) [YTD -7.17%]

[lookout123]

Vanguard Windsor II Fund Investor Shares (I don't even know what this is, but it sucks) [YTD -8.86%]

But the fees are low.

it is generally an income oriented large cap fund. Think of all the company names you know and you'll find most of them in there. You've got the right idea on diversification so good job. It is almost text book. Only a couple questions to think about.

How long before you retire?
Over the long term do stocks or bonds outperform?
Is there a fund in your portfolio that might drag you down over longer periods of time?
What percentage of the most profitable companies are domestic?
What effect does a falling dollar have on domestic/foreign investments?
What percentage of your holdings are domestic?

There is no right or wrong answer, just something to think about.

BTW, that bond fund is a good one that I have used with many of my clients.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by lookout123

it is generally an income oriented large cap fund. Think of all the company names you know and you'll find most of them in there.

I probably got into that fund because I thought it would be less risky than the small caps. Funny how that worked out.

[lookout123]

it is in the long term. i haven't looked at it lately, but it is built for stability. unless the management team has changed i see no reason why that should change.

[loTEK911]

So I'm 29 now an this is my retirement plan so far... If, by the age of 60, Armageddon has not happened, there is no zombie breakout, I've not been gunned down behind my bar, or turned into road paste by a cager on a cell phone, I'm kinda screwed. I ask any finance savvy folk, when is too late? An what is a solid simple plan for someone with a... variable income? Humor my ignorance.