Advice for a Retired Autoworker
Columnist David McPherson answers reader questions on personal finance.
Dec. 9, 2008 — -- This week, I start fielding questions directly from readers. Here's one from a retired automotive industry manager, who wonders what he should do with his 401(k) account.
Question: I retired from Chrysler 18 months ago. As a middle-level manager I have a pension. My 401(k) is managed by Merrill Lynch and has lost approximately 30 percent of its value in the past 11 months. My financial adviser at (a big bank) wants me to empty the 401(k) and distribute it between two accounts: One claims to provide a minimum of 5 percent gain per year, regardless of market movement; the other is similar to a managed 401(k). Not sure what to do, but I believe the market will bounce back eventually. Stay or go?
-- R.K., Clarkston, Mich.
Answer: I would ask some pointed questions before moving this money, R.K.
There can be good reasons for a retiree to move money out of a 401(k) plan into another type of retirement plan, but you first need to understand the implications of what you're doing.
Most importantly, you want to know exactly what you're buying and what these moves are going to cost you, both in the short term and over the long term. Ask the bank adviser what expenses are associated with the accounts being suggested. And make sure you understand how they work before deciding anything.
It sounds to me like that first account suggested by the bank adviser might be a variable annuity featuring some type of guarantee benefit.
The guarantee sounds nice, particularly during times like these, but it can be quite expensive in many cases and, frankly, not worth the cost.
I've seen variable annuities that carry total annual expense ratios well in excess of 3 percent when you include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative fees, the costs of the underlying investment funds and special features like a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit.
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