Follow Dow Jones Demo
Dow Jones Demo is hypothetical. He completed the free GradeYour401k questionnaire and securely uploaded his latest 401(k) statement. Follow along as we show how we use that information during a 30-minute 401(k) review to get him closer to the retirement he wants.
The grade is only a starting point. The real work is understanding the account, identifying what can be improved now, and connecting those decisions to the retirement you are trying to build.
Build Your 401(k) for Retirement
Meet Dow Jones Demo. He completed the free GradeYour401k questionnaire and securely uploaded his latest statement. We use both to map out the seven areas we want to review.
Build it, capture the match, choose the tax road, run your own race, diversify it, maintain it, and make it resilient.
Don't Leave 401(k) Money on the Table
We compare Dow's contribution level with the employer match available in his plan to see whether he is capturing all of the money available to him.
Before chasing investment returns, make sure the account is being funded well and the full employer match is being captured.
Your 401(k) Fork in the Road
Dow has a Traditional-versus-Roth decision to make. We look at what he is doing now and how the choice can affect the flexibility of his future retirement income.
The goal is not to pick the fashionable answer. It is to make the tax decision intentionally and build future options.
Run Your Own 401(k) Race
We compare Dow's retirement timeline, risk preference, and actual allocation to see whether the portfolio he owns fits the race he is actually running.
Your portfolio should match your retirement timeline, not your coworker's portfolio or last year's hottest fund.
Diversify Your 401(k) — Don't DiWORSEify
Dow owns several funds, but different fund names do not automatically mean real diversification. We look underneath the labels to see what he actually owns.
Diversification is about spreading risk intelligently, not simply collecting more funds.
Tune Up Your 401(k)
Markets move, allocations drift, salaries change, and retirement gets closer. We review the maintenance items that can keep Dow's plan aligned over time.
A good 401(k) does not need constant tinkering, but it should not be abandoned either.
Bend, Don't Break Your 401(k)
Finally, we look at Dow's downside risk and ask whether a major market decline would simply be uncomfortable or could actually change his retirement plans.
The goal is not to avoid every market decline. It is to build a 401(k) that can take a hit and keep the retirement plan intact.
Progress Is the Point
People spend a lot of time searching for happiness at work. Our spin is that a lot of satisfaction comes from progress — knowing you are moving toward something that matters to you.
Your 401(k) is one place to create measurable progress: save a little more, capture the match, improve the allocation, and keep moving toward more options and freedom in retirement.
What would we find in your 401(k)?
Start with the free GradeYour401k questionnaire. If you want to go deeper, schedule a 30-minute review and securely send us your latest statement so we can work from the actual account information. If you want to see how your 401(k) fits into the rest of retirement, watch our full Retirement Planning Demo.
Dow Jones Demo is hypothetical and is presented for educational and illustrative purposes only. His circumstances and the strategies discussed are not intended to represent any specific client or constitute individualized investment, tax, or legal advice. Actual results and appropriate strategies will vary based on individual circumstances and plan provisions.