401(k) Optimizer® is backed by Howard Capital Management (HCM), which is headquartered in Roswell, Ga., and has been serving investment clients since 1996. With over 1.5 billion in assets under management, it is safe to say that HCM has some solid experience. It’s no surprise that it continues to be a leader in the financial industry, as it has a long-standing track record of successfully managing its clients’ investments.
In this post, I will discuss how the 401(k) Optimizer works, the features it offers, how much it costs, and more. The 401(k) Optimizer is a powerful tool that can help you maximize your retirement savings and make the most of your 401(k) Let’s take 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 888-353-1299 Before you make any decisions, you should have a good idea of the services the company provides.
What is 401(k) Optimizer®?
If you have a 401(k), 403(b) or 457, you’ve probably wondered how to manage the money you’ve invested in your plan. Most 401(k) plans don’t offer personalized guidance when it comes to where your money goes. It can be hard to know how to allocate your money in order to maximize your retirement savings potential. Unless you want to pay a hefty advisory or management fee, most investors are left to manage their 401(k) allocations on their own. Fortunately, there are tools available online and through financial institutions that can help guide you in making the right decisions for your 401(k) investments.
The 401(k) Optimizer® is an online service that can solve this very problem. You will be able to make more informed investment decisions with a 401(k) Optimizer account. The 401(k) Optimizersup>®/sup> account provides an easy to use platform to help you understand the terms of your retirement plan and make the most out of it. It is possible to put your money in a fund that is riskier but has more upside. For a more tailored approach, you could invest in individual stocks, bonds, or other securities.
You could park your funds in more conservative options if you are more risk-averse. The 401(k) Optimizersup>®/sup> also gives you access to advanced risk management tools designed to help you avoid major losses due to market downturns. It’s a great way to make sure your retirement savings are protected.
Quarterly Recommendations
Each quarter, the 401(k) Optimizer automatically reviews your portfolio with the use of their proprietary mathematical algorithm to suggest a customized allocation based on your risk tolerance, goals and market conditions. The 401(k) Optimizer provides in-depth analysis and tailored advice to help you make the most of your retirement savings.
Most employer-sponsored plans offer an annual rebalancing strategy that helps you stay on top of your portfolio. You can easily adjust the allocations of your portfolio to match your goals and risk tolerance. You have weekly text updates on your account balance. You can access your account balance through the online banking portal.
If you review your portfolio every three months, you are already a few steps ahead of most 401(k) account holders. Ensure that your money is invested in the most beneficial funds for your long-term goals by making sure to review your portfolio every three months. The recommendations are designed to be easy to use. They should be used to achieve the desired results.
You can see how much of your balance should be allocated to each fund. It is easier to understand how your investments are being used.
Allocating your portfolio to match your goals and risk tolerance will help you stay on track with your savings and goals but could also mean higher returns than a typical buy and hold style. It’s important to make sure your portfolio is still in line with your goals as you move through different stages of life.
Downside Risk Management
The 401(k) Optimizersup>®/sup> incorporates an interesting proprietary feature called the HCM-BuyLinesup>®/sup>, a mathematical algorithm that monitors market trends and alert investors when it’s time to move investments to safety. The HCM-Buy-Linesup>®/sup> is designed to protect investors from major market losses, allowing them to confidently stay invested in their 401(k) accounts.
This feature has been around for 20 years. Do you really want to lose half of your 401(k) savings in the next bear market? Think about the long-term consequences of this decision and make sure you are making a sound financial choice. If you lose half your money, it could take you twice as long to get back to where you started.
The difference of extra years in the workforce and your hard-earned dollars that could have been compounded could be avoided by sidestepping these downturns. By making smart decisions now, you can make sure that your financial future is strong.
The goal is to help you move your assets to less volatile investments before the market crashes. With other automated investing tools, a major benefit is that they remove human emotion and guesswork from the equation. There is an easy and efficient way to build a well-balanced portfolio with minimal effort. Check out the video for more information.
The HCM Optimized Trend Indicator® (OTI)
The OTI is an advanced tool that can be found within your 401(k) account. The OTI gives you the insights you need to make more informed decisions about your retirement savings. The OTI can help you determine when to buy or sell a stock. It’s easy to use and understand, and the OTI is updated regularly so that you always have access to the latest market data and trends.
Enter the ticker into the OTI search box if you’re considering buying or selling a stock. You can use the search results to evaluate the stock’s performance and decide if it is a good investment for you. You can see what the trend looks like using Walmart as an example. The positive outlook for the company has been consistent over the past year.
The red arrows show where the OTI recommended selling the stock, and the green arrows show where the OTI recommended buying the stock. The company is known for its innovative approach to stock trading. I have not seen this feature in any of the other investment accounts that I have reviewed. I’m excited to take advantage of all the benefits that this feature has to offer.
You have to do your homework before you make a stock transaction. Before investing any money, you need to fully understand the stock market. I don’t like day-trading or trying to time the market. Everyone would be rich if it were easy. OTI can be used as a reference point in your decision-making process if you are on the fence about buying or selling a stock. You can use OTI’s technical analysis to help you make a decision.
401(k) Optimizer® Pricing
The 401(k) Optimizer® has two straightforward pricing options:
- Monthly . You will be charged $9.00 each month if you select this plan.
- Annual . If you choose the annual billing plan, you will pay $48 for the first year.
The 401(k) Optimizer does not charge an asset under management fee or an advisory fee, which distinguishes the service from other financial advisory firms.
For example, if you invest with a Robo-advising service like Personal Capital, Betterment, or Wealthfront, you’ll pay an AUM fee that will most likely exceed $100 each year.
Signing Up and Getting Started
To sign up for a 401(k) Optimizer® account, visit their homepage and click Sign Up at the top or middle of your browser.
Next, you’ll be asked to indicate whether you’re an individual investor or a financial advisor:
Taking the individual investor route, you’ll then be asked to enter your email address and to create a password:
Once that’s done, you’ll have to enter your first name last name, date of birth, and phone number:
Next, you’ll be asked to indicate if you currently have a financial advisor and also agree to the company’s terms and conditions:
The next step is to link your 401(k) to your account. You will be able to make contributions to your 401(k) with ease once the process is complete. The 401(k) Optimizersup>®/sup> can be used to track employer contributions and account performance. The 401(k) Optimizer helps to monitor and provide guidance on investment decisions. Any company with a 401(k) can connect to the 401(k) Optimizer. It can connect to traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and traditional and
You will link your financial institution after listing your company. Information security is the highest priority at all times. The personal data of its customers and employees is protected by the company.
The highest industry security standards are upheld by them. This makes sure that customer data is kept safe. The security standards protect sensitive financial data. Ensuring that their systems and networks are configured to meet or exceed these security standards is important. The site is secure. All data is transmitted over the internet.
The final step is completing a quick survey that helps determine where your funds should be allocated based on your risk tolerance:
You will be asked to choose your account type. Your new account will be ready to use once you have made your selection. The annual option is cheaper than the monthly option. If you choose the annual option, you will be able to save money in the long run and have access to features you wouldn’t otherwise have. If you have a promo code, you can use it. Be sure to double check your order summary before you submit your payment to make sure that the promo code has been applied correctly.
Your account is ready to go once your payment is processed. You can use your account immediately. It took me about five minutes to sign up. I was relieved that the sign up process was so easy.
The system will give you personalized recommendations within 24 hours after you sign up. Once you are satisfied with the recommendations, you can easily implement them within your 401(k) plan.
Here’s a screenshot of what a portfolio recommendation looks like within my 401(k) Optimizer® account:
The holdings are diversified across four funds based on my risk tolerance and include the percent of how much I should invest in each fund with a dollar figure. I’m confident that I can meet my financial goals with this portfolio. They make this very easy to comprehend. The examples and explanations are easy to understand.
401(k) Optimizer® Promotions, Bonuses, Coupons
If you sign up for the annual plan, you will get a 10% discount. I am not seeing anything public at this time, but it appears that investment advisors may have access to additional promo codes. I would suggest contacting an investment advisor to inquire about any potential promo codes they might have access to.
401(k) Optimizer® Security
Information security is the highest priority at all times. Strict security measures have been put in place by the company to keep confidential data safe. The highest industry security standards are upheld by them. Their customers’ data is kept confidential at all times. The security standards protect sensitive financial data. Ensuring that their data is kept secure and confidential can be done by adhering to these standards. The site is secure. Your data is protected from malicious attacks.
Pros and Cons of the 401(k) Optimizer®
Pros
- Provide 401(k) recommendations/allocations every quarter with weekly text updates on your account balance
- Investments overlaid with the HCM-BuyLine® – a mathematical algorithm designed to sidestep bear markets, identifying uptrends or downtrends in a market to scale into or out of equities
- Access to advanced proprietary tools like the HCM-BuyLine® and Optimized Trend Indicator® (OTI)
- Straightforward pricing; no advisory or assets under management fees
- An easy-to-use platform for self-guided investors
Cons
- There isn’t a lot of data or reviews about how effective the service is. The feedback received so far has been positive. However, the HCM-BuyLine® has a 20-year track record
- There is no free account option; you have to pay either monthly or annually for the service
Is the 401(k) Optimizer® Right for Me?
If you have a 401(k) plan and would like some additional direction with regards to where your funds are allocated, it makes sense to give 401k Optimizer a shot. The process for making investment decisions that are tailored to your personal goals and risk profile is provided by the 401k Optimizer. When you need it, you can get access to some very interesting investing tools and customer support for a nominal fee.
You will be better equipped to make smart investment decisions if you have more information. It’s important to have reliable sources of financial information in order to be successful in investing. Being ahead of the pack on the journey to financial independence is what this is about. Cheers to taking the necessary steps to get there.
This is a sponsored review. I am grateful to the company for giving me the opportunity to review their product. Howard Capital Management, Inc. offers the HCM 401(k) Optimizer®. When it comes to retirement planning, the HCM 401(k) Optimizer® helps employers and their employees make well-informed decisions. An SEC-registered investment adviser only does business where it is properly registered. The investment adviser will only provide the highest quality of service to its clients. SEC registration does not mean that the firm is endorsed by the Commission or that the adviser has a particular level of skill or ability. SEC registration doesn’t guarantee the safety of client assets or the performance of any investment. Howard Capital Management uses a variety of websites to market their products. The sites give Howard Capital Management an effective platform to reach a wide audience. The sites usually receive a commission for each account they sign up for. Referred customers who purchase the services will receive a referral fee from the site. The sites are not affiliated with Howard Capital Management. Howard Capital Management is not responsible for investment decisions made by its clients. This review may have been edited by Howard Capital Management. Howard Capital Management supports the accuracy of the review and the assessment of the company’s performance. Nothing should be construed as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any security or investment product issued by Howard Capital Management. Investment involves risk. The article does not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or needs of any investor and is not intended to be relied upon as advice to investors or potential investors. Before making any investment decisions, it is important to seek independent financial advice. Investments and investment strategies can be profitable or unprofitable. It is advisable to consult with a licensed financial advisor to help determine the best course of action for your specific needs. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment or strategy will be suitable or profitable for an investor’s portfolio. Before making any investment decisions, it is important to consult with a financial professional. Information provided is not personalized investment advice. Before making any decisions about your investments, you should speak to an investment professional. There is no guarantee that an investment or strategy will beat a benchmark. Future investment success is not guaranteed by past performance. Investing involves risk, and there is no guarantee of achieving your investment goals. Dollar cost averaging, asset allocation, rebalancing, and other strategies do not assure a profit or protect against losses in declining markets. Detailed disclosures can be found on this link. You will have a better understanding of the product if you read the detailed disclosures. LASS.401KMM.020720 Privacy Disclosures Form ADV Part 2
