401(k) Plans Share in Green Investment Options

Author: / 5 Mar 2021 / Business

Socially Responsible Investing- Ubiquity

Americans have expressed increased interest in Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) funds over the last decade.

U.S. investors have sunk $17 trillion into assets managed by companies that promote diversity and clean energy. About one-third of all professionally managed assets fit ESG investment rules. Americans invested $21 billion in ESG mutual funds in 2019 – four times the prior record. Despite the economic turmoil, 2020 ESG funds are more than double the records set in 2019. While ESG funds have grown in the last few years, workplace retirement plans have generally not been robust in exploring green investment options.

401(k) Plans and ESG Funds

Workplace-sponsored retirement plans represent a huge pot of wealth. Almost a third of all U.S. retirement assets are held in 401(k) plans. Yet, only 3% of 401(k) plans offer employees an ESG fund investment option. As a result, only a tenth of 1% of 401(k) assets are held in socially responsible funds.

Several roadblocks have prevented these investors from scooping up ESGs:

  • Retirement investment trends

    Target-date funds dominate the workplace retirement plan sphere. The emphasis placed on all-in-one funds that shift from stocks to bonds as investors near retirement are a “safe” default for all employees who are auto-enrolled. One in every $5 invested in 401(k) plans are tied up in such funds – up from one in $10 a decade ago.

  • Possible lawsuits

    Employers are afraid of going out on a limb with investments that could have higher costs or underperform. Companies that pledge adherence to ESG principles will need to live up to their disclosures or find themselves on the receiving end of lawsuits. Even though all but one ESG index fund had higher net returns this year, these lawsuits could potentially jeopardize shareholder profitability, making ESG a riskier type of investment.

  • Trump administration rules

    The Labor Department changes guidance and regulation of ESG funds with every new administration. The Trump administration issued a rule requiring employers to evaluate investments exclusively based on risk and return, rather than taking social responsibility or environmental concerns into consideration. Further, employers were explicitly prohibited from auto-enrolling workers into an ESG fund.

Are Changes Coming in 2021?

2021 has already seen significant movement toward alleviating roadblocks for 401(k) investing based on ESG factors. In March 2021, The Biden administration announced that it would not enforce the 2020 Trump administration rule that made it harder to offer ESGs in workplace retirement plans.

Start Your Small Business 401(k) Plan in 2021 With Green Investment Options

For over two decades, Ubiquity Retirement + Savings has pioneered retirement savings plans designed exclusively for small and micro businesses. Since day one, our innovative solutions and low-cost, flat fee pricing make it easier than ever for small businesses to save for their future.

Our customizable 401(k) offerings include an optional turnkey ESG investment lineup, allowing small business owners to empower employees with the opportunity to save for the future while applying their savings toward the causes they care about most.

Just like personal values, investment strategies are not one-size-fits all. Ubiquity’s sustainable investment lineup includes low-cost mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from Vanguard, giving your team a broad range of options based on risk and personal preference.

Offer a 401(k) plan for your team with a fully diversified investment lineup that offers options for green investors.

Learn more about socially responsible investing with Ubiquity

Take the next step – Let me help you.

Contact Jay Jacob, Sr. Retirement Plan Consultant

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© 2024 Ubiquity Retirement + Savings
44 Montgomery Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94104