401k: Dow Chemical | Print |  E-mail

Updated: 2/22/07

As a Dow Chemical employee, you may be eligible to participate in your company's 401(k) plan. This page is dedicated to giving you the information you need to make the most of your retirement plan.

If you find this information helpful, please help us spread the word at Dow Chemical.

According to our records, your current plan options are listed below. Please let us know if your plan has changed, or if there are additions or deletions to this list.
 

Blended Fund Investments
Asset Allocation
BGI LIFEPATH RET
BGI LIFEPATH 2010 - 2045 (8 Funds)

Stock Investments
Company Stock
DOW STOCK
ESOP HERITAGE DOW SH
ESOP HERITAGE UCC SH
LILLY PRE 91 STK FD
LILLY POST 90 STK FD

Large Cap Growth
FID GROWTH COMPANY

Large Cap Blend
INDEX EQUITY FUND
US LARGE CAP BLEND
FID CONTRAFUND
    

Large Cap Value
VANG WINDSOR II ADM

Mid-Cap Growth
TRP MID CAP GROWTH                                   

Mid-Cap Blend
FIDELITY LOW PR STK
SPTN EXTND MKT INDEX

Mid-Cap Value
VANG SELECTED VALUE

Small Cap Growth
GROWTH EQUITY

Small Cap Blend
NB GENESIS - TR CL

World
VANG GLOBAL EQUITY

Foreign
FID DIVERSIFIED INTL
CAP GARD INTL SM CAP

Diversfd Emerging Mkts
FIDELITY EMERG MRKTS

Specialty
AM CENT REAL EST IS
PIM COM REAL RET I

Convertibles
VANG CONVERTIBLE SEC

Bond Investments
Long Government
VANG LT TREASURY ADM

Intermed Government
PIMCO REAL RTN BD AD

Intermediate-Term
PIMCO TOT RETURN ADM

High-Yield
TRP HIGH YIELD

Stable Value
INTEREST INCOME FUND

International
FFTW INTL PORTFOLIO

Short Term Investments
US TREASURY FUND 



Warning: Several of these funds carry either a load or a 12b-1 fee. We assume your plan administrator was able to obtain these funds on a no-load basis, but this is not always the case. We are strongly opposed to buying funds that carry loads or charge extra fees, especially in a company retirement plan.

What we like about this retirement plan:  This plan includes most of the asset class choices we like to see, even including emerging markets and real estate funds.

What could improve your retirement plan:  A US small cap value fund and international large and small value funds would round out the excellent choices available in this plan.

Our Dow Chemical 401(k) Plan Recommendations

Here are our asset allocation recommendations based on the level of risk you decide to take. To determine your tolerance for risk so that you can choose the portfolio that's right for you, be sure to read the articles linked on our homepage. It's important that you understand the basis for our recommendations, because you'll be more likely to implement them and stay the course. If you have questions, check our FAQs.

Aggressive Portfolio
When you want to take out all the stops and "go for it," this is the portfolio for you. Equally at home in the U.S. and abroad, this combination is a favorite of young investors with plenty of time before retirement. It’s also suited for those on a fast track who want or need all the speed and distance they can get from their investments. Because 100 percent of the portfolio is in equities, the only buffer against the slings and arrows of the market is time. But if you’ve got the time, this is the way to go. Our expected annual return for this portfolio is 10 to 13 percent, with the likely one year loss of 25 to 40 percent.

Moderate Portfolio
This combination is a fine choice for many employees and especially for long-term investors. Its 60 percent weighting in equities gives it plenty of power for stock market growth, while the 40 percent in fixed-income provides stability and safety during declines in the market. This portfolio is most suitable for investors with five or more years until they will need their money. Our expected annual return for this portfolio is 7 to 10 percent, with the likely one year loss of 15 to 30 percent.

Conservative Portfolio
This combination stresses safety, with a mix of 40 percent equities and 60 percent fixed-income investments. It is most suitable for investors who consider themselves conservative, who are close to or past the age of retirement or who, for whatever reason, care more about holding onto their money than making it grow. Our expected annual return for this portfolio is 6 to 9 percent, with the likely one year loss of 5 to 15 percent.


         Funds Aggressive   Moderate Conservative
INDEX EQUITY FUND

10%

6%

4%

VANG WINDSOR II ADM

15%

9%

6%

VANG SELECTED VALUE

15%

9%

6%

AM CENT REAL EST IS

10%

6%

4%

FID DIVERSIFIED INTL

25%

15%

10%

CAP GARD INTL SM CAP

15%

9%

6%

FIDELITY EMERG MRKTS

10%

6%

4%

PIMCO TOT RETURN ADM

--

20%

30%

INTEREST INCOME FUND

--

20%

30%




DISCLAIMER:
This information is provided by Merriman Berkman Next, Inc., a registered investment advisor, and is believed to be from reliable sources, but no guarantee is made as to accuracy or completeness. The investment securities and strategies discussed are not suitable for all investors. Recommendations are of a general nature, not based on knowledge of any individual's specific needs or circumstances, and there is no intent to provide individual investment advisory, supervisory or management services. Unless otherwise noted, all reported or projected results (1) assume reinvestment of interest and dividends; (2) are net of any applicable management fees and transaction costs; and (3) do not reflect any effect of taxes. Past returns, whether actual or hypothetical, are not indicative of future results, which will be different from those of the past. Merriman Berkman Next, Inc. is not an authorized representative of Dow Chemical and its retirement plan.