401k: State of Washington
Updated: August, 2011

As a State of Washington employee, you may be eligible to participate in your states retirement plan. This page is dedicated to giving you the information you need to make the most of your retirement investments.

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Our company offers a free initial consultation if you have $500,000 in investable assets or are within 3 years of retirement.  The benefit to you of having an initial consultation with one of our financial advisors is that they can help you make decisions about your entire investment portfolio as well as answer other questions you may have.  The meeting can be held at our office in Seattle or on the phone.  To request a meeting, please click here or call 1-800-423-4893.

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 be emailing

 Current Investment Options:
 
 Emerging Markets Equity Index  WSIB Total Allocation Portfolio 
 US Small Cap Value Equity Index  Socially Responsible Fund
 Global Equity Index  WA State Bond Fund
 US Large Cap Equity Index   Savings Pool
 Retirement Strategy Funds  Money Market Fund

 

 

 Our State of Washington Retirement Plan Recommendation:
    Aggressive
Moderate
Conservative
    %Equity
 100%  60% 40%
     %Bond  0%  40%  60%
 Fund Name:
Fund Category:        
US Large Cap Equity Index
Large Cap Blend
  20%
12%
8%
US Small Cap Value Equity Index
 Small Cap Value
  20% 12% 8%
Global Equity Index
Global Equity
  50%
30%
20%
Emerging Markets Equity Index
Emerging Markets
  10%
6%
4%
Washington State Bond Fund
Intermediate-Term Bond
  0%
28%
42%
Savings Pool or Money Market Fund*
  Short Term   0%
12%
18%

 

*The Savings Pool fund is for Plan 3.  The Money Market Fund is for the DCP/JRA plan.

 

Which Portfolio Is Right For You?
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 weighted at home in the U.S. and abroad, this combination is a favorite of young investors with plenty of time before retirement and the ability to remain calm during market downturns.  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.

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.

 

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.

 

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DISCLAIMER:
This information is provided by Merriman, 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.  Merriman, Inc. is not an authorized representative of the State of Washington or of its retirement plans.