Retirement Insights

Evaluating Qualified Default Investment Alternative (QDIA)

Evaluating Qualified Default Investment Alternative (QDIA)

Have the flaws of target date funds been overlooked to the detriment of plan participants? We discuss how a dynamic investment approach that thoughtfully adjusts portfolio risk exposures in response to prevailing market conditions and shifting security valuations could better position participants to navigate a variety of market conditions.

Key Takeaways

  • Both defined contribution plan sponsors and participants in general have historically benefited from the introduction of QDIAs as the default investment option for participants who have not directed their deferrals.

  • In our view, the overwhelming popularity of target date funds as QDIAs belies the risks lurking in these vehicles. We believe sponsors would benefit from evaluating a broad range of investment strategies—not just target date funds—when choosing the best QDIA option for their plan.

  • The latest market tumult of 2022 served as a reminder that the primary risk to retirement savers is suffering large losses that deny them the potential of full wealth-generating features of compounding assets over a long period of time. Sponsors are well-advised to consider these dynamics when selecting the QDIA that will house a large portion of participant assets.

  • Funds managed by First Eagle’s Global Value team—including First Eagle Global Fund and Global Income Builder Fund—may represent attractive QDIA options given their active, flexible, fundamental approach to portfolio construction, underlying emphasis on mitigating downside risk, and the potential for long-term growth of capital across market cycles.

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This material is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as specific tax, legal, or investment advice. You are strongly encouraged to consult with your independent financial professional, lawyer, accountant or other advisors as to investment, legal, tax and related matters.

The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the firm. These materials are provided for informational purpose only. These opinions are not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, or investment advice. Any statistic contained herein have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but the accuracy of this information cannot be guaranteed. The views expressed herein may change at any time subsequent to the date of issue hereof. The information provided is not to be construed as a recommendation or an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any fund or security.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Risk Disclosures

There are risks associated with investing in securities of foreign countries, such as erratic market conditions, economic and political instability and fluctuations in currency exchange rates. These risks may be more pronounced with respect to investments in emerging markets.

Investment in gold and gold related investments present certain risks, and returns on gold related investments have traditionally been more volatility than investments in broader equity or debt markets. Physical gold does not produce income.

A principal risk of investing in value stocks is that the price of the security may not approach its anticipated value or may decline in value. “Value” investments, as a category, or entire industries or sectors associated with such investments, may lose favor with investors as compared to those that are more “growth” oriented.

Diversification does not guarantee investment returns and does not eliminate the risk of loss.

All investments involve the risk of loss.

The Global Fund may invest in gold and precious metals through investment in a wholly owned subsidiary of the Global Fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). Gold bullion and commodities include the Global Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary.

Funds that invest in bonds are subject to interest-rate risk and can lose principal value when interest rates rise. Bonds are also subject to credit risk, in which the bond issuer may fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that negative perception of the issuer’s ability to make such payments may cause the price of that bond to decline.

The Global Income Builder Fund invests in high yield securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) which are generally considered speculative because they may be subject to greater levels of interest rate, credit (including issuer default) and liquidity risk than investment grade securities and may be subject to greater volatility. High yield securities are rated lower than investment-grade securities because there is a greater possibility that the issuer may be unable to make interest and principal payments on those securities.

Bank loans are often less liquid than other types of debt instruments. There is no assurance that the liquidation of any collateral from a secured bank loan would satisfy the borrower’s obligation, or that such collateral could be liquidated.

Income generation and dividends are not guaranteed. All investments involve the risk of loss. If dividend paying stocks in the Global Income Builder Fund’s portfolio stop paying or reduce dividends, the fund’s ability to generate income will be adversely affected. One cannot invest directly in an index. Indices do not incur management fees or other operating expenses.

Definitions

A defined contribution plan (is a type of retirement plan in which the employer, employee, or both make contributions s on a regular basis.

A 401(k) QDIA (Qualified Default Investment Alternative) is the investment used when an employee contributes to the plan without having specified how the money should be invested. 

target-date fund (TDF) is a fund offered by an investment company that seeks to grow assets over a specified period of time for a targeted goal. While target-date funds aim to reduce risk overtime, they—like any investment—are not risk free, even when the target date has reached. Target-date funds do not provide guaranteed income in retirement and can lose money if the stocks and bonds owned by the fund drop in value. 

A balanced fund is a mutual fund that owns a blend of equity and fixed-income investments.

FEF Distributors, LLC (Member SIPC) distributes certain First Eagle products; it does not provide services to investors. As such, when FEF Distributors, LLC presents a strategy or product to an investor, FEF Distributors, LLC does not determine whether the investment is in the best interests of, or is suitable for, the investor. Investors should exercise their own judgment and/or consult with a financial professional prior to investing in any First Eagle strategy or product.

Investors should consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the Funds and may be obtained by visiting our website at www. firsteagle.com or calling us at 800-334-2143. Please read our prospectus carefully before investing. Investments are not FDIC insured or bank guaranteed and may lose value.

The First Eagle Funds are offered by FEF Distributors, LLC, a subsidiary of First Eagle Investment Management, LLC, which provides advisory services.

First Eagle Investments is the brand name for First Eagle Investment Management, LLC and its subsidiary investment advisers.

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