Dear all,

My company wants me to choose among the following stock options for the 401k. Few being Conservative and few being the aggresive. Since I have no idea about stock I would really appreciate if some one could guide me regarding my retirement fund. 

Thank You.

Following options were presented to me and I can divde the amount of percentage I want to invest in.

1. Allianz RCM Global Tech
2. American Funds Amer Mtual R6
3. American Funds FDMNTL INV R6
4. DFA EMERGING MARKETS
5. FEDERATED CAP PRESERV INSTL
6. FIDELITY ADV NEW INSIGHTS
7. HARBOR INTERNATIONAL
8. LOMIS SAYLES BOND INSTL
9. PIMCO COMM REAL RETURN STRAT D
10. PIMCO TOTAL RETURN INST'L
11. ROYCE VALUE INVEST
12. T. ROWE PRICE CAP APPRECIATION
13. T. ROWE PRICE NEW AMERICA GRTH
14. T. ROWE PRICE SMALL CAP
15. VANGUARD 500 INDEX SIGNAL
16. VANGUARD EQUITY INCOME
17. VANGUARD MID CAP INDEX SIGNAL
18. VANGUARD SMALL CAP INDX
19. VANGUARD TARGET RETIREMENT 2010
20. VANGUARD TARGET RETIREMENT 2015
21. VANGUARD TARGET RETIREMENT 2020
22. VANGUARD TARGET RETIREMENT 2025
23. V                     T              RETIREMENT 2030
24. V.                    T.             RETIREMENT 2035
25. V.                    T.             R.                       2040
26. V.                    T.             R.                       2045 AND SO TILL 2055
27. VANGUARD TOTAL INT'L STOCK

PORTFOLIO MODELS
1. CONSERVATIVE
2. STOCK 50
3. STOCK  75
4. STOCK 100
5. AGGRESSIVE STOCK

Regarding me; Married,M, 30, No kids, Health care job.

If you have  less than 10K in your 401K, choose the aggressive one. Btw, those are not stocks but entity who buy/sell stocks and promises certain return every year. Change to less agressive upto conservative every 5 years. Just my thinking.

Thanks Khairey. I do not have any 401 k saving and it's my first one as is my first job in US. So u thinks I should go for aggressive for 5 years and change to less every 5 yrs.

You have about 20 options (8 of them are retirement funds, of which you should be able to select only one). Check MorningStar for more details into each of them. MorningStar lists the kind of allocation each fund has and their risk and return vs other funds of similar category. If you've never done these things before then you'll be overwhelmed at first, but as time goes on, you'll start getting the hang of it.

Common knowledge says invest in high-risk funds early on in your career and slowly move to conservative the closer you are to retirement. Bonds and inflation-protected funds are conservative as they are low but steady source of revenue. Stocks and investments are aggresive as they can go up and down based on any criteria. The retirement funds are moderate as they are monitored by the company providing the 401k service.

It is a timeless suggestion that you contribute at least the maximum your company will match you. The match varies from company to company. This is free money if you can afford to take advantage of it.

The first $17,500 pear year you contribute to 401k is tax-free. This amount varies year by year, be sure to check. If you can afford to then this is a good place to stock up some tax-free cash for your future.

Please invest smartly.