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How should I allocate ING 401k?


I'm 24 years old and work as an IT Consultant. My firm has a 401k plan with matching with ING. My company matches half of my contribution, up to 3% of my salary. Therefore, I am planning on contributing 7% to take advantage of the match. My question is, how do I allocate my contribution? ING offers a variety of funds and labels them as Global/International, Aggressive Growth, Growth, Growth & Income (Stocks), Growth & Income (Stocks & Bonds), Asset Allocation, Income, and Stability of Principal. Since I'm still young, I'm looking for a more aggressive strategy - slightly higher risk but higher estimated return. Any advice in the form of percentages of contribution would be very helpful. Thanks.

Here is one aggressive asset allocation that I would suggest:
15% large-cap
15% mid-cap
15% small-cap
10% international
10% special sector (e.g., healthcare)
10% fix income (e.g., bonds)
10% cash

Here is what I recently read: "The smartest investors concentrate on what makes a difference: asset allocation." Therefore, no matter how aggressive you are, you should get your asset allocation right and keeping your costs as low as possible.

You are wise to lean more agressively now, as you have time on your side.

Aggressive funds will be those that focus on growth as opposed to income. It appears from the way you've listed the funds they are in order from riskiest to safest.

You might consider a distribution that puts about 60-70% in more agressive (Agressive Growth, Growth & Income-Stocks), and the rest in less agressive (Asset Allocation, Income). Don't put all your eggs in one basket--divide those amounts up.

Also, check with the plan administrator (ING) to see if they have any kind of strategies they have mapped out. My 401K is with Merrill Lynch and they offer several different strategies to choose from that will distribute your contribution for a specific outcome.

i am more of a timer following general market trends. being aggressive is great at your age, if they have a money market fund that would be good to use in times of projected long term market weakness.

i would mix global/int and aggressive growth.

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