As a 3(38) fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, Guideline has strict standards of conduct, responsibility, and obligations. We are legally – and morally – obligated to make prudent and measured investment decisions that are in our 401(k) plans' and their participants’ best interests. These same principles apply to those who choose our IRA products.
Guideline’s investment committee is responsible for routinely monitoring our fund menu to ensure each selected fund continues to serve the best interests of our clients.
When you set up your Guideline account, you’ll complete a short questionnaire to assess your risk tolerance and saving timeline, among other factors. Based on your answers, we’ll then present you with one of our six managed portfolios, ranging from conservative to very aggressive. Alternatively, you can build your own custom portfolio from our full investment fund menu.
Guideline’s investment options
Guideline offers a wide range of low-cost mutual funds with a variety of strategies chosen to help you diversify your portfolio and meet your retirement goals. We also look for funds that aim to minimize fees, which we believe could negatively affect your investment portfolio’s performance.
Below is a list of our current investment fund menu.
Ticker | Fund name |
US Stock Market |
|
VTSAX | Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares |
US Large Cap Equity |
|
VFIAX | Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VIGAX | Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VLCAX | Vanguard Large Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VVIAX | Vanguard Value Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VDADX | Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares |
VHYAX | Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral |
VFTAX | Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares |
US Mid Cap Equity |
|
VIMAX | Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VEXAX | Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VMGMX | Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VMVAX | Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund Admiral Shares |
US Small Cap Equity |
|
VSMAX | Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VSGAX | Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VSIAX | Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund Admiral Shares |
International Developed Equity |
|
VTMGX | Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VPADX | Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VTIAX | Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VFWAX | Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VEUSX | Vanguard European Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VFSAX | Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small Capital Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VIAAX | Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares |
Emerging Markets Equity |
|
VEMAX | Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares |
US Bonds |
|
VBTLX | Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VBILX | Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VBIRX | Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VBLAX | Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares |
US Government Bonds |
|
VTAPX | Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares |
International Bonds |
|
VTABX | Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares |
Real Estate |
|
VGRLX | Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VGSLX | Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares |
Sector Equity |
|
VENAX | Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VFAIX | Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VHCIX | Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VINAX | Vanguard Industrials Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VITAX | Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VMIAX | Vanguard Materials Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VTCAX | Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares |
VUIAX | Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares |
Money Market |
|
VMFXX | Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund |
For additional information on each fund, including the expense ratios, share price, and historical returns, please see here.
Can I make changes to my Guideline portfolio?
You can make changes to your investment choices at any time within your Guideline dashboard. Here are step-by-step instructions for your 401(k) or IRA.
The information provided herein is general in nature and is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value. Investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses should be considered carefully before investing, and you are advised to consult a qualified financial advisor.