MORGAN STANLEY 401(K) PLAN Investment Options
Available Funds in MORGAN STANLEY 401(K) PLAN
Below is the lineup of investment options available to participants in MORGAN STANLEY 401(K) PLAN. This typically includes a mix of mutual funds, index funds, and collective investment trusts (CITs) — which are pooled investment vehicles custom-built for large retirement plans, often with lower expense ratios than their retail mutual fund equivalents.
When evaluating these options, focus on expense ratios (lower is better), asset class coverage (U.S. stocks, international stocks, bonds, and stable value), and whether low-cost index funds are available. Research consistently shows that low-cost, broadly diversified index funds outperform most actively managed funds over the long term.
| Asset Class | Ticker | Description | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How to Build a Smart Portfolio in Your 401(k)
Your investment lineup is only as good as how you use it. Here are the key steps to building a portfolio that works for your retirement goals:
- Know your risk tolerance and timeline. If you are decades from retirement, you can generally afford more stock exposure. Closer to retirement, you may want to shift toward bonds and stable value for capital preservation.
- Diversify across asset classes. Spread investments across U.S. stocks, international stocks, bonds, and possibly real estate or stable value. This reduces the impact of any single market downturn.
- Favor low-cost index funds. Even a 0.5% difference in annual fees compounds to tens of thousands of dollars over a 30-year career. If your plan offers an S&P 500 index fund or a total stock market index fund at low cost, that is typically a strong core holding.
- Consider a target-date fund if you prefer simplicity. Target-date funds automatically adjust your stock/bond allocation as you approach retirement, making them a solid one-fund solution for hands-off investors.
- Rebalance at least annually. Over time, your portfolio drifts from its target allocation as some assets outperform others. Rebalancing keeps your risk level consistent.
Learn more in our Four-Step Guide for 401(k) Retirement Investing, or use the Asset Allocation Calculator to find the right mix for your age and risk tolerance.
Model Asset Allocation Portfolios
Not sure how to allocate your investments? These model portfolios are built from core, broadly diversified asset classes using ultra-low-cost index funds. Choose a template that matches your risk tolerance, then adapt it to the specific funds available in MORGAN STANLEY 401(K) PLAN. See Asset Allocation Portfolio Templates for a detailed guide.
| Name | YTD Return | 1Yr AR | 3Yr AR | 5Yr AR | 10Yr AR | 15Yr AR | 20Yr AR | Common | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four Core Asset Portfolio | 4.74% | 18.86% | 12.42% | 5.72% | 8.01% | 7.30% | 6.92% | … | … |
| Five Core Asset Portfolio | 4.70% | 18.79% | 12.38% | 5.55% | 7.97% | 7.19% | 6.94% | … | … |
| Three Core Asset Portfolio | 4.57% | 19.80% | 13.11% | 6.19% | 8.52% | 7.64% | 7.10% | … | … |
| Two Core Asset Portfolio | 3.87% | 19.18% | 13.68% | 6.85% | 9.34% | 8.84% | 7.95% | … | … |
| Yale Endowment Template | 5.35% | 17.45% | 11.87% | 5.56% | 8.33% | 7.96% | 7.55% | … | … |
| S&P 500 Index | 5.96% | 30.43% | 21.65% | 12.98% | 15.09% | 13.73% | 10.93% | … | … |
Get Key Insights for This Plan
Join our community and get data-driven insights about MORGAN STANLEY 401(K) PLAN. See how it compares to peer companies in fees, match generosity, and investment quality as soon as our new ranking reports go live.
Notify Me When Ratings Go LiveExplore More Plan Resources
Recent Articles
- Delta’s 401(k): 9% Employer Contribution, 367 Funds, and a Smart Auto-Escalation Design
- Providence Health’s 100% Match on 6% and $600M Pay Raise: What Employees Need to Know
- Meta’s 401(k): 50% Match, Immediate Vesting, and $670M on the Table
- Making Sense of Mixed Signals
- Nike’s 401(k) Match Is Dollar-for-Dollar, Even When the Swoosh Is Struggling
- Tesla 401(k) Review: 50% Match Up to $3,000 — Is That Enough for TSLA Employees?
Puzzled on what to invest?
- We ask a few questions to decide your personal return and risk expectations
- We build a custom portfolio for your plan (401(k), 403(b), 529 …) or for a brokerage account
- We monitor and send timely rebalance emails on what investment funds to buy and sell
Looking for ideas to generate income?
- ETF or mutual fund income portfolios for 4-7% annual income
- Dividend stock funds
- Passive real estate investments
- more …
Portfolio Calculator (Simulator)
Customize Asset Allocation Portfolios
Retirement Calculator
Investment Calculator
Looking for a (forgotten) 401(k)?
Find plan contact info, plan expenses, investment options, rollover your old plan, or learn how to select investments on your 401k plan …
Keep researching MORGAN STANLEY 401(K) PLAN
Use the links below to move from this plan page into calculators, related retirement articles, and comparable plans in a similar industry or size band. That gives you a faster way to compare match design, fees, investments, and savings strategy in context.
Related Calculators
Related Plans
- TRAVELERS GROUP 401 K SAVINGS PLAN (71,993 participants, $7,249,437,275)
- FIDELITY RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN (90,445 participants, $34,201,609,937)
- FMR CORP. PROFIT SHARING PLAN (62,632 participants, $7,306,029,748)
- FMR LLC PROFIT SHARING PLAN (56,587 participants, $13,250,740,623)
- THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON CORPORATION 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN (43,704 participants, $9,909,165,024)