Social(k) Blog

Social(k) adds ETF's as investment option for retirement plans

In our continued efforts to help support our valued partners, Social(k) is pleased to announce the addition of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) as the latest investment offering on our pure open architecture platform. Choose mutual funds or Exchange Traded Funds as investment options. Over 200 Environmental, Social and Governance, ESG, screened mutual funds and now over 200 screened ETF options as well.

Now you have investment flexibility to build a truly low-cost and diverse retirement plan program with:

• Access to over 900 individual Exchange Traded Funds, over 200 ESG screened ETFs
• Representing 60 asset classes
• Working in partnership with Fee Based Financial Advisors
• Incorporated into any plan type of size*
• Pricing as of 4:00pm
• Competitive pricing of 30 bps in addition to standard plan fees
• Available to plans with mutual funds schedule for early 2012

*For plans sold and set-up on the Social(k) platform after June 22, 2011

Featured EFT Providers:
• iShares
• Barclays
• First Trust
• PIMCO
• State Street

For information contact us at socialk.com or call us at 866-929-2525

Social Investment Forum Applauds Introduction of Bill Allowing Federal Employees to Select SRI Retirement Option (9/21/2010)

At Least 17 States Already Allow State Employees to Consider SRI Choice for Retirement Funds

The introduction of the Federal Employees Responsible Investment Act (FERIA), is a significant milestone for socially responsible and sustainable investing (SRI), proposing to grant federal employees the opportunity to select an SRI option in their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

The Social Investment Forum (SIF) commends Rep. Jim Langevin, the original sponsor of the bill, (D-R.I.) and original co-sponsors Reps. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Nita Lowey (D-NY) and James McGovern (D-MA) for their leadership on this legislation.

At least 17 states — Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin — already offer their employees the option of investing retirement dollars in SRI funds.

SIF CEO Lisa Woll said: “This measure would give federal employees the range of investment options that many state and private sector employees already have access to by allowing investments in at least one socially responsible index fund. Investors are increasingly turning to socially responsible and sustainable investment (SRI) options because good corporate governance and performance on social and environmental issues are often indicators of financial success, good management and less risk. Many federal employees enter the government to pursue social and environmental goals and are looking for investment options that work towards — rather than against — achieving those goals.”

Rep. Langevin said: “The reckless actions of financial institutions over the past few years provide a clear illustration of why we need to place a greater importance on good corporate governance. That is why I reintroduced the Federal Employees Responsible Investment Act — a bill I have sponsored for the past five years. Investing in companies that are committed to corporate responsibility and sustainability will have a positive impact on our financial system, as well as empower federal employees to reward companies that share their values.”

via Social Investment Forum: Press Release: Social Investment Forum Applauds Introduction of Bill Allowing Federal Employees to Select SRI Retirement Option (9/21/2010).

Retirement Account Balances (Updated 4/10)

The retirement savings of American households took a big hit when the stock market crashed in 2008. Recently, however, a good portion of these losses has been reversed. This fact sheet follows trends in retirement account balances since the beginning of 2005.

via Retirement Account Balances (Updated 4/10).

Social(k) CSRwire.com member page

Social(k) is a retirement plan platform with over 200 Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance, ESG, screened funds, rather than the usual one or two. In addition Social(k) offers over 2000 traditional funds to provide employees greater choice when determining portfolio mix. Social(k) is the first choice for mission driven organizations operating in a sustainable manner. Social(k) works with your existing advisor or we can refer someone from our network of over 500 advisors. Whether you have a plan or are just looking to offer one let us show you how we offer a sustainable investing advantage to your employees.

via Social(k) Corporate Social Responsibility News, Reports and Events – CSRwire.com.

To Roth or Not to Roth with Social(k)

To Roth or not to Roth

Many people are familiar with a Roth IRA. Put money away, after taxes are paid on those earnings, let the money grow tax differed in the IRA, then take tax-free distributions of the earnings.

Not a bad deal, lets go through it again.

Earn $40,000.

Pay taxes on all $40,000.

Put $5000 into Roth IRA, after tax.

$5000 grows to $75,000 over your lifetime.

Take original $5000 out – taxes were paid when that money was earned. Take $70,000 tax-free. Nothing due on earnings.

In a regular IRA you put $5000, before taxes, from earnings into same investments in IRA, grows to same $75,000 over time. Then pay taxes on all $75,000 when taking it out of IRA.

Pay taxes now on $5,000 and nothing later,

$70,000 distribution – tax-free.

Or,

Pay no taxes now on $5000 and pay taxes on full $75,000 taxable distribution.

Seems fairly straight forward, especially if you think taxes will be the same or possibly higher when you retire.

Here is where it gets interesting.

A Roth IRA has earnings limitations. If you earn over $120,000 as a

single person, or over $177,000 as a married person, you can not make a Roth contribution. Tough luck.

But wait……..

Making an employee contribution into a Roth ‘bucket’ in your 401(k) has no earnings limitation. You can put full employee contribution into the Roth ‘bucket’ not just $5,000.

If you earn $200,000, are over age 50, you can put $22,000 into the Roth 401(k) at work.

In 25 years that $22,000, earning 6% grows to $94421.16. The $22,000 had taxes paid when earned, but the growth $72,421.16 is never subject to taxes.

I’d call that the best kept secret out there.

This is an example and anyone interested in further information should contact a registered financial advisor, or ask about a Social(k) 401(k) / 403(b) at work.

ProxyDemocracy | For mutual fund owners

When you own shares in a mutual fund (as about half of Americans do), you take a stand on issues like executive compensation, labor standards, and global warming. That's because your mutual fund votes on these issues at shareholder meetings of the companies in which it invests.

via ProxyDemocracy | For mutual fund owners.

401khelpcenter.com – Social(k) Adds Tobacco-Free Funds to 401k Retirement Platform

SPRINGFIELD, MA, October 19, 2009 — Social(k), the nation's most diverse socially responsible (SRI) retirement platform, has now added the tobacco-free AHA Investments Funds to its roster of more than 150 socially responsible investment (SRI) funds in addition to 25 faith-based and 4000 traditional funds (most other retirement plans only offer one or two SRI funds). While several funds include tobacco in their social screens, the AHA Investment Funds are the first exclusively non-tobacco funds on the platform.

The AHA Investment Funds are a series of the CNI Charter Funds and are sponsored by the American Hospital Association (AHA. The Funds started in 1988 as a means to provide hospitals with tobacco-free investment opportunities and were opened to the general public in 2004. There are now five different investment options that are offered as part of the AHA Investment Funds ranging from conservative fixed income to all equity funds. For example, the AHA Socially Responsible Equity Fund incorporates both hard and social responsibility screening.

“With the addition of the AHA Investment Funds, Social(k) is expanding its offering of the nation's most broad selection of screened funds available on a retirement platform,” said Rob Thomas, president of Social(k). “Indeed, hospitals using the AHA Investment funds in endowments can now offer those same funds to employees!”

“We are excited about working with Social(k) to expand our reach to the millions of people interested in both tobacco-free and environmentally friendly retirement investing,” stated Chicago, IL-based Tim Solberg, AHA Investment Funds chief investment officer.

via 401khelpcenter.com – Social(k) Adds Tobacco-Free Funds to 401k Retirement Platform.

Social(k) : a natural fit

Most of us are too busy to think about retirement. While we give careful thought to the environmental impact of even the smallest decisions in life-paper or plastic?-we trust huge and often uncaring financial institutions to manage some of our most significant assets. Here's a new option. You still can be too busy to think about retirement, but at least you can rest assured that your social consciousness goals are being kept in mind.

via Social(k) : National.

B Corporation Member Profile: Social(k)

About Social(k)

Social(k) provides a paperless retirement platform for 401(k) and 403(b) plans, with more socially responsible and faith based screened funds than any other platform available. We have an open architecture platform; we do not force you to use funds from any specific group or fund family. We are fully bundled and offer full service recordkeeping, testing and annual reporting.

Becoming a Founding B Corporation was an easy decision for Social(k). Our company mission statement and goals are perfectly aligned with those of a B Corp.

Social(k) is committed to working with companies looking to make a positive impact to the local and global communities we all share. Currently we are making an annual donation to Heifer International for each plan, every year the plan is with Social(k). This has allowed us to be a proud member of 1% For The Planet, even our B Corp certification fees count toward 1% FTP contributions.

via B Corporation.

Green America: Newsroom: Co-op America Teams with Social(k) to Offer Socially Responsible Retirement Program

Washington, DC – Co-op America, a national non-profit organization that promotes social justice and environmental sustainability, today announced it is teaming with Springfield, MA-based Social(k) to offer 3,500 Co-op America's Green Business Network™ members the new and most diverse 401(k) platform of socially responsible investment (SRI) funds available.

“Investors are increasingly turning to SRI funds because they actively promote responsible corporate conduct on important social and environmental issues such as climate change, as opposed to conventional funds which fail to take account of these issues. Recently Co-op America submitted over 38,000 signatures from concerned investors to American Funds, Fidelity and Vanguard asking them to take global warming seriously and vote their proxies in favor of climate change resolutions,” said Denise Hamler, Co-op Business Division Director. “None of the largest mutual fund companies in the U.S. vote their proxies in favor of climate change resolutions at companies they hold which is just one reason why many socially and environmentally responsible businesses want to offer their employees access to SRI funds. Social(k) offers these businesses an opportunity to provide a wide range of SRI investment options that take environmental and social concerns seriously.”

via Green America: Newsroom: Co-op America Teams with Social(k) to Offer Socially Responsible Retirement Program.

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Recent Posts

Social(k) adds ETF's as investment option for retirement plans

Social Investment Forum Applauds Introduction of Bill Allowing Federal Employees to Select SRI Retirement Option (9/21/2010)

Retirement Account Balances (Updated 4/10)

Social(k) CSRwire.com member page

To Roth or Not to Roth with Social(k)

ProxyDemocracy | For mutual fund owners

401khelpcenter.com – Social(k) Adds Tobacco-Free Funds to 401k Retirement Platform

Social(k) : a natural fit

B Corporation Member Profile: Social(k)

Green America: Newsroom: Co-op America Teams with Social(k) to Offer Socially Responsible Retirement Program

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