Northwestern Mutual Life Ins. CO. 401(k): best low-cost funds
The Northwestern Mutual Employee Savings Plan · Plan #005 · Milwaukee, WI
Suggested simple Boglehead mix
- US stocks (~60%): Vftc Inst TOT Stock Mrkt Index TR
- International stocks (~20-30%): Vftc Developed Mrkts Index Trust
- Bonds (~10-20%): Vftc Inst TOT Bond Mrkt Index Trust
Example built from fund names in the filing. Confirm these are on your current menu and check their expense ratios. Adjust the bond share for your age and risk tolerance.
Know this plan's fund menu? Submit it and we'll add a fund-by-fund pick list.
Pooled funds named in the filing (Schedule D)
These are collective trusts and similar pooled funds the plan reported holding. Names that look like index funds are tagged index by keyword, so check them yourself. Mutual funds are not listed by name in the free data.
| Fund | Manager | Type | Plan's holding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vftc Inst TOT Stock Mrkt Index TR index | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $265.7M |
| Jpmcb Large CAP Growth Fund; Cf-a C | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.a. | Common/collective trust | $109.5M |
| Vftc Target Retirement 2050 Trst I | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $90.9M |
| Vftc Target Retirement 2045 Trst I | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $87.9M |
| Vftc Target Retirement 2035 Trst I | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $82.1M |
| Vftc Target Retirement 2040 Trst I | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $78.8M |
| Vftc Target Retirement 2055 Trst I | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $74.2M |
| Vftc Developed Mrkts Index Trust index | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $59.2M |
| Vftc Target Retirement 2030 Trst I | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $48.3M |
| Vftc Target Retirement 2060 Trst I | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $34.7M |
| Vftc Inst TOT Bond Mrkt Index Trust index | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $26.4M |
| Vftc Target Retirement 2025 Trst I | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $25.2M |
| Vftc Target Retirement 2065 Trst I | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $11.2M |
| Artisan MID CAP Growth Trust Tier 1 | SEI Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $7.5M |
| Vftc Target Retirement 2020 Trst I | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $7.4M |
| Vftc Target Retmnt. Income Trust I | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $6.2M |
| State Street Real Asset Fund Classc | State Street Global Advisors Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $5.5M |
| Vftc Target Retirement 2070 Trst I | Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company | Common/collective trust | $907,038 |
How plan assets are invested
| Category (Schedule H) | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Registered investment companies (mutual funds) | $305.9M | 10.6% |
| Common/collective trusts | $1.0B | 35.3% |
| Insurance co. general account | $1.6B | 53.7% |
| Participant loans | $12.3M | 0.4% |
Fees paid from plan assets
| Other administrative fees | $604,777 |
| Total administrative expenses | $604,777 |
Reported administrative expenses were about 0.022% of average plan assets, or about $48 per participant with a balance. This usually excludes fund expense ratios netted inside mutual funds and trusts.
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 & Schedules H/D, filing ID 20251009082802NAL0006681217001. EIN 390509570.
FAQ
What are the best low-cost funds in the Northwestern Mutual Life Ins. CO. 401(k)?
Based on public filings, index options include Vftc Inst TOT Stock Mrkt Index TR (US stocks), Vftc Developed Mrkts Index Trust (international stocks) and Vftc Inst TOT Bond Mrkt Index Trust (bonds). Confirm them against your current plan menu and fee disclosure.
Can I build a three-fund portfolio in the Northwestern Mutual Life Ins. CO. 401(k)?
It appears so: the filing lists a US stock index fund, an international index fund and a bond index fund. The split between them depends on your own goals and risk tolerance.
How big is the Northwestern Mutual Life Ins. CO. 401(k) plan?
The plan reported about $2.9B in net assets and 12,593 participants with balances for plan year 2024, according to its DOL Form 5500 filing.
Where does this data come from?
From public U.S. Department of Labor Form 5500 filings (EFAST2) and, where noted, the plan's SEC Form 11-K. Data can be outdated or incomplete, and this page is not financial advice.
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