Lincoln Financial Group: Best Funds To Invest In

Lincoln Financial Group offers a range of investment options to help individuals achieve their long-term financial goals. With over 55 years of experience, the company provides investment, insurance, and retirement products, catering to a diverse range of clients, particularly individuals. Lincoln offers various funds, including the Lincoln Alliance® Program, American Funds-target-date funds, and the Multi-Fund® Group Variable Annuity. The company also provides access to a self-directed brokerage account through Schwab, allowing investors to explore thousands of additional investment choices. Before investing, it is essential to carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses associated with each fund. This introductory paragraph provides a glimpse into the investment opportunities and services offered by Lincoln Financial Group, setting the stage for further exploration of specific funds and strategies that align with individuals' financial aspirations.

Lincoln Alliance Program

Lincoln Investment is a financial advisory firm with over 55 years of experience in helping people achieve their financial goals. The company empowers its advisors to offer investors and employers quality investment, insurance, and retirement products. With $15.4 billion in assets under management, Lincoln Investment caters to a diverse range of clients, including individuals, charitable organizations, and corporations.

The Lincoln Alliance® Program is an investment option offered by Lincoln Financial that provides a simplified approach to creating a diversified investment portfolio. This program is suitable for those who want to start saving for their retirement but don't have the time or expertise to make individual investment decisions.

Here's how the Lincoln Alliance® Program works:

• All-in-one choice: This program offers an all-in-one model, allowing investors to get started without having to choose specific investments.
• Periodic rebalancing: Your portfolio will automatically rebalance periodically to maintain its target asset allocation.
• Investor Profile Quiz: To help determine the right risk-based model for your investments, you can take the Investor Profile Quiz.
• Investment choices: You have the option to choose your investments from the plan's lineup, giving you flexibility and control.
• Default Investment Alternative (DIA): If you don't elect your own investments, your contributions will be automatically invested in the plan's DIA, which is based on your target retirement age.
• Mutual funds: The program includes mutual funds, and investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. Prospectuses for the mutual funds are available, providing detailed information for prospective investors.
• Annuity products: Lincoln also offers group variable annuity products as investment options, providing additional diversification for your retirement contributions.

The Lincoln Alliance® Program provides a comprehensive approach to retirement planning, offering a range of investment choices and the convenience of automatic rebalancing. By carefully considering your risk tolerance and financial goals, you can make informed decisions about your investments and work towards a secure financial future.

American Funds-target-date funds

Lincoln Financial Group offers a range of investment options, including the American Funds Target Date Retirement Series®. This series consists of 11 funds, each designed with a specific retirement date in mind, ranging from 2010 to 2060 in five-year increments. These funds are ideal for those who want a simple, all-in-one investment choice for their retirement plan.

Each of the American Funds Target Date funds is a diversified retirement investment, consisting of a mix of mutual funds. These funds are managed by investment professionals and are periodically adjusted over time. When an investor chooses a target date fund, they typically select the one nearest their anticipated retirement date. The fund then gradually shifts from a growth-oriented strategy to a more income-oriented focus as the target date approaches. This gradual transition is known as a "glide path."

The American Funds Target Date Retirement Series® offers several benefits. Firstly, each fund is made up of a broad range of investments, which helps to reduce volatility when saving for retirement. Secondly, the funds are professionally managed, and investment professionals invest their own money in them, ensuring alignment with investors' interests. Additionally, the series benefits from unparalleled stock-picking, according to Morningstar, and has relatively low fees compared to other investment options.

It is important to note that while the target date funds are managed based on an anticipated retirement date, the allocation strategy does not guarantee that investors' retirement goals will be met. Investors should carefully consider their own financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment objectives before selecting any investment option. Consulting with a financial professional can help individuals determine if a target date fund aligns with their specific needs and preferences.

Multi-Fund Group Variable Annuity

Lincoln Financial Group offers a Multi-Fund® Group Variable Annuity product as an investment option for your contributions. Variable annuities are long-term investment products designed for retirement purposes and are subject to market fluctuations, investment risk, and the possible loss of principal. They contain both investment and insurance components and have associated fees and charges, including mortality and expense, administrative, and advisory fees. Optional features are available for an additional charge.

The annuity's value fluctuates with the market value of the underlying investment options, and all assets accumulate tax-deferred. Withdrawals of earnings are taxable as ordinary income and, if taken before the age of 59 and a half, may be subject to an additional 10% federal tax. Withdrawals will also reduce the death benefit and cash surrender value.

The Multi-Fund® variable annuities are issued by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and distributed by Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc., a broker-dealer. The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company does not solicit business in the state of New York, nor is it authorised to do so. Contractual obligations are subject to the claims-paying ability of The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company.

Some investment options may not be available in all states, and your employer may restrict the availability of some investment options. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate, so when withdrawn from the contract, it may be worth more or less than the original cost.

There is no additional tax-deferral benefit for an annuity contract purchased in an IRA or other tax-qualified plan. This product is not available in New York.

Lincoln's Default Investment Alternative (DIA)

The DIA is a type of Qualified Default Investment Alternative (QDIA), which is a fund that plan fiduciaries can designate as a "default" fund. If a participant fails to make an investment election, their funds are invested in the "default" fund. A QDIA must be either managed by an investment manager or an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. It must also be diversified to minimise the risk of large losses and cannot impose financial penalties or restrict the ability of a participant to transfer their investment to another alternative.

Before investing in a QDIA, participants must be given an advance notice describing the circumstances under which their assets will be invested in the QDIA, the investment objectives of the QDIA, and their right to direct investments out of the QDIA. This notice must be provided at least 30 days in advance of the date of plan eligibility or the first investment in a QDIA. An annual notice must also be provided at least 30 days in advance of each subsequent plan year.

It is important to note that investing in a QDIA does not guarantee against investment losses, and the principal value is not guaranteed at any time, including at the target date.

Lincoln Investment's services for educators and non-profit employees

Lincoln Investment has been helping people realize their financial goals for over 55 years. They offer investment, insurance, and retirement products and services to investors and employers. Their services are designed to help clients achieve their long-term financial goals.

Lincoln Investment Services for Educators and Non-Profit Employees

Educators and non-profit employees can benefit from Lincoln Investment's retirement planning services. They can take advantage of a unique opportunity to add a 403(b) tax-sheltered account to their retirement savings strategy. With 55 years of experience in 403(b) plans, Lincoln Investment helps turn savers into investors and makes financial well-being accessible to everyone.

Lincoln Investment's advisors create tailored strategies that consider specific needs, comfort levels, and financial goals. They offer flexibility and freedom of choice to their advisors, empowering them to succeed in the competitive industry.

Additionally, Lincoln Investment provides economic updates, market reviews, and guidance during times of uncertainty. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a diverse portfolio and sticking to one's investment strategy during market shocks.

Investment Options

Lincoln Investment offers various investment options to suit different needs and preferences. They provide:

• All-in-one models, such as the Lincoln Alliance® Program, which periodically rebalance the portfolio to its target asset allocation.
• Investor Profile Quiz to help determine which all-in-one risk-based model is suitable.
• Access to a self-directed brokerage account through Schwab, offering additional investment choices like mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and ETFs.
• Group variable annuity products as an investment option for contributions.

Lincoln Alliance® Program

The Lincoln Alliance® program includes services provided by Lincoln Retirement Services Company, LLC, and Lincoln Financial Group Trust Company, Inc. It also offers wholesale marketing and distribution services through Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc. (LFD), a wholesale broker-dealer.

Variable Annuities

Variable annuities are long-term investment products designed for retirement, subject to market fluctuations, investment risks, and possible loss of principal. They combine investment and insurance components and carry fees and charges. Withdrawals made before the age of 59½ may be subject to an additional 10% federal tax.

Risks and Considerations

Investors are advised to carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses associated with any investment product. Investment values can fluctuate with market conditions, resulting in potential losses. Investments are not FDIC-insured and may lose value.

Lincoln Investment emphasizes that maintaining a diverse portfolio and sticking to one's investment strategy during uncertain times can better prepare investors for market shocks.

Frequently asked questions