Feb
07
2025
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Debt Buyers vs Debt Collectors

By | Debt Payoff, personal_loan | Comments Off on Debt Buyers vs Debt Collectors

While these two services may sound similar, debt buyers purchase past-due accounts from lenders, whereas debt collectors work on behalf of whoever owns the debt in an attempt to get the borrower to pay.

If you find yourself struggling with debt, it’s important to understand what may happen to your debt so you can better work through the situation. That’s why it can be smart to know the difference between a debt buyer and a debt collector. Both of these services are used by lenders, like banks, to move debts off of their liability balance sheets.

Here, take a closer look at how each of these services operates.

Key Points

•   Debt buyers purchase past-due accounts from lenders.

•   Debt collectors work to collect debts for lenders or debt buyers.

•   Debt buyers often pay a fraction of the debt’s face value.

•   Debt collectors can report to credit bureaus.

•   Timely debt repayment helps avoid collection issues.

When and Why Do Companies Sell Your Debt?

A borrower will likely only ever deal with the company they’re borrowing from — so long as they make payments on their debt regularly and on time. However, if the borrower does not make timely payments, the debt may get sold to a third party, known as a debt buyer.

The lender will sell the debt in an effort to lower their liability. There’s no real timetable for when debt may be sold or go into collections — it can depend on the state you live in, the lender’s policies, and the type of debt it is. Debt collectors can then attempt to collect the debt from the debtor. They operate on behalf of the business that owns the debt, and their goal is to get the debtor to pay what they owe.

What Is a Debt Buyer?

A debt buyer is a company that purchases past-due accounts from a business, such as a bank or a credit card company. They typically purchase the debt for a small percentage of what’s actually due to the original lender. The amount a debt buyer pays for debt can vary, but it’s often just cents on the dollar.

For example, a debt buyer may only pay $100 for a $1,000 debt from the original lender. This means that if the new debt buyer actually collects the debt they purchased, they will make a $900 profit. Debt buyers can typically purchase older debt for even lower amounts because it’s less likely to actually get collected.

Debt buyers don’t typically do this as a one-off purchase. Instead, they’re usually in the business of purchasing many delinquent debts at once to increase their odds of turning a profit. This strategy has the potential to be quite lucrative. If, for example, a debt buyer purchases 10 different $1,000 debts at $100 apiece, the buyer needs just one person to pay their debt to break even, and just two out of the 10 people to pay their debts to turn a profit.

Recommended: Common Uses for Personal Loans

What Is a Debt Collector?

Debt collectors are third-party companies that collect debts on behalf of other companies. They can attempt to collect debts on behalf of the original lenders, or they can attempt to collect debts for debt buyers.

Debt-buying companies may also function as debt collection agencies to collect the debts they’ve purchased. But a debt-buying company can also assign debts to another third-party debt collecting company, paying it a portion of the profit they make when the debt is paid.

To get the debt paid, debt collectors will typically attempt to contact the original debtor through letters and phone calls, letting them know what’s owed and attempting to convince them to pay the debt. Collectors will often use the internet to find a person or even go as far as hiring a private investigator. Debt collectors also can look into a person’s other financial information, such as their bank or brokerage accounts, to assess if they’re theoretically able to repay their debts.

However, a debt collector typically cannot seize paychecks. The only way a collector may be able to seize a paycheck or garnish wages is if there is a court order, known as a judgment, requiring the debtor to pay. For this to happen, the debt collector must first take the debtor to court within the debt’s statute of limitations and win the judgment. Still, there could be other negative consequences, such as collectors reporting a debtor to credit agencies, which could affect their credit score for some time to come.

Debt collectors often get a bad reputation for using aggressive tactics. The federal government introduced the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to protect people from predatory practices. The law dictates certain reasonable limitations under which a debt collector can contact the debtor. If the collection company violates the law, the debtor could bring a lawsuit against it for damages.

Recommended: How to Finance a Wedding

How to Avoid Collections and Pay Off Debt

Paying off all debt on time is the best way to avoid encountering either a debt buyer or a debt collector. But if you’ve found yourself in debt, don’t despair. Rather, take a bit of time to plot out the best method of repayment for your financial situation, which could entail getting into the nitty gritty of your spending or crunching the numbers with a personal loan calculator.

Here are some of the different strategies to pay off debt you might consider:

•   Creating a monthly budget: This can help to track spending and identify potential areas to cut back in order to pay off debts faster. After sitting down and looking through your monthly expenditures, you might be surprised how much fat there is to trim. Then, put all of that extra cash toward paying down your debts.

•   Using the snowball or avalanche method: The snowball method focuses on paying off your debts in order of smallest to largest balances, while continuing to pay the minimum due on each debt. With the avalanche method, you’d target the debt with the highest interest rate first while continuing to make minimum payments on other debt balances. In both methods, after the first debt is paid off, the amount that was going toward that debt is put toward the second debt on the list, and so on, thus helping to pay down each consecutive balance as fast as possible.

•   Consolidating your debts: Another option to try is consolidating debts with a debt consolidation loan, which is one of the types of personal loan. Typically, a debt consolidation loan offers lower interest rates than credit card interest rates, which can make those debts more affordable and easier to pay off.

   This is why debt consolidation is among the common uses for personal loans. Plus, with a debt consolidation loan, you’ll just have one monthly payment to stay on top of.

Recommended: Get Your Personal Loan Approved

The Takeaway

A debt buyer vs. collector plays a different role when it comes to debt, but they are both parties you might encounter if you’re way past due on payments. Debt buyers purchase debt from lenders, often for pennies on the dollar. Debt collectors, however, can take a number of steps in an effort to collect owed debt on a company’s behalf, including reporting that debt to the credit bureaus. To avoid encountering either of these, consider ways to manage your debt more effectively.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.


SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Personal Loan overall.

Want to avoid debt collection? A personal loan with SoFi may help.

🛈 SoFi is not a debt buyer or debt collector. We offer products that may help you manage your debt.

FAQ

Do I have to pay debt if it’s been sold?

Yes, you still have to pay debt if it’s been sold. The difference is that you now need to pay the debt collector vs. the original creditor.

What is the 777 rule for debt collectors?

The 7-in-7 rule is a guideline established by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding how often a debt collector can contact a debtor in a seven-day period. They cannot call more than seven times in seven days, nor any sooner than seven days after having had a conversation with a debtor.

How much do debt buyers pay for debt?

While the exact figure will vary, data indicates that some debt buyers pay as little as four to five cents on the dollar when buying debt from credit card companies.

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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

This article is not intended to be legal advice. Please consult an attorney for advice.

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Feb
06
2025
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Average Student Loan Debt: Who Owes the Most?

By | Student Loans, student_loan | Comments Off on Average Student Loan Debt: Who Owes the Most?

For millions of students, pursuing a college degree means taking on some amount of debt. That’s because college costs have risen much faster than wages, and the average cost of a four-year degree has far outpaced the rate of inflation in the past 20 or so years.

Today, a typical student borrows more than $35,000 to pursue a bachelor’s degree. That amount can be even higher for students pursuing a degree needed for higher-paying jobs, such as those in medicine or law.

Here are the professions whose graduates, on average, owe the most. This list is not exhaustive, and rankings can change based on different data sets.

Key Points

•   The typical student in the U.S. borrows more than $35,000 in student loans to earn a bachelor’s degree. However, graduates of certain professions owe significantly more.

•   Oral surgeons, orthodontists, and radiologists face some of the highest average student loan debts.

•   With an average student loan debt of $584,000, oral surgeons hold some of the most substantial student debt.

•   High salaries for those with advanced degrees, such as oral surgeons and orthodontists do not always offset student loan debt burden.

•   Financial burdens can impact career and personal decisions for some professionals for many years post-graduation.

Average Student Loan Debt by Profession

While it’s true that jobs for people with higher degrees can pay in the six figures, student loan debt can make a significant cut into earnings. Considering student loan debt, along with salary, can give a more complete picture of what kind of financial future many graduates face.

1. Oral Surgeon

Even with a relatively high salary, oral surgeons typically graduate with a large student loan burden. The debt has a significant effect on their professional and personal decisions for decades to come, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

The organization has lobbied for student loan reform, including halting interest accrual on student loans during an internship or residency, making sure fair income-based repayment structures are in place, and allowing qualified participants in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) to have remaining loan balances forgiven earlier than the standard 10 years.

Average student loan debt: $584,000

Median salary: $334,310

2. Orthodontist

Like other dental school graduates, orthodontists may face substantial student loan debt. After dental school, orthodontists train for orthodontics during a residency that can last several years.

The American Association of Orthodontists has supported legislation aimed at student loan reform: “Reducing interest rates and fees and allowing refinancing for today’s graduates are critical steps to helping them repay these loans sooner and more efficiently so they can begin to invest in their futures and careers,” Dr. Nahid Maleki, a former association president, has said.

Average student loan debt: $570,000

Median salary: $243,620

3. Endodontist

Less than 3% of all dentists are endodontists, according to the American Association of Endodontists. Endodontists specialize in diagnosing and treating complex causes of tooth pain as well as root canal treatment. The field requires two to three years of education and training beyond dentistry. This means that endodontists may shoulder a greater debt burden than their dental school counterparts.

“The high cost of a dental or medical education is a crippling problem and threatens the future of our specialty,” Dr. Keith V. Krell, then president of the American Association of Endodontists, said. The organization has supported legislation to “funnel more money into dental schools so that unreasonable tuition costs can be offset.”

Average student loan debt: $544,000

Median salary: $263,789

4. Dentist

Many dental students bite off a lot of debt. While the dental industry can be thought of as relatively recession-proof (your aching tooth doesn’t care about market fluctuations), dental spending may become flat during and after lean times while the supply of dentists rises.

Navigating insurance as a dental practice can also be tricky for practice owners, and the field can be competitive and crowded for new dentists.

Average student loan debt: $296,500

Median dentist salary: $185,360

Recommended: Budgeting as a New Dentist

5. Radiologist

While radiologists can be high earners in the medical field, they also may hold a staggering amount of debt that accumulates during medical school and residency. The American College of Radiologists has supported legislation to halt interest accrual during residency.

Currently, residents can request deferment or forbearance on loans, depending on their circumstances, but even if granted, interest accrues. This can add thousands or tens of thousands of dollars to the balance of a radiologist’s student loan debt.

Refi now to pay off loans &
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Average student loan debt: $234,597

Median salary: $437,000

6. Obstetrician-Gynecologist

For many med students, medical residency is when student loan debt balloons. Unlike their high-earning counterparts who may immediately begin earning six-figure salaries after grad school, med students earn an average of $67,400 during residency.

During this time, interest may accrue on loans. Increasing patient loads, malpractice vulnerabilities, and more have led to burnout in this profession. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a shortage in the speciality may be on the horizon.

Average student loan debt: $234,597

Median salary: $336,000

7. Anesthesiologist

Residency requirements can cause interest accrual to add to the debt load of these medical professionals. The American Society of Anesthesiologists supports legislation that would allow borrowers to qualify for interest-free deferment on loans while in residency.

The legislation has been introduced to Congress but has not gained traction. The work of an anesthesiologist can be grueling: Some reports have shown that anesthesiologists have a higher risk of burnout than other physicians.

Average student loan debt: $234,597

Median salary: $339,470

8. Physician

Also called a doctor, primary care physician, or family practitioner, a physician is an essential element of primary care for all ages, and a point of contact who works with other doctors to diagnose and treat patients. Not a medical specialty, this umbrella term can also refer to pediatricians and internal medicine doctors.

While the career path may not be as lucrative as some specialized medical careers, it offers intangible benefits, such as control over your hours worked and the ability to get to know your patients, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

But the salary compared with student loan debt can make the debt burdensome. The AAFP has advocated for federal loans and scholarship programs that target primary and family care as well as interest deferment during residency.

Average student loan debt: $234,597

Median salary: $239,200

Recommended: Budgeting as a New Doctor

9. Osteopath

Members of one of the fastest-growing segments of health care, according to the American Osteopathic Association, osteopaths take a whole-person approach to medicine. Osteopaths may practice all medical specialties, but attend an osteopathic medical school where they receive specialized training in the musculoskeletal system.

The osteopathic association found that 86% of osteopathic medicine graduates have student loan debt. Like their medical school counterparts, osteopath students can be susceptible to burnout.

Average student loan debt: $257,335

Median salary: $206,351

10. Pharmacist

Pharmacists require undergraduate and graduate school degrees, and the career path can be varied upon graduation. Some pharmacists enter research and development, while others choose to work with patients in hospitals, clinics, or commercial settings.

This can allow for career flexibility for pharmacists, as they can balance family and personal obligations with a career. But student loan debt can become a burden for pharmacists that can affect their financial decisions for decades. As with other professions, the challenge becomes balancing debt with future financial goals such as saving adequately for retirement.

Average student loan debt: $170,956

Median salary: $136,030

11. Physician Assistant

Educated at the master’s degree level, a physician assistant can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication to patients and can often be a patient’s main health contact. A physician assistant does not have to go through the years of medical school and residency training of doctors but still must have hours of clinical experience.

The career is in demand, with three-quarters of graduates receiving multiple job offers after graduation, according to the American Association of Physician Assistants. But the student debt burden can be intense.

Average student loan debt: $112,000

Median salary $130,020

12. Lawyer

“Lawyer” has come to mean “high earner,” but the truth is much more nuanced. Lawyers have a large income discrepancy based on the type of law they pursue and the state they practice in. Some 71% of law school graduates have some form of student loan debt, and the average debt has risen in the past several decades.

For example, in 2000, law school graduates came out of the gate with an average of $59,000 (nearly $88,000, adjusted for inflation) in student loans, while today, new graduates have an average of $130,000 in cumulative debt. The American Bar Association has lobbied the government to provide student loan debt relief for lawyers.

Average student loan debt: $130,000

Median salary: $145,760

13. Physical Therapist

Physical therapists must earn a doctor of physical therapy degree, a three-year course after a bachelor’s degree. After graduation, physical therapists may do a residency or fellowship, or may begin practicing right away. Salaries can depend on the type of work a physical therapist pursues. Student debt can affect those decisions.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, 70% of respondents to a survey said debt caused anxiety. The association has been advocating for physical therapists on Capitol Hill, lobbying for more scholarship opportunities for therapists from underrepresented backgrounds and inclusion of physical therapists in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, a loan repayment program for health professionals.

Average student loan debt: $116,183

Median salary: $99,710

14. MBA Holder

Many people think a master of business administration degree (MBA) translates into a high-salary career, and while it’s true that graduates of top programs often receive high pay offers, top programs are expensive, and there’s no guarantee that a job will result. So is an MBA worth it? That depends on your career goals.

Some employers will offer full or partial tuition reimbursements to employees who pursue an MBA. Requirements vary by employer, but some expect employees to continue working during school. Though rigorous, this means that MBA students may not necessarily lose out on a salary while getting their graduate degree.

Average student loan debt: $81,218

Average salary: $120,000

15. Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists (OTs) need to obtain a master’s degree and satisfy licensing requirements, as well as supervised fieldwork. Like physical therapists, the salary progression for OTs depends on the type of work they pursue, and the type of work they pursue also affects the type of potential loan forgiveness that may work for their circumstances.

The American Occupational Therapy Association recognizes that many students graduate with student loan debt that can be tough to pay back on a median OT salary. The association actively lobbied for occupational therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure their interests were covered under the CARES Act.

Recommended: average student loan debt

Average student loan debt: Varies

Median salary: $96,370

16. Registered Nurse

Nursing salaries — and the student loan debt that nurses carry — depend on education level. Nurses who have a Master of Science in nursing have the most student loan debt, while those who have a bachelor’s degree or associate degree have lower debt, but may have lower salaries as well. Scholarship opportunities for nurses can limit the necessity of student loans, and some nurses may qualify for forgiveness opportunities, including the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the Nurse Corps Repayment Program, a federal program for nurses who work in high-need areas. Another option to consider is student loan refinancing for those who can qualify for a lower interest rate or more favorable loan terms. Just be aware that when you refinance, you will no longer have access to federal benefits such as forgiveness.

Recommended: Budgeting as a New Nurse

Average student loan debt (with master’s degree): $69,890

Median RN salary (with bachelor’s degree): $86,070

The Takeaway

The price of college has soared, and a typical student borrows around $35,530 to pursue a four-year degree. That amount can be substantially higher for students who choose more lucrative degrees, such as those in medicine and law. Orthodontists, for example, owe an average of $570,000 in school loan debt, while lawyers owe around $130,000 in school loan debt.

There are options to help borrowers manage their debt, such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, student loan repayment programs, and student loan refinancing.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.


With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

FAQ

How much student loan debt is there in the U.S.?

Currently, there is more than $1.77 trillion in outstanding student loan debt, and more than 42.7 million Americans have federal student loan debt.

Which major has the largest amount of student debt, and which major has the least amount of student debt?

Doctor of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration is the major with the largest median debt, at $310,330, according to the Education Data Initiative. An associate’s degree in Biological and Physical Sciences is the major with the smallest median debt, at $7,591.

Which age group holds the most student debt?

The most substantial amount of student debt is held by borrowers who are 35 to 49 years of age. As of late 2024, this group owed $634.8 billion dollars in student loan debt.

However, the age group that owes the most student loan debt per person is borrowers ages 50 to 61, who owe an average of $45,159. That’s followed closely by the 35 to 45 year-old group, who owe $43,479 per person.

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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Feb
06
2025
What Is an ESG Index? 5 ESG Indexes to Know

What Is an ESG Index? 5 ESG Indexes to Know

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Terminology | Comments Off on What Is an ESG Index? 5 ESG Indexes to Know

An ESG index consists of companies that meet certain criteria for environmental, social, and governance performance. An ESG index can be used as a benchmark for companies in that industry, region, or sector, just as a large-cap equity index like the S&P 500 can be used as a benchmark for the performance of large-cap U.S. stocks.

The challenge in most aspects of ESG or sustainable investing, including the construction of different indexes, is that most ESG standards are voluntary and can be inconsistent in the criteria and metrics they use to evaluate companies’ progress toward ESG goals, or mitigate ESG risks.

Nonetheless, recent research suggests that ESG investing strategies perform similar to conventional strategies. By knowing some of the top ESG indexes, then, it’s possible to invest in funds that track the performance of that index, and put your money toward companies whose aim is to focus on positive environmental, social, and corporate governance outcomes.

Key Points

•   An ESG index consists of companies that meet criteria for environmental, social, and governance standards.

•   An ESG index may also exclude certain companies or sectors (e.g. fossil fuels, gambling, adult entertainment) or those with low ESG scores.

•   An ESG index can be used as a benchmark for securities in an industry, region, or sector.

•   There are some 50,000 sustainability-oriented indexes, according to Morningstar.

•   Owing to inconsistency around ESG criteria and metrics, it can be difficult to evaluate companies’ progress toward ESG goals, or compare one company to another.

What Are ESG Indexes?

An index is a selection of companies that reflect the performance of a certain industry, region, or sector. There are thousands of indexes, and they are constructed as benchmarks of the performance of that part of the market: e.g., large-cap companies, tech companies, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, and so forth.

An ESG index focuses on companies that meet certain environmental, social, or governance standards. There are some 50,000 sustainability-oriented indexes, according to Morningstar. There are broad-based indexes as well as specific indices that focus on a certain industry, region, sector: e.g., renewable energy, water-treatment, carbon management, and so on.

Some ESG indexes may exclude companies that don’t match typical ESG criteria. For example, some ESG indexes exclude companies that manufacture certain types of weapons, are involved in gambling, or produce fossil fuels.

ESG indexes have become more common as investor interest in ESG investing strategies has grown.

Reason for ESG Indexes

Some investors believe in investing their money in the stocks of companies (or other securities) that reflect proactive values regarding the planet, society, and fair and ethical corporate structures. At the same time, adherence to ESG frameworks is considered by many stakeholders as a form of risk management.

For example, investors might choose to assess a company’s ESG scores or ratings to gauge its risk exposure (as well as possible future financial performance). Whether they invest online or using a brokerage, investors might want to know about a company’s environmental and social practices to inform their purchasing decisions.

While you cannot invest in an index, investors can gain exposure to ESG companies in an index by purchasing an index mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that seeks to replicate the performance of that index (a.k.a., passive investing).

There are hundreds of ESG index mutual funds and ETFs that investors can access.

ESG Criteria Explained

Although there isn’t a single set of ESG criteria investors can use to measure where companies stand in light of ESG goals or risk factors, it’s useful to know what different ESG scores and metrics are referring to.

Environmental Factors

The environmental component of ESG includes factors that impact the natural environment. These can be general, or tailored to specific industries, and may include:

•   Water, air, and other pollutants (e.g., toxic waste)

•   Hazardous waste management

•   Carbon emissions and mitigation efforts

•   Water conservation

•   Renewable energy use (such as solar, wind, biofuels)

Social Factors

The social component evaluates a company’s relationships to employees, vendors, and the surrounding community. Factors may include:

•   Worker safety

•   Diverse hiring practices

•   Employee pay and equity

•   Corporate investment in the community

•   Relationships with vendors

•   Supply chain management (fair labor use, sustainable sourcing, etc.)

Governance Factors

Governance refers to ethics and transparency in how a company is managed. For example:

•   Selection of board of directors

•   Executive compensation

•   Transparency toward shareholders

•   Accounting practices

•   Data privacy

Recommended: How to Invest in ESG Stocks

Mixed Growth in the ESG Sector

The ESG sector is still seeing some growth, although not as robust as in recent years. According to Morningstar, global ESG fund assets rose to $3.3 trillion in Q3 of 2024, from $3.1 trillion in Q2 ‘24, and roughly $2.8 trillion YOY, as of September 2024.

Yet ESG fund outflows in 2024 were the highest they’d been since Morningstar Sustainalytics started tracking them in 2015, at $19.6 billion, topping 2023, which saw outflows of $13.3 billion.

Also, the number of new ESG funds that were launched in 2024 was around 10, compared with more than 100 in 2021 and 2022 566 in 2023.

ESG vs Socially Responsible Investing: What’s the Difference?

There are various terms for investing according to a certain set of values — including impact investing and socially responsible investing (SRI) — and not all of them refer to green investing strategies. Some terms may be used interchangeably, but there are some key differences to understand.

•   Impact investing is a broad term that encompasses investors who seek measurable outcomes. Impact investing may or may not have anything to do with environmental or social factors.

•   Socially responsible investing is also a broader label, typically used to reflect progressive values of protecting the planet and natural resources, treating people equitably, and emphasizing corporate responsibility.

•   Securities that embrace ESG principles, though, may be required to adhere to specific standards for protecting aspects of the environment (e.g. clean energy, water, and air); supporting social good (e.g. human rights, safe working conditions, equal opportunities); and corporate accountability (e.g. fighting corruption, balancing executive pay, and so on).

ESG Investing Standards

That said, there isn’t one universal set of criteria that define an ESG investment or an ESG index. Rather, each ESG index and corresponding index fund is typically based on proprietary metrics of qualitative and quantitative factors relating to environmental, social, and governance factors.

These metrics may be formulated internally by investment managers/research teams, based on metrics established by popularly accepted ESG frameworks, or a combination of both.

While it’s clear where the money’s been trending with regards to ESG investments, prudent investors should still remain selective when it comes to picking an ESG fund, as how these indexes are constructed can sometimes be based on opaque methodologies.

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5 Commonly Used ESG Indexes

Following is an overview of five ESG indexes commonly used as benchmarks for some of the largest ESG index mutual funds.

1. S&P 500 ESG Index

The S&P 500 ESG Index consists of 307 domestic investments across the broader market. All firms included in the index must meet ESG criteria specified by S&P Dow Jones Indices.

ESG Criteria: According to S&P, the index uses an exclusionary methodology to filter out firms within the S&P 500 that partake in undesirable business activities, defined as follows:

•   Firms operating within the thermo coal, tobacco, and controversial weapons industries.

•   Companies that score within the bottom 5% of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).

•   Companies that score within the bottom 25% of ESG scores within each global GICs industry group.

For more detailed information on the construction and constituents of this index, see the S&P 500 EDG methodology.

2. Nasdaq-100 ESG Index

The Nasdaq-100 ESG Index consists of securities from the Nasdaq 100 that meet ESG criteria established by Nasdaq and Morningstar Sustainalytics. The parent index includes 100 of the largest domestic and international non-financial firms that trade on the Nasdaq exchange.

ESG Criteria: Firms must meet a number of requirements to qualify under the index. These are determined by an exclusionary screening process by Nasdaq, that removes companies based on environmental, social, and good governance criteria.

The constituents of the Nasdaq-100 ESG Index are further refined by criteria developed by Morningstar Sustainalytics. These include a number of standards and metrics:

•   ESG risk ratings

•   Impact metrics

•   Global standards screening

•   Carbon emissions data

For details on all the criteria used to select companies in this index see the Nasdaq-100 ESG Index Methodology.

3. MSCI KLD 400 Social Index

Established in 1990, the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index is one of the oldest socially responsible investing (SRI) indexes, making it a popular standard for evaluating long-term ESG performance.

The KLD 400 Social index consists of 400 U.S. securities that meet the ESG standards set by the MSCI ESG Research team.

ESG Criteria: MSCI uses the following methodology to determine eligibility and inclusion within the index.

•   Companies involved in nuclear power, tobacco, alcohol, gambling, military weapons, civilian firearms, GMOs, and adult entertainment are excluded.

•   Must have an MSCI ESG rating above “BB.”

•   Must have an MSCI Controversies score above “2.”

For more detail on the criteria used to select companies in this index, see the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index methodology.

4. MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index

The MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index selects constituents from the MSCI USA parent index using an optimization process that targets companies with high ESG ratings in each sector.

Companies that meet “business involvement criteria” in sectors such as tobacco, controversial weapons, producers of or ties to civilian firearms, thermal coal (and other fossil fuel companies), are excluded from the index.

The MSCI USA Index has 589 constituents while the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index has around 284, which means an exclusion of about 52%.

For more detail on the criteria used to select companies in this index, see the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index methodology.

5. FTSE US All Cap Choice Index

The FTSE U.S. All Cap Choice Index is part of the FTSE Global Choice Index Series, which is market-cap weighted. The index uses a rules-based methodology to exclude companies based on their involvement in business areas that could have a negative impact on the environment and/or society.

•   Vice-related industries (e.g. alcohol, tobacco, gambling, adult entertainment)

•   Non-renewable energy (e.g. fossil fuels, nuclear power)

•   Weapons (conventional military weapons, controversial military weapons, civilian firearms)

•   Companies are also excluded based on controversial conduct and diversity practices

For more details, please see the FTSE Global Choice Index series methodology.

ESG Investing Risks

As with all investments, the risks of choosing ESG-focused investments is that they may not necessarily outperform over your desired timeframe. There are also unique ESG risk factors to consider.

Diversification Risk

The primary risk of using an ESG-based strategy is the risk of underperformance and the risk of reduced diversification relative to cheaper, broader-market index funds.

This isn’t a surprise, as many of the top ESG indexes are market-cap (“capitalization”) weighted, which means that the largest firms in the index bear the greatest responsibility for changes in index values.

Given that some of the most popular ESG funds also track the performance of the broader-market indexes, this may make these particular funds less attractive as part of a diversified strategy.

Higher Costs

Another issue of concern is that some ESG funds charge higher fees and expense ratios relative to conventional funds.

While these fees aren’t necessarily head and shoulders above broader-market index funds, they can get progressively more expensive depending on how nuanced the fund’s investing strategy is. This is because ESG is a factor-based investment strategy which entails more complexity than traditional broader-market indexing.

Typically, the longer the time frame for comparison, the greater the risk for underperformance becomes, net of fees.

Inconsistency of ESG Standards

Perhaps the biggest drawback of ESG investing is the inconsistency around reporting, and the desire for more uniformity among which ESG frameworks are applied.

In other words, the ESG criteria established at one institution for their index or funds has little or no bearing on the ESG criteria employed by another firm.

Because sustainable investing has grown over the past decade, there has been an industry-wide movement towards greater consistency in ESG criteria and reporting. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has even recently undertaken efforts to codify aspects of financial reporting when it comes to ESG-related investments.

Nevertheless, these efforts remain in their early stages, and investors should continue to be discerning when it comes to picking ESG-linked investments.

Relevance of ESG Criteria

Existing ESG frameworks run the gamut when it comes to which metrics they choose to apply. For example, metrics related to carbon emissions may be relevant to heavy industry, but how relevant would those metrics be to the financial or technology sectors?

To address the issue of relevance, individual investors would do well to identify and assess when these solutions are applied.

Finally, expect to encounter data consistency issues when trying to quantify information that is naturally qualitative, particularly when management at each firm has wide discretion over how they choose to represent those metrics.

Benefits of ESG Investing

Some investors may be drawn to the potential advantages of ESG investing.

Investing With Values in Mind

Although it’s unclear whether ESG strategies make a tangible difference in the health of the environment, the well-being of society, or whether these strategies improve the quality of corporate governance, many investors appreciate the ability to invest in companies that espouse these values.

Moreover, as ESG strategies continue to expand, investors may choose from an even wider range of sustainable options that may align with their values: e.g., companies that support women, people of color, that focus on specific types of bio-techology, and so on.

Comparable Performance

As noted above, ESG strategies have come a long way in terms of assuaging investors’ fears of underperformance, or missing out on market returns.

While any strategy is subject to market volatility, and there are no guarantees of future performance, recent industry research suggests that ESG strategies perform comparably to conventional strategies over time.

Risk Management

Owing to the rise of climate-related disasters, worldwide viruses, and similar shared risk factors, companies must take new steps to protect themselves from these risks. Today, many ESG metrics take risk mitigation efforts into account.

The Takeaway

There’s no doubt that enthusiasm for ESG investing has grown over the past decade, and continues to gain traction. Understanding ESG indexes and how they apply sustainability rules and criteria to the companies in the index can help investors understand the corresponding index mutual funds and ETFs they may want to invest in.
Due to the sheer number of ESG-centric investments available to date, it’s a good idea to be selective when reviewing the underlying strategy of each fund, and understanding the underlying methodology of how each index constructs its portfolio.

Ready to start investing for your goals, but want some help? You might want to consider opening an automated investing account with SoFi. With SoFi Invest® automated investing, we provide a short questionnaire to learn about your goals and risk tolerance. Based on your replies, we then suggest a couple of portfolio options with a different mix of ETFs that might suit you.

Open an automated investing account and start investing for your future with as little as $50.

FAQ

What are the main components of ESG investments?

The main factors involved in ESG investing are how a company’s operations and products impact the environment (e.g., air, water, land, and other resources in the natural world); society (workers, community members, other stakeholders); and the overall governance of the company itself (e.g., its leadership, accounting practices, security measures).

How do ESG investments differ from traditional investments?

In order to be considered a type of ESG-focused investment, a company or security must meet certain standards in terms of the environment, society, and or its governance. These criteria are not generally applied to traditional or non-ESG securities.

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Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

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Shares of ETFs must be bought and sold at market price, which can vary significantly from the Fund’s net asset value (NAV). Investment returns are subject to market volatility and shares may be worth more or less their original value when redeemed. The diversification of an ETF will not protect against loss. An ETF may not achieve its stated investment objective. Rebalancing and other activities within the fund may be subject to tax consequences.
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Disclaimer: The projections or other information regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of future results.
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Feb
06
2025
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9 Types of Investments & Their Pros and Cons

By | Growing Wealth, Investing | No Comments
There are numerous different types of investments, ranging from stocks and bonds, to real estate and commodities. In tandem, these different types of investments can help investors build a diversified portfolio, and in effect, may help them reach their financial goals.

But having a solid understanding of the different types of investments is paramount, too, to creating and following through on an investment strategy. As such, you’ll want to at least have some baseline knowledge of each type — with that knowledge in-hand, you should hopefully be able to make financial decisions that align with your goals and strategy.

Key Points

•   Investing in a variety of assets can help investors target financial goals and balance risk.

•   Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, annuities, derivatives, commodities, real estate, and private companies are common investment types.

•   Each investment type offers unique benefits and drawbacks, such as stability or potentially higher returns in exchange for higher risk

•   Diversification through different investments can protect against market volatility and enhance returns.

•   Additional resources are available for in-depth learning about each investment type.

9 Common Types of Investments

Having different types of investments, as well as short-term vs. long-term investments can help you diversify your portfolio. All together, your portfolio should align with your financial or investment goals, and balance potential risks with potential returns — it isn’t easy, but it all starts with understanding what, exactly, you’re investing in. Here are some of the most common types of investments investors should know about.

1. Stocks

When you think of investing and investment types, you probably think of the stock market. A stock gives an investor fractional ownership of a public company in units known as shares.

Pros and Cons of Stock Investing

Here’s a brief rundown of the pros and cons of investing in stocks:

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Pros:

•   If the stock goes up, you can sell it for a profit.

•   Some stocks pay dividends to investors.

•   Stocks tend to offer higher potential returns than bonds.

•   Stocks are considered liquid assets, so you can typically sell them quickly if necessary.

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Cons:

•   There are no guaranteed returns. For instance, the market could suddenly go down.

•   The stock market can be volatile. Returns can vary widely from year to year.

•   You typically need to hang onto stocks for longer time periods to see potential returns.

•   You can lose a lot of money or get in over your head if you don’t do your research before investing.

Why Invest in Stocks?

Only publicly-traded companies trade on the stock market; private companies are privately owned. They can sometimes still be invested in, though the process isn’t always as easy and open to as many investors.

Further, investors may want to invest in stocks as stock can potentially make money in two ways: It could pay dividends if the company decides to pay out part of its profits to its shareholders, or an investor could sell the stock for more than they paid for it.

Some investors are looking for steady streams of income and therefore pick stocks because of their dividend payments. Others may look at value or growth stocks, companies that are trading below their true worth or those that are experiencing revenue or earnings gains at a faster pace.

2. Bonds

Bonds are essentially loans you make to a company or a government — federal or local — for a fixed period of time. In return for loaning them money, they promise to pay it back to you in the future and pay you interest in the meantime. That stability is one reason many investors are interested in buying bonds, though it’s important to know they are not without risk.

Different Types of Bonds

Treasurys: These are bonds issued by the U.S. government. Treasurys (sometimes stylized as “Treasuries”) can have maturities that range from one-month to 30-years, but the 10-year note is considered a benchmark for the bond market as a whole.

Municipal bonds: Local governments or agencies can also issue their own bonds. For example, a school district or water agency might take out a bond to pay for improvements or construction and then pay it off, with interest, at whatever terms they’ve established.

Corporate bonds: Corporations also issue bonds. These are typically given a credit rating, with AAA being the highest. High-yield bonds, also known as junk bonds, tend to have higher yields but lower credit ratings.

Mortgage and asset-backed bonds: Sometimes financial institutions bundle mortgages or other assets, like student loans and car loans, and then issue bonds backed by those loans and pass on the interest.

Zero-coupon bonds: Zero-coupon bonds may be issued by the U.S. Treasury, corporations, and state and local government agencies. These bonds don’t pay interest. Instead, investors buy them at a great discount from their face value, and when a bond matures, the investor receives the face value of the bond.

Pros and Cons of Bond Investing

Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons of bond investments:

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Pros:

•   Bonds offer regular interest payments.

•   Bonds tend to be lower risk than stocks.

•   Treasurys are generally considered to be safe investments.

•   High-yield bonds tend to pay higher returns and they have more consistent rates.

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Cons:

•   The rate of returns with bonds tends to be much lower than it is with stocks.

•   Bond trading is not as fluid as stock trading. That means bonds may be more difficult to sell.

•   Bonds can decrease in value during periods of high interest rates.

•   High-yield bonds are riskier and have a higher risk of default, and investors could potentially lose all the money they’ve invested in them.

Why Invest in Bonds?

When it comes to bonds vs. stocks, the former are typically backed by large companies or the full faith and credit of the government. Because of this, they’re often considered lower risk than stocks.

However, the risk of investing in bonds varies, and bonds are rated for their quality and credit-worthiness. Because the U.S. government is less likely to go bankrupt than an individual company, Treasury bonds are considered to be some of the least risky investments. Note, though, that they also tend to have lower returns.

3. Mutual Funds

A mutual fund is an investment managed by a professional. Funds often focus on an asset class, industry or region, and investors pay fees to the fund manager to choose investments and buy and sell them at favorable prices.

Index Funds

While mutual funds offer certain advantages to investors, those interested in a more passive approach may prefer index funds. Index funds are a form of passive investment, which means they’re not actively-managed, and instead, aim to track a market index, or portion of the market, such as the S&P 500 or something similar.

Pros and Cons of Investing in Mutual Funds

Here are some of the pros and cons of investing in mutual funds:

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Pros:

•   Mutual funds are easy and convenient to buy.

•   Since they offer portfolio diversification, they may carry less risk than individual stocks.

•   A professional manager chooses the investments for you.

•   You earn money when the assets in the mutual fund rise in value.

•   There is potential dividend reinvestment, meaning dividends can be used to buy additional shares in the fund, which could help your investment grow.

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Cons:

•   There is typically a minimum investment you need to make.

•   Mutual funds typically require an annual fee called an expense ratio and some funds may also have sales charges.

•   Trades are executed only once per day at the close of the market, which means you can’t buy or sell mutual funds in real time.

•   The management team could be poor or make bad decisions.

•   You will generally owe taxes on distributions from the fund.

Why Invest in Mutual Funds?

Investors may be interested in mutual funds because they offer a sort of out-of-the-box diversification, with exposure to many different types of securities or assets in one package. They’re also managed by a professional, which some investors may find attractive. On the other hand, they may have higher fees, and it’s always important to remember that past performance isn’t indicative of future performance, either.

4. ETFs

Exchange traded funds, or ETFs, are in some ways similar to a mutual fund, but there are key differences. One of the main differences is that ETFs can be traded on a stock exchange, giving investors the flexibility to buy and sell throughout the day. In addition, ETFs tend to be passive investments that track an underlying index. They also come in a range of asset mixes.

Pros and Cons of ETFs

Here’s a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of investing in ETFs:

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Pros:

•   ETFs are easy to buy and sell on the stock market.

•   They often have lower annual expense ratios (annual fees) than mutual funds.

•   ETFs can help diversify your portfolio.

•   They are more liquid than mutual funds.

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Cons:

•   The ease of trading ETFs might tempt an investor to sell an investment they should hold onto.

•   A brokerage may charge commission for ETF trades.This could be in addition to fund management fees.

•   May provide a lower yield on asset gains (as opposed to investing directly in the asset).

Why Invest in ETFs?

ETFs may be an attractive choice for some investors because they may offer built-in diversification, tons of choices, and typically have lower costs or associated fees than similar products, such as mutual funds. But they’re also subject to many of the same risks as other investments.

5. Annuities

An annuity is an insurance contract that an individual purchases upfront and, in turn, receives set payments. There are fixed annuities, which guarantee a set payment, and variable annuities, which put people’s payments into investment options and pay out down the road at set intervals. There are also immediate annuities that begin making regular payments to investors right away. (Note that SoFi Invest does not offer annuities to its members.)

Pros and Cons of Investing in Annuities

Here are some of the pros and cons of annuity investments:

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Pros:

•   Annuities are generally low risk investments.

•   They offer regular payments.

•   Some types offer guaranteed rates of return.

•   May provide a supplemental investment for retirement.

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Cons:

•   Annuities typically offer lower returns compared to stocks and bonds.

•   They typically have high fees.

•   Annuities can be complex and difficult to understand.

•   It can be challenging to get out of an annuities contract.

Why Invest in Annuities?

Investors may like that there are so many different types of annuities to invest in, and the fact that they can offer guaranteed and predictable payments, tax-deferred growth, and low-stress management. However, they do often have lower interest payments compared to bonds, there can be penalties for early withdrawals, and associated fees.

6. Derivatives

There are several types of derivatives, but two popular ones are futures and options. Futures contracts are agreements to buy or sell something (a security or a commodity) at a fixed price in the future.

Meanwhile, in options trading, buyers have the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a set price. A derivatives trading guide can be helpful to learn more about how these investments work.

Pros and Cons of Options Trading

Here are some of the pros and cons to derivative investments:

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Pros:

•   Derivatives allow investors to lock in a price on a security or commodity.

•   They can be helpful for mitigating risk with certain assets.

•   They have the potential to provide returns when an investor sells them.

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Cons:

•   Derivatives can be very risky and are best left to traders who have experience with them.

•   Trading derivatives is very complex.

•   Because they expire on a certain date, the timing might not work in your favor.

Why Investors Trade Options

Trading options is a fairly high-level investment activity — it’s not for everyone. There can be significant risks, and options trading strategies can be complex. That said, trading options has the potential to be profitable for experienced investors.

7. Commodities

A commodity is a raw material — such as oil, gold, corn, or coffee. Trading commodities has a reputation for being risky and volatile. That’s because they’re heavily driven by supply and demand forces. Say for instance, there’s a bad harvest of coffee beans one year. That might help push up prices. But on the other hand, if a country discovers a major oil field, that could dramatically depress prices of the fuel.

Pros and Cons of Commodity Trading

Here are some pros and cons of commodity trading:

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Pros:

•   Commodities can diversify an investor’s portfolio.

•   Commodities tend to be more protected from the volatility of the stock market than stocks and bonds.

•   Prices of commodities are driven by supply and demand instead of the market, which can make them more resilient.

•   Investing in commodities can help hedge against inflation because commodities prices tend to rise when consumer prices do.

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Cons:

•   Commodities are considered high-risk investments because the commodities market can fluctuate based on factors like the weather. Prices could plummet suddenly.

•   Commodities trading is often best left to investors experienced in trading in them.

•   Commodities offer no dividends.

•   An investor could end up having to take physical possession of a commodity if they don’t close out the position, and/or having to sell it.

Why Invest in Commodities?

Investors have several ways they can gain exposure to commodities. They can directly hold the physical commodity, although this option is very rare for individual investors (Imagine having to store barrels and barrels of oil).

So, many investors wager on commodity markets via derivatives — financial contracts whose prices are tied to the underlying raw material. For instance, instead of buying physical bars of precious metals to invest in them, a trader might use futures contracts to make speculative trades on gold or silver. Another way that retail investors may get exposure to commodities is through exchanged-traded funds (ETFs) that track prices of raw materials.

That said, there are risks associated with commodities trading, and investors may want to ensure that it aligns with their investment strategy and goals before getting started.

8. Real Estate

Owning real estate, either directly or as part of real estate investment trust (REIT) investing or limited partnerships, gives you a tangible asset that may increase in value over time. If you become invested in real estate outside of your own home, rent payments can be a regular source of income. However, real estate can also be risky and labor-intensive.

Pros and Cons of Investing in Real Estate

Consider these pros and cons of investing in real estate (REITs, in particular):

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Pros:

•   Real estate is a tangible asset that tends to appreciate in value.

•   There are typically tax deductions and benefits, depending on what you own.

•   Investing in real estate, such as through a REIT, can help diversify your portfolio.

•   By law, REITs must pay 90% of their income in dividends.

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Cons:

•   Real estate is typically illiquid, although REIT investments offer more liquidity than property.

•   There are constant ongoing expenses and work needed to maintain a property.

•   REITs are generally very sensitive to changes in interest rates, especially rising rates.

•   With a REIT, dividends are taxed at a rate that’s usually higher than the rate for many other investments.

Why Invest in Real Estate?

Investing in real estate may help diversify a portfolio, generate recurring cash flow (from rent, or dividends), or enable ownership of a tangible asset that may increase in value over time. However, investments may be subject to changes in the real estate market, such as rising and falling interest rates and regulatory changes, and are often better suited for longer-term investments.

9. Private Companies

Only public companies sell shares of stock, however private companies do also look for investment at times — it typically comes in the form of private rounds of direct funding. If the company you invest in ends up increasing in value, that can pay off, but it can also be risky.

Pros and Cons of Investing in Private Companies

Here are some pros and cons of investing in private companies:

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Pros:

•   Potential for good returns on your investment.

•   Lets investors get in early with promising startups and/or innovative technology or products.

•   Investing in private companies can help diversify your portfolio.

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Cons:

•   You could lose your money if the company fails.

•   The value of your shares in the company could be reduced if the company issues new shares or chooses to raise additional capital. Your shares may then be worth less (this is known as dilution).

•   Investing in a private company is illiquid, and it can be very difficult to sell your assets.

•   Dividends are rarely paid by private companies.

•   There could be potential for fraud since private company investment tends to be less regulated than other investments.

Tips for Investing in IPOs

Investing in companies that are going public for the first time via an IPO can be attractive to investors who think the company has potential — IPO investing is fairly popular, but can be risky. With that in mind, if you do want to invest in companies going public, you’ll want to do your homework, and review filings and disclosures the company has filed with regulators, and anything else you might come across that could help inform your decision.

And remember, too, that IPO investing is generally considered high risk – a hot new stock can lose steam just as easily as it can gain it.

Investment Account Options

An investor can put money into different types of investment accounts, each with their own benefits. The type of account can impact what kinds of returns an investor sees, as well as when and how they can withdraw their money.

401(k)

A 401(k) plan is a retirement account provided by your employer. You can often put money into a 401(k) account via a simple payroll deduction, and in a traditional 401(k), your contribution isn’t taxed as income. Many employers will also match your contributions to a certain point. The IRS puts caps on how much you can contribute to a 401(k) annually.

Pros and Cons of 401(k)s

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Pros:

•   Contributions you make to a 401(k) can reduce your taxable income. The money is not taxed until you withdraw it when you retire.

•   Contributions can be automatically deducted from your paycheck.

•   Your employer may provide matching funds up to a certain limit.

•   You can roll over a 401(k) if you leave your job.

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Cons:

•   There is a cap on how much you can contribute each year.

•   Most withdrawals before age 59 ½ will incur a 10% penalty.

•   You must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional 401(k) plans when you reach a certain age. (Roth 401(k)s are not subject to RMDs during the account holder’s lifetime.)

•   You may have limited investment options.

IRA

IRA stands for “individual retirement account” — so it isn’t tied to an employer. There are IRS guidelines for IRAs, but, essentially, they’re retirement accounts for individuals. IRAs allow people to set aside money for retirement without needing an employer-backed 401(k).

With a traditional IRA, individuals contribute pre-tax dollars to the account, up to the annual limit. Those contributions are tax-deferred, meaning you don’t need to pay taxes on those funds (and their earnings) until they’re withdrawn in retirement. With a Roth IRA, however, you can contribute after-tax dollars up to the annual limit. Those funds and their earnings are not subject to taxes when qualified withdrawals are made.

Pros and Cons of IRAs

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Pros:

•   IRA accounts are tax advantaged: Earnings grow tax-deferred for traditional IRAs and tax-free free for Roth IRAs.

•   You can choose how the money is invested, giving you more control.

•   Those aged 50 and over can contribute an extra $1,000 in catch-up contributions.

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Cons:

•   Relatively low annual contribution limits ($7,000 in both 2024 and 2025).

•   There is a 10% penalty for most early withdrawals before age 59 ½.

  

Brokerage Accounts

A brokerage account is a taxed account through which you can buy most of the investments discussed here: stocks, bonds, ETFs. Some brokerage firms charge fees on the trades you make, while others offer free trading but send your orders to third parties to execute — a practice known as payment for order flow. Investors can be taxed on any realized gains.

You might also consider enlisting the help of a wealth manager or financial advisor who can provide financial planning and advice, and then manage your portfolio and wealth. Typically, these advisors are paid a fee based on the assets they manage.

There are even a number of investment options out there not listed here — like buying into a venture capital firm if you’re a high-net-worth individual or putting funding into your own business.

Pros and Cons of Brokerage Accounts

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Pros:

•   Offer flexibility to invest in a wide range of assets.

•   Brokerage accounts provide the potential for growth, depending on your investments. However, all investments come with risks that include the potential for loss.

•   You can contribute as much as you like to a brokerage account.

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Cons:

•   You must pay taxes on your investment income and capital gains in the year they are received.

•   Investments in brokerage accounts are not tax deductible.

•   There is a risk that you could lose the money you invested.

The Takeaway

It might still seem overwhelming to figure out what kinds of investments will help you achieve your goals. There are different investment strategies and finding the right one can depend on where you are in your career, what your financial goals are and how far away retirement is. Options such as index funds and ETFs may help provide immediate diversification, while a financial professional can help advise you on how you might build your portfolio so that it aligns with your objectives.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

What is the most common investment type?

Stocks are one of the most common and well-known types of investments. A stock gives an investor fractional ownership of a public company in units known as shares.

How do I decide when to invest?

Some prime times to start investing include when you have a retirement fund at work that you can contribute to and that your employer may contribute matching funds to (up to a certain amount); you have an emergency fund of three to six months’ worth of money already set aside and you have additional money to invest for your future; there are financial goals you’re ready to save up for, such as buying a house, saving for your kids’ college funds, or investing for retirement. Please remember you need to consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance when deciding the “right” time to start investing.

Should I use multiple investment types?

Yes. It’s wise to diversify your portfolio. That way, you’ll have different types of assets which will increase the chances that some of them will do well even when others don’t. This will also help reduce your risk of losing money on one single type of investment. In short, having a diverse mix of assets helps you balance risk with return. However, diversification does not eliminate all risk.

SoFi Invest®

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.


Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): Investors should carefully consider the information contained in the prospectus, which contains the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other relevant information. You may obtain a prospectus from the Fund company’s website or by email customer service at https://sofi.app.link/investchat. Please read the prospectus carefully prior to investing.
Shares of ETFs must be bought and sold at market price, which can vary significantly from the Fund’s net asset value (NAV). Investment returns are subject to market volatility and shares may be worth more or less their original value when redeemed. The diversification of an ETF will not protect against loss. An ETF may not achieve its stated investment objective. Rebalancing and other activities within the fund may be subject to tax consequences.
Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire amount invested in a short period of time. Before an investor begins trading options they should familiarize themselves with the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options . Tax considerations with options transactions are unique, investors should consult with their tax advisor to understand the impact to their taxes.
Claw Promotion: Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $50 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

SOIN-Q424-097

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Feb
06
2025
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What Is a Good 401(k) Expense Ratio?

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Preparing for Retirement | Comments Off on What Is a Good 401(k) Expense Ratio?

A 401(k) plan doesn’t have an expense ratio, per se, but the overall cost of the plan includes the expense ratios of the funds in an investor’s account, as well as other charges like plan administration fees and the like.

With that in mind, generally, the lower the fees for the plan the better, including the expense ratios of the investments in the account, because fees can lower portfolio growth substantially over time. While investors don’t have control over the basic costs of their 401(k) plan, they can opt to choose investments with lower expense ratios, e.g. under 0.50% if possible. On average, 401(k) participants were paying roughly 0.5% of plan assets as of 2021, according to some of the most recent available data as of early 2025.

Key Points

•   Understanding and managing 401(k) expense ratios is essential for enhancing retirement savings growth.

•   Actively managed funds have higher expense ratios, while passively managed funds have lower ratios.

•   Strategies to reduce 401(k) expenses include reading disclosures and evaluating fund options.

•   A good 401(k) expense ratio is generally under 0.50%, particularly for passive funds.

•   Consider a rollover IRA for potentially lower fees and a broader range of investment options.

What Are Reasonable Fees for a 401(k)?

In passively managed funds (where a portfolio mirrors a market index like the S&P 500), the expense ratio is typically lower as compared to actively managed funds, which might charge between 0.5% and 1.0% or more. Actively managed funds have a fund manager who employs different buying and selling strategies. Generally, this is because more work is being done on the manager’s part in an active strategy vs. a passive strategy.

As noted, 0.5% is more or less an average cost for many participants.

Note, too, that passive strategies generally have expense ratios under 0.50%. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) usually follow a passive strategy and can have expense ratios under 0.25%.

Expense ratios can vary among plans for a variety of reasons, including how the 401(k) account is managed, the administrative fees, the record-keeping costs, and so on. While investors don’t have any say over the built-in costs of the 401(k) plan — that’s set by the plan administrator and/or your employer — investors can manage their own investment costs.

To determine the amount you’re paying for a 401(k) plan, divide the total plan cost (usually available on your 401(k) statement) by your total investment.

Note that active investing can refer to individual investors, but the philosophy of making trades with the objective of exceeding market returns also drives actively managed funds.

Why Fees Matter

Over time, just one or even half a percentage point could potentially make an impact on a retirement account. That impact could in turn mean the difference between retiring when planned, vs. working a few more years until the overall investment grows. A lower expense ratio could help an investor retain more of the value of their 401(k).

For example, a well-known Government Accountability Office analysis from 2006 found that someone who invests $20,000 every year for 20 years in a 401(k) plan that costs 1.5% per year to operate is likely to end up with 17% less than someone whose plan costs just 0.50%. The analysis concluded that after 20 years, that half a percentage point meant the difference of more than $10,000. Similar studies on the impact of fees have found similar results.

Until relatively recently 401(k) expense ratio information wasn’t public, and even now it can be somewhat difficult to locate.

How to Reduce Your Expense Ratio

Before an investor can attempt to reduce their expense ratio, they need to be familiar with what it is.

Until relatively recently 401(k) expense ratio information was not public, and even now it can be somewhat difficult to locate. In 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved an amendment requiring the disclosure of these fees and expenses in mutual fund performance and sales materials.

Today, there are a few ways to get the information — and take action:

•   Read the fine print. Look closely at 401(k) participant fee disclosure notices, which participants should receive at least annually with any plan. Or look for the current information in a funder’s prospectus on their website. Building on the 2007 amendment, the DOL introduced a rule in 2012 to improve transparency around the fees and expenses to workers in 401(k) retirement plans.

•   Ask outright. Investors seeking more information might also choose to call their fund’s client services number directly to get the most up-to-date information on plan costs. Investors who work with a financial advisor can also ask their advisor for this information, as well as their opinions on these expenses.

◦   Evaluate your funds. It can also be helpful to look at the funds being offered by an employer, provider, or broker to see if there is a similar fund that comes with lower expenses. Investors may be able to find the investments they want at a cheaper price, even within their current 401(k) plan.

For investors whose 401(k) plan is not through a current full-time employer — a common situation when people change jobs — they may want to consider a rollover IRA in order to pay lower fees and gain access to a wider array of investments.

The Takeaway

There’s no magic number that indicates a 401(k) expense ratio is too high or just right, and all plans are different. Under federal law, employers have a fiduciary duty to offer reasonably priced options and to monitor the quality of the 401(k) plan they offer. The more an investor knows about their current plan, the better equipped they are to make compelling arguments for how to improve their plan.

Ready to invest for your retirement? It’s easy to get started when you open a traditional or Roth IRA with SoFi. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

Help build your nest egg with a SoFi IRA.

SoFi Invest®

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Claw Promotion: Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $50 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

SOIN-Q125-030

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