Sanford 401(k): best low-cost funds
Sanford Retirement Savings Plan · Plan #002 · Fargo, ND
Suggested simple Boglehead mix
The public data doesn't show enough index funds from this plan to suggest a full mix. A typical Boglehead approach: look in your menu for a US total market or S&P 500 index fund, an international index fund, and a US bond index fund, all with expense ratios under about 0.10%. Or use one low-cost target-date index fund. How the 3-fund portfolio works.
Know this plan's fund menu? Submit it and we'll add a fund-by-fund pick list.
Pooled funds named in the filing (Schedule D)
These are collective trusts and similar pooled funds the plan reported holding. Names that look like index funds are tagged index by keyword, so check them yourself. Mutual funds are not listed by name in the free data.
| Fund | Manager | Type | Plan's holding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prin Lifetime HY 2050 CIT T | Principal Global Investors Trust CO | Common/collective trust | $535.1M |
| Prin Lifetime HY 2040 CIT T | Principal Global Investors Trust CO | Common/collective trust | $453.4M |
| Prin Lifetime HY 2030 CIT T | Principal Global Investors Trust CO | Common/collective trust | $376.5M |
| Prin Largecap Growth I Sa-z | Principal Life Insurance Company | Pooled separate account | $262.3M |
| Prin Lifetime HY 2045 CIT T | Principal Global Investors Trust CO | Common/collective trust | $199.2M |
| Prin Lifetime HY 2055 CIT T | Principal Global Investors Trust CO | Common/collective trust | $196.2M |
| Prin Lifetime HY 2060 CIT T | Principal Global Investors Trust CO | Common/collective trust | $145.2M |
| Prin Lifetime HY INC CIT T | Principal Global Investors Trust CO | Common/collective trust | $140.4M |
| Prin Lifetime HY 2035 CIT T | Principal Global Investors Trust CO | Common/collective trust | $130.3M |
| Prin Smcap S&P 600 Index Sa-z index | Principal Life Insurance Company | Pooled separate account | $111.8M |
| Prin Midcap S&P 400 IDX Sa-z index | Principal Life Insurance Company | Pooled separate account | $98.3M |
| Principal Stable Value Z Fund | Principal Global Investors Trust CO | Common/collective trust | $96.3M |
| Prin Equity Income Sa-z | Principal Life Insurance Company | Pooled separate account | $95.1M |
| Prin Lifetime HY 2025 CIT T | Principal Global Investors Trust CO | Common/collective trust | $89.2M |
| Prin Lifetime HY 2065 CIT T | Principal Global Investors Trust CO | Common/collective trust | $55.3M |
| Prin Core FIX INC SEP Acct-z | Principal Life Insurance Company | Pooled separate account | $15.2M |
| Prin Lifetime HYB 2070 CIT T | Principal Global Investors Trust CO | Common/collective trust | $4.0M |
| Prin Real Estate Secs Sa-z | Principal Life Insurance Company | Pooled separate account | $2.0M |
How plan assets are invested
| Category (Schedule H) | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Registered investment companies (mutual funds) | $589.6M | 16.4% |
| Common/collective trusts | $2.4B | 67.2% |
| Pooled separate accounts | $584.8M | 16.2% |
| Insurance co. general account | $1.0M | 0.0% |
| Participant loans | $235,540 | 0.0% |
Fees paid from plan assets
| Contract administrator fees | $1.6M |
| Total administrative expenses | $1.6M |
Reported administrative expenses were about 0.047% of average plan assets, or about $41 per participant with a balance. This usually excludes fund expense ratios netted inside mutual funds and trusts.
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 & Schedules H/D, filing ID 20250731155533NAL0013701154001. EIN 271218956.
FAQ
What are the best low-cost funds in the Sanford 401(k)?
The free public data doesn't list enough of the Sanford plan's index funds to say. Look in your plan's fee disclosure (404a-5 notice) for a US stock index fund, an international index fund and a bond index fund with low expense ratios.
Can I build a three-fund portfolio in the Sanford 401(k)?
Possibly. Many large plans offer the three building blocks, but the public data for this plan doesn't confirm it. A low-cost target-date index fund is a common one-fund alternative.
How big is the Sanford 401(k) plan?
The plan reported about $3.6B in net assets and 38,800 participants with balances for plan year 2024, according to its DOL Form 5500 filing.
Where does this data come from?
From public U.S. Department of Labor Form 5500 filings (EFAST2) and, where noted, the plan's SEC Form 11-K. Data can be outdated or incomplete, and this page is not financial advice.