Is Investing in a 401k Halal?

You can think of your retirement fund as a seed. That seed has the potential to grow into a strong, towering tree, provided it's planted in the right soil and given enough nutrients and sunlight to flourish. That soil represents your investments. Just as the wrong soil can poison the growth of your tree, the wrong investments can compromise the integrity of your retirement fund. For this reason, so many of our clients have raised concerns over the integrity of their 401k's, given that their employer-sponsored plans aren't structured with the principles of Islam in mind. 

Is Investing in a 401k Halal?

Investing in a 401k isn't inherently halal* or haram, it is the specific assets within your 401k that determine whether the account is halal or not. For instance, many plans contain mutual funds and ETFs that are made up of companies that operate in permissible sectors as well as those that would be considered damaging to society. Similarly, many 401ks contain Bond ETFs/mutual funds, which are inherently haram given their use of riba in order to turn over a profit. If your employer doesn't allow you to choose what's in your plan or you lack the time to manage your investments, it's easy to end up with a portfolio that is not aligned with your beliefs¹.

To help you better understand the asset classes in your 401k, we've done a deeper dive below:

Understanding what's in your 401k

A typical 401k account includes a mix of assets. Understanding these can help you navigate towards a shari'ah-compliant portfolio:

Stocks, Mutual Funds, ETFs: These are the backbone of many 401ks due to their historically higher performance compared to other asset classes. However, they can be haram if they include companies involved in any of the prohibited industries we've previously mentioned. Moreover, mutual funds and ETFs can have thousands of holdings, making it increasingly challenging to keep your portfolio Halal if you are selecting and monitoring your portfolio's makeup. 

Target Date Funds: Designed to adjust their investment strategy as you near retirement, these funds offer lower volatility but need careful selection to ensure Shariah compliance given the large amount of holdings typically found in each fund².

Bond Funds & ETFs: To balance out the risk and volatility of other asset classes, many employer-sponsored plans will offer a variety of bond funds and ETFs. However, given that bonds leverage interest to generate profits, this asset class would be impermissible and would have to be removed from your portfolio to keep it halal. 

The Benefits and Pitfalls of a 401k

Given the amount of work involved in keeping your portfolio halal, its no wonder that many people choose to look the other way or simply choose to invest their money elsewhere. However, if you are fortunate to have access to a 401k that aligns with the principles of your faith, it can be a powerful tool in helping you reach your financial goals. Below are some of the key benefits of leveraging a halal 401k to your advantage: 

Tax Advantages: Traditional 401k plans allow you to save pre-tax income, reducing your taxable income now but requiring taxes upon withdrawal. Roth 401k contributions are made with after-tax income, offering tax-free growth and withdrawals³. However, the convenience of tax benefits should not overshadow the need for Shariah compliance.

Employer Matching: This benefit can significantly boost your retirement savings. It's free money contributed to your 401k by your employer, who matches your deposits up to a certain percentage of your salary. Matching formulas vary, but a typical arrangement is for employers to match $1 for every $1 you contribute up to 3% of your salary, and then match 50 cents for every dollar on the next 2%⁴.

Long-Term Growth: The potential for long-term growth in 401k plans is a significant advantage because compound growth* allows your investments to earn returns on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest over time, significantly increasing your retirement savings. This compounding effect means the earlier you start, the more your savings have the potential to grow exponentially.

Navigating Halal Compliance in Your 401k

So you've been convinced of the utility of a 401k in helping you achieve your ideal retirement, what's next?

Well, there are essentially two scenarios that you might find yourself in:

1. Your 401k is with your current employer 
2. Your 401k is no longer with your current employer

Let's start with the first: 

Your 401k is with your current employer: 

If your 401k is  with your current employer, the ideal solution would be to request access to a Self-Directed Brokerage account, which will allow you the flexibility to select and manage your investments as you see fit. This provides you with the autonomy and authority needed to keep your portfolio halal at all times⁵. However, with great power comes great responsibility. The technical know-how and time investment required to structure and manage a portfolio can be substantial. Given our busy schedules, this may not be the ideal choice for most people.

Now, let's move on to the second:

Your 401k is no longer with your current employer

If your 401k is no longer with your current employer, there are a few things that you should know. Firstly - if your priority is keeping your retirement fund halal, then you're no longer restricted by the options that were available to you in your employer-sponsored plan. Secondly, you no longer stand to benefit from your previous employers matching program. Lastly, even if you were the type of person managing their self-directed brokerage account, imagine how much free time you could get back with this now off your plate.

For those seeking to keep their retirement savings Shariah-compliant while achieving their financial goals, there is a straightforward solution: Roll over your funds into a Roth or Traditional IRA with Wahed. Our Shariah Review Board rigorously screens all of our investments, so you can rest assured that your savings are managed according to the strictest Islamic principles. Meanwhile, our investment committee ensures that our globally diversified portfolios are optimised for your life stage and financial goals while still adhering to the most stringent standards.

To Wrap Things Up

Your retirement plan should align with your ethical and religious values. If your 401k doesn't meet these criteria, know that viable solutions do exist. At Wahed, we are dedicated to providing Shariah-compliant investment options, ensuring that your retirement funds grow in a way that is aligned with your faith. If you're considering rolling over your 401k into a Shar'iah-compliant IRA, we're here to guide you through the process, helping you achieve financial freedom without compromising your values. Reach out to us today to learn more.

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References

1. Shariah-Compliant Investing - https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/092415/shariah-compliant-investing.asp
2. Target Date Funds - https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/glossary/target-date-funds
3. 401k Tax Benefits - https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/401k-plans-deferrals-and-matching-when-compensation-limit-applies
4. Employer Matching Contributions - https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/retirement/employer-match-401k
5. The Rise of 401k Brokerage Accounts - https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/061314/rise-401k-brokerage-accounts.asp#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways,an%20account%20generally%20fare%20better.

Disclaimers: 

*The term 'Halal' denotes that it is permitted and follows Islamic law

*For more information on compound growth visit the investopedia website

*For more information on IRA accounts please visit IRS.gov

*Consult with your tax or financial advisor before implementing any plan changes as your situations may vary

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