Understanding Your Investment Options
Explore the options available to help grow your retirement savings
Your Wespath retirement plan gives you access to professionally managed investment options designed to support your long-term financial well-being. Whether you prefer an automated approach or want to take a more active role, Wespath offers the funds and services needed to help you invest confidently and in alignment with your values and goals.
How Retirement Investing Works
When you save for retirement through a Wespath-administered plan, such as Compass or the Personal Investment Plan (PIP), your retirement account can be invested in a diversified portfolio of funds. Over time, the goal is that investments increase in value, but like all investing, they are subject to market fluctuations.
Important investment principles to keep in mind when considering your retirement investment options:
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Diversification
Spreading your retirement savings investments across different asset classes, such as equities (stocks), fixed income (bonds), and other investments, helps reduce risk by smoothing out market volatility.
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Risk and Return
Investment funds with higher growth (return) potential typically come with greater variability. The appropriate balance depends on your comfort with risk and how long you expect to keep your money invested.
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Long-Term Focus
Retirement is a long-term goal. Staying invested over time helps you ride out short-term market changes and aims for long-term growth.
Ways to Manage Your Investments
Wespath offers two approaches for you to manage your retirement savings. Your choice depends on your preferences and retirement plan requirements. Note: Certain plan balances must be invested using LifeStage Investment Management
Automated Management: LifeStage Investment Management
This option may be ideal if you prefer a hands-off approach, with professional management, that automatically adjusts as your life circumstances evolve over time.
Self-Directed Investing (Choose Your Own Funds)
Individuals who choose to self-direct often consider their retirement timeline, risk tolerance, other sources of retirement income, and financial goals when selecting their retirement investment options.
For participants opting to self-direct, guidance is also available through EY Financial Planning Services at no additional cost — helping you make informed decisions about asset allocation based on your unique situation.
What Types of Investment Options Are Available
Wespath offers a range of professionally managed investment options to support long-term retirement savings. Here is a high-level overview of the funds available:
Equity Funds
Focused on long-term growth by investing in stocks. Wespath offers U.S. equity, international equity, and global equity options.
For detailed fund information, objectives, and performance, please visit the Fund Detail pages.
All Wespath investment funds adhere to Wespath’s commitment to sustainable, long-term, values-aligned investing.
Wespath’s Values-Aligned Investment Philosophy
As trustee of one of the largest denominational pension funds in the world, Wespath seeks to not only maximize financial returns but also integrate social and environmental considerations into investment decision-making.
This means that whether you choose automated or self-directed investing, your savings are managed according to a long-term perspective rooted in stewardship, responsible corporate practices, and sustainable investing.
Our approach aims to balance financial stability, growth potential, and alignment with values important to the United Methodist community.
A Simple Framework for Thinking About Your Choices
When considering how to invest with Wespath, you might find it helpful to consider three guiding questions:
- Do I want to manage my investments myself, or use LifeStage? Remember that some balances for certain retirement plans are required to use LifeStage.
- What balance of risk and return potential feels right for me? More growth potential often comes with more short-term risk.
- How long will my money be invested? A longer time horizon generally allows for more growth and the ability to absorb market fluctuations.
Your answers may change over time, and that’s okay. You can adjust your investing approach as your life, retirement timeline, and financial goals evolve.
Investment Resources
Wespath does not provide individualized investment, tax, or financial advice. All investing involves risk. You should consider your personal goals, comfort with risk, and broader financial situation when making decisions.