OppenheimerFunds Tackles Market Volatility Head-On

OppenheimerFunds has launched a new educational campaign, including personalized communications, to allay 401(k) investors’, plan sponsors’ and financial advisers’ concerns about market volatility. Fidelity Investments and Charles Schwab, likewise, are conducting seminars and ad campaigns to walk investors through the merits of sticking with the markets and revisiting risk tolerance.

“OppenheimerFunds remains committed to delivering the best possible retirement plans,” said Gayle Leavitt, vice president of retail retirement at OppenheimerFunds. “Considering the unprecedented volatility in the markets, it is vital that we provide tools and resources to help plan sponsors and financial advisers navigate this difficult environment, and encourage participants to review their retirement targets.”

OppenheimerFunds will mail postcards to investors in its 401(k) plans on which there are two messages: “Stay the Course” and “Enroll Today or Increase Deferral.” Depending on a company’s demographics, the messages will include additional details.

“We strongly believe that personalization increases the likelihood of action,” Leavitt added. “The postcards are action-oriented and present simple, concise messages intended to motivate participants. Now more than ever, it’s necessary for participants to remain focused on long-term goals.”

For plan sponsors, OppenheimerFunds encourages them to revisit the investment offerings and fees in their plans to ensure they are meeting their fiduciary duties. The firm also tells them that now is a good time to ask the plan’s financial adviser to develop a communication and education strategy for participants.

In conjunction with this, OppenheimerFunds has posted a series of articles on its website addressing investor concerns during the recent period of tremendous turmoil. In “Stop Trying to Time a Rebound,” for instance, the firm advocates the merits of dollar-cost averaging.