Most Popular Mutual Funds 401k Retirement Savings

Close up of a 401(k) statement. The statement is surrounded by a cup of coffee, a pie chart of personal finances, a calculator and a pen with a soft focus on a graph in the background.This im

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published 19 September 2019

There's no denying the importance and popularity of 401(k)s for retirement savers. Americans have $7.3 trillion invested in these tax-deferred workplace savings accounts, according to the Investment Company Institute, and there are roughly 60 million active 401(k) participants.

BrightScope, a financial-information company that rates retirement-savings plans, compiled for Kiplinger this list of the 100 most popular mutual funds in 401(k) plans based on funds' 401(k) assets under management.

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Here is the list of the top 100 mutual funds for your 401(k) retirement savings. All figures are as of April, 30, 2022.

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Rank	Fund Name	Symbol	Fund Type	Annualized Total Return 1-yr	Annualized Total Return 3-yr	Annualized Total Return 5-yr	Annualized Total Return 10-yr	Expense ratio
1	Vanguard Institutional Index	VINIX	Large Blend	0.18	13.82	13.63	13.64	0.04
2	Fidelity 500 Index	FXAIX	Large Blend	0.20	13.83	13.65	113.66	0.02
3	American Funds EuroPacific Growth	AEPGX	EAFE	-19.38	4.16	5.30	6.16	0.82
4	Vanguard Total Bond Market Index	VBTLX	Short/Intermediate Government Bonds	-8.65	0.36	1.17	1.68	0.05
5	Vanguard 500 Index	VFIAX	Large Blend	0.17	13.81	13.81	13.62	0.04
6	Fidelity Contrafund	FCNTX	Large-Growth U.S. Equities	-9.59	12.47	14.33	13.73	0.81
7	Vanguard PRIMECAP	VPMCX	Large Blend	-5.10	11.86	13.18	15.05	0.38
8	Dodge & Cox Stock	DODGX	Large-Value U.S. Equities	0.71	12.54	11.42	13.50	0.51
9	Vanguard Mid Capitalization Index	VIMAX	Mid Cap U.S. Equities	-4.54	11.11	10.86	12.06	0.05
10	Vanguard Wellington	VWELX	Moderate Allocation	-3.21	8.33	8.50	9.13	0.24
11	Vanguard Target Retirement 2030	VTHRX	Moderate Allocation	-6.78	6.61	7.16	8.03	0.08
12	Vanguard Target Retirement 2025	VTTVX	Conservative Allocation	-6.69	5.97	6.65	7.43	0.08
13	Vanguard Total International Stock Index	VTIAX	EAFE	-10.53	4.49	4.94	5.31	0.11
14	Vanguard Small Cap Index	VSMAX	Small Cap U.S. Equities	-11.20	8.67	9.25	11.25	0.05
15	Vanguard Target Retirement 2035	VTTHX	Moderate Allocation	-6.61	7.29	7.77	8.64	0.08
16	Vanguard Total Stock Market Index	VTSAX	Large Blend	-3.36	13.01	12.96	13.24	0.04
17	American Funds Growth Fund of America	AGTHX	Large-Growth U.S. Equities	-13.23	11.90	12.97	13.58	0.61
18	PIMCO Total Return	PTTAX	Short/Intermediate Government Bonds	-9.03	0.40	1.15	1.79	0.81
19	Vanguard Target Retirement 2040	VFORX	Moderate Allocation	-6.52	7.96	8.38	9.14	0.08
20	T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth	TRBCX	Large-Growth U.S. Equities	-18.97	8.25	13.25	13.94	0.69
21	MetWest Total Return Bond	MWTRX	Short/Intermediate Government Bonds	-9.31	0.63	1.32	2.34	0.67
22	Vanguard Extended Market Index	VEXAX	Mid-Growth U.S. Equities	-18.84	8.68	9.33	11.17	0.06
23	Vanguard Target Retirement 2020	VTWNX	Conservative Allocation	-5.97	5.35	5.91	6.77	0.08
24	Fidelity Freedom 2030	FFFEX	Moderate Allocation	-7.73	7.16	7.44	7.98	0.67
25	Vanguard Target Retirement 2045	VTIVX	Aggressive Allocation	-6.40	8.65	8.89	9.44	0.08
26	Fidelity Growth Company	FDGRX	Large-Growth U.S. Equities	-14.27	20.63	20.20	17.53	0.79
27	T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030	TRRCX	Moderate Allocation	-7.54	7.63	7.97	8.81	0.58
28	Fidelity Freedom 2025	FFTWX	Conservative Allocation	-7.64	6.41	6.61	7.24	0.63
29	Vanguard Target Retirement 2050	VFIFX	Aggressive Allocation	-6.37	8.73	8.94	9.46	0.08
30	Harbor Capital Appreciation	HCAIX	Large-Growth U.S. Equities	-17.92	12.61	15.50	14.06	1.01
31	American Funds American Balanced	ABALX	Moderate Allocation	-1.72	7.99	8.17	9.12	0.56
32	Fidelity Freedom 2040	FFFFX	Moderate Allocation	-8.09	9.19	8.98	9.15	0.75
33	Fidelity Freedom 2035	FFTHX	Moderate Allocation	-8.00	8.40	8.45	8.84	0.72
34	Fidelity US Bond Index	FXNAX	Short/Intermediate Government Bonds	-8.56	0.37	1.16	1.70	0.03
35	Vanguard Windsor II	VWNFX	Large-Value U.S. Equities	-0.81	13.43	11.61	11.80	0.34
36	Vanguard International Growth	VWIGX	EAFE	-28.72	8.72	10.40	9.14	0.43
37	Fidelity Freedom 2020	FFFDX	Conservative Allocation	-7.36	5.84	6.10	6.55	0.59
38	Fidelity Extended Market Index	FSMAX	Mid-Growth U.S. Equities	-18.83	8.65	9.34	11.13	0.04
39	American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement	AAETX	Moderate Allocation	-5.50	7.29	7.69	8.87	0.66
40	Dodge & Cox Income	DODIX	Short/Intermediate Government Bonds	-7.68	1.55	2.20	2.79	0.41
41	T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040	TRRDX	Moderate Allocation	-8.73	8.59	8.88	9.65	0.60
42	Dodge & Cox International Stock	DODFX	EAFE	-4.13	4.69	3.54	5.93	0.62
43	Vanguard Growth Index	VIGAX	Large-Growth U.S. Equities	-8.32	16.08	16.10	14.79	0.05
44	MFS Value	MEIAX	Large-Value U.S. Equities	0.53	9.27	9.03	10.98	0.80
45	T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025	TRRHX	Conservative Allocation	-6.76	7.11	7.40	8.20	0.55
46	T. Rowe Price Large Cap Growth I	TRLGX	Large-Growth U.S. Equities	-17.29	11.62	15.55	15.38	0.56
47	Vanguard Developed Markets Index	VTMGX	EAFE	-8.79	5.12	5.23	6.20	0.07
48	T. Rowe Price Growth Stock	PRGFX	Large-Growth U.S. Equities	-21.11	8.61	12.16	13.28	0.64
49	T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020	TRRBX	Conservative Allocation	-6.26	6.44	6.73	7.48	0.53
50	T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth	RPMGX	Mid-Growth U.S. Equities	-13.48	8.03	11.04	12.64	0.73
51	American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement	AADTX	Conservative Allocation	-4.61	6.65	6.85	8.02	0.64
52	Vanguard Equity-Income	VEIPX	Large-Value U.S. Equities	7.52	11.32	10.94	11.91	0.28
53	T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035	TRRJX	Moderate Allocation	-8.22	8.14	8.44	9.28	0.59
54	American Funds Washington Mutual	AWSHX	Large Blend	5.98	11.94	12.17	12.41	0.58
55	American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement	AAFTX	Moderate Allocation	-6.37	8.39	8.86	9.62	0.67
56	American Funds New Perspective	ANWPX	World Equity	-11.58	11.74	12.15	11.56	0.72
57	Fidelity Freedom 2045	FFFGX	Aggressive Allocation	-8.10	9.18	8.97	9.20	0.75
58	American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement	AAGTX	Moderate Allocation	-7.16	8.81	9.27	9.92	0.68
59	Fidelity Balanced	FBALX	Moderate Allocation	-4.24	11.41	10.61	10.11	0.51
60	Vanguard Value Index	VVIAX	Large-Value U.S. Equities	5.90	11.00	10.94	12.27	0.05
61	Fidelity Freedom 2050	FFFHX	Aggressive Allocation	-8.07	9.18	8.97	9.22	0.75
62	Fidelity International Index	FSPSX	EAFE	-8.85	4.21	4.69	5.82	0.04
63	Fidelity Blue Chip Growth	FBGRX	Large-Growth U.S. Equities	-15.57	17.69	18.85	16.86	0.79
64	PGIM Total Return Bond	PDBAX	Short/Intermediate Government Bonds	-8.73	0.30	1.49	2.58	0.76
65	Vanguard Target Retirement 2055	VFFVX	Aggressive Allocation	-6.37	8.72	8.93	9.44	0.08
66	T. Rowe Price New Horizons	PRNHX	Mid-Growth U.S. Equities	-27.38	10.05	14.86	15.05	0.75
67	Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index	VITNX	Large Blend	-3.33	13.04	12.99	13.28	0.03
68	Vanguard Balanced Index	VBIAX	Moderate Allocation	-5.31	8.21	8.46	8.73	0.07
69	T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045	TRRKX	Aggressive Allocation	-8.83	8.95	9.17	9.82	0.62
70	American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement	AACTX	Conservative Allocation	-3.46	5.87	6.00	6.99	0.64
71	iShares S&P 500 Index	BSPAX	Large Blend	-0.14	13.46	13.28	13.26	0.35
72	T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050	TRRMX	Aggressive Allocation	-8.88	8.96	9.18	9.82	0.63
73	Janus Henderson Enterprise	JAENX	Mid-Growth U.S. Equities	-8.26	9.90	13.34	13.63	0.91
74	Fidelity Diversified International	FDIVX	EAFE	-12.00	6.75	6.03	6.87	1.01
75	American Funds 2045 Target Date Retirement	AAHTX	Aggressive Allocation	-7.62	8.85	9.37	10.02	0.68
76	Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities	VIPSX	TIPS	0.48	5.16	3.65	2.08	0.20
77	Fidelity Low-Priced Stock	FLPSX	Mid-Value U.S. Equities	-1.20	12.33	10.24	10.97	0.65
78	Vanguard Explorer	VEXPX	Small-Growth U.S. Equities	-14.64	10.39	12.79	12.44	0.40
79	MainStay Winslow Large Cap Growth	MLINX	Large-Growth U.S. Equities	-12.79	12.33	15.53	13.53	1.08
80	Invesco Developing Markets	ODMAX	Emerging Markets	-31.11	-3.43	1.59	2.17	1.20
81	Fidelity Total Market Index	FSKAX	Large Blend	-3.35	12.98	12.93	13.21	0.02
82	Vanguard Target Retirement 2015	VTXVX	Conservative Allocation	-5.60	4.21	4.83	5.75	0.08
83	American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement	AALTX	Aggressive Allocation	-8.34	8.74	9.35	10.02	0.69
84	Fidelity Puritan	FPURX	Moderate Allocation	-3.87	10.83	10.28	9.88	0.51
85	Fidelity Mid Cap Index	FSMDX	Mid Cap U.S. Equities	-6.13	10.48	10.65	11.97	0.03
86	JPMorgan Large Cap Growth	OLGAX	Large-Growth U.S. Equities	-11.05	18.06	19.61	15.25	0.94
87	Vanguard Real Estate Index	VGSLX	Real Estate	7.78	9.89	8.70	8.92	0.12
88	Vanguard Target Retirement Income	VTINX	Conservative Allocation	-5.66	3.86	4.22	4.44	0.08
89	Schwab S&P 500 Index	SWPPX	Large Blend	0.19	13.82	13.63	13.60	0.02
90	American Funds Fundamental Investors	ANCFX	Large Blend	-4.37	10.20	10.68	12.15	0.59
91	Vanguard US Growth	VWUSX	Large-Growth U.S. Equities	-23.80	11.80	14.96	14.10	0.38
92	JPMorgan Mid Cap Value	JAMCX	Mid-Value U.S. Equities	0.48	9.04	8.10	10.62	1.14
93	JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2030	JSMAX	Moderate Allocation	-8.05	5.31	6.07	7.29	0.85
94	Fidelity Small Cap Index	FSSNX	Small Cap U.S. Equities	-16.89	6.78	7.34	10.21	0.03
95	JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2025	JNSAX	Conservative Allocation	-7.89	4.56	5.22	6.52	0.84
96	Vanguard Wellesley Income	VWINX	Moderate Allocation	-2.83	5.42	5.69	6.31	0.23
97	JPMorgan Equity Income	OIEIX	Large-Value U.S. Equities	4.27	10.50	10.82	11.48	0.96
98	Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index	VBIRX	Total Bond Market	-5.09	0.66	1.09	1.13	0.07
99	MassMutual Mid Cap Growth	MEFAX	Mid-Growth U.S. Equities	-14.99	7.59	10.45	11.87	1.20
100	Fidelity Freedom Index 2030	FXIFX	Moderate Allocation	-6.98	6.53	7.40	7.63	0.12

* The dollar amounts represent funds' total assets under management held both within 401(k) plans and outside of 401(k)s, according to Morningstar. BrightScope ranked the funds by assets under management held in 401(k)s only, but it did not disclose the precise amounts for proprietary reasons.

Disclaimer

Sources: BrightScope, Morningstar

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Nellie joined Kiplinger in August 2011 after a seven-year stint in Hong Kong. There, she worked for the Wall Street Journal Asia, where as lifestyle editor, she launched and edited Scene Asia, an online guide to food, wine, entertainment and the arts in Asia. Prior to that, she was an editor at Weekend Journal, the Friday lifestyle section of the Wall Street Journal Asia. Kiplinger isn't Nellie's first foray into personal finance: She has also worked at SmartMoney (rising from fact-checker to senior writer), and she was a senior editor at Money.