Plan Sponsor Explains 401(k) Investment Selection

Controller explains why the Shelton Group chose the Natixis Sustainable Future Funds® for their 401(k) plan in 2017.**

The Natixis Sustainable Future Funds® are designed for retirement investors who want to generate sustainable long-term returns. The Funds combine a sophisticated “through retirement” allocation glide path and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations with other factors as part of the investment selection process. They are designed to be suitable as a QDIA (qualified default investment alternative) for ERISA plans.

Luke Tetrault, Investment Consultant
Luke.Tetrault@natixis.com
617-449-2620

Bill Slimbaugh, Managing Director
William.Slimbaugh@natixis.com
617-794-3031

Sustainable Investments May Encourage Greater Retirement Savings
The 2023 Natixis Defined Contribution Plan Participant Survey found that adding ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investment options can be a major incentive for boosting plan participation.

83% believe companies that focus on sustainable business practices present significant growth opportunities for their investments1

73% say they would be more likely to participate or increase their contributions if offered investments in companies with good ESG practices1

92% of Millennials would like to see more sustainable investments in their workplace retirement offering1

Competitive Performance Since Inception

To view most recent performance, click on the fund names listed below.

Fund Name
Inception Date
Morningstar Category
Morningstar Ratings
 
Overall
3-Year
5-Year
02/28/2017
Target Date 2015
4 star rating

--

3 star rating

50 out of 102 funds

5 star rating

7 out of 97 funds

02/28/2017
Target Date 2020
5 star rating

--

4 star rating

23 out of 133 funds

4 star rating

6 out of 128 funds

02/28/2017
Target Date 2025
4 star rating

--

4 star rating

30 out of 194 funds

4 star rating

22 out of 177 funds

02/28/2017
Target Date 2030
4 star rating

--

4 star rating

23 out of 196 funds

4 star rating

9 out of 175 funds

02/28/2017
Target Date 2035
4 star rating

--

4 star rating

30 out of 187 funds

4 star rating

32 out of 174 funds

02/28/2017
Target Date 2040
4 star rating

--

3 star rating

45 out of 190 funds

4 star rating

40 out of 175 funds

02/28/2017
Target Date 2045
4 star rating

--

3 star rating

44 out of 187 funds

4 star rating

31 out of 174 funds

02/28/2017
Target Date 2050
3 star rating

--

3 star rating

68 out of 188 funds

3 star rating

38 out of 175 funds

02/28/2017
Target Date 2055
3 star rating

--

3 star rating

63 out of 187 funds

3 star rating

44 out of 174 funds

02/28/2017
Target Date 2060
3 star rating

--

3 star rating

50 out of 181 funds

3 star rating

10 out of 162 funds

12/15/2021
Target Date 2065
N/A
N/A
N/A

As of 12/31/2023. Overall rating derived from weighted average of the 3-, 5- and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics; other ratings based on risk-adjusted returns. Performance data shown represents past performance and is no guarantee of, and not necessarily indicative of, future results.

Download Latest Performance


Fund Management
We believe that assessing environmental, social and governance factors can help identify investment opportunities as well as risks, consistent with fiduciary standards. The Funds were designed as a potential default investment option for retirement plans.

photo of Christopher Sharpe

Christopher Sharpe helps oversee the firm’s model portfolios and is the Lead Portfolio Manager for the Natixis Sustainable Future Funds target date series. Prior to joining the firm, Christopher spent 15 years at Fidelity Investments, managing over $225 billion in multi-asset-class mutual funds and institutional accounts. As lead portfolio manager for the Fidelity Freedom Funds he was responsible for portfolio strategy, design, implementation and due diligence. He also served previously as an investment policy officer at John Hancock, managing the investment and asset/liability strategies backing the insurance company's deferred annuities, and as an investment actuary and retirement plan design consultant at Mercer Consulting. Christopher holds a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Brown University. He is a CFA® charterholder and a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries.



The Funds’ broadly diversified portfolios are managed by a proven team, using a variety of active and passive investment strategies from experienced managers:
  • ESG equity index strategies: Natixis Investment Managers Solutions
  • Active equity strategies: Harris Associates, Loomis, Sayles & Company, and WCM Investment Management
  • Active fixed income strategies: Loomis, Sayles & Company
  • Thematic equity and fixed income strategies: Mirova

Key Differentiators
The Funds offer an alternative to traditional target date families

Multi-Manager
Diverse investment expertise of independent Natixis-affiliated investment managers.

Intentional Approach to ESG
Managers may incorporate ESG and other considerations into decision-making to help address a broader
range of risks and opportunities.2

Hybrid Portfolios
Blend of active and passive strategies and diverse styles to pursue more consistent results.


 
Asset Allocation Glidepath – To and Through Retirement
The Natixis Sustainable Future Funds® are designed to help investors build a nest egg for when they plan to retire. Just choose the fund with the year closest to when you think you will start withdrawing your savings – usually around age 65. To help investors prepare for lengthy retirements, the asset allocation focuses on building and retaining assets to – and through – the designated retirement date.
 

The Funds are designed for investors who will be age 65 around the year indicated in each Fund's name. When choosing a Fund, investors who anticipate retiring significantly earlier or later than age 65 may want to select a Fund closer to their anticipated retirement year. Besides age, there may be other considerations relevant to fund selection, including personal circumstances, risk tolerance and specific investment goals.

Each fund's asset allocation becomes increasingly conservative as it approaches the target date and beyond. Allocations may deviate plus or minus 10% from their targeted percentages.

Principal invested is not guaranteed against losses. It is possible to lose money by investing in the Funds, including at and after the Funds' target date.

Investments in the Funds are subject to the risks of the underlying funds and separately managed segments.


Contact Us

Our Natixis retirement specialists can help you fit the Natixis Sustainable Future Funds® into your plan offerings. 

Luke Tetrault, Investment Consultant
Luke.Tetrault@natixis.com
617-449-2620

Bill Slimbaugh, Managing Director
William.Slimbaugh@natixis.com
617-794-3031