<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=314834185700910&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">

New Update: Healthcare Costs Increasing by Over 60% in Some States. Will you be impacted?

Learn More

Is Your Raytheon Retirement Portfolio Spreading Itself Too Thin?

image-table

'Thoughtful diversification for Raytheon employees means strategically selecting a balanced mix of assets to help manage risk and support long-term objectives, rather than simply chasing breadth,' – Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'Effective diversification for Raytheon employees hinges on deliberate asset selection and ongoing oversight to balance risk without sacrificing clarity,' – Paul Bergeron, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article we will discuss

  1. The advantages and potential drawbacks of diversification for Raytheon employees.

  2. Key asset classes and strategies for maintaining balanced portfolio stability.

  3. Practical steps to identify and eliminate over-diversification and hidden risks.

Overview

Diversification is frequently praised as the foundation of prudent portfolio management—a notion underpinning modern portfolio theory for decades. However, excessive or misdirected diversification can dilute returns, obscure strategic intent, and incur needless expenses, even though distributing investments across several asset classes can help mitigate volatility. Wealth Enhancement financial advisors Tyson Mavar and Patrick Ray highlight that balance and purpose are essential for meaningful diversification. Ray notes that while diversification can help lower volatility and correlation, overdoing it may actually weaken returns and cloud your portfolio’s strategy.

Diversification’s Justification

Fundamentally, diversification aims to mitigate portfolio risk by combining assets with different return profiles. Historically, a balanced allocation—roughly equal parts high-quality fixed income and stocks—has yielded annualized returns near  8% , with volatility around  10% . In contrast, an all-equity portfolio has delivered roughly  15%  annualized returns over the same timeframe, at a similar level of volatility. This illustrates how bonds can cushion stock declines without significantly hindering long-term growth. “You’re never going to love every holding in your portfolio at the same time,” Ray explains, noting that uncorrelated assets often smooth performance—even if some holdings lag, others will likely thrive.

Cash and Treasury Bonds: Two Foundations of Stability

U.S. Treasury bonds are among the most reliable diversifiers against equity downturns, helping to softenthe blow of market sell-offs. “Treasuries have historically done a great job mitigating downturns,” Mavar notes. Once viewed as a drag on returns, cash has regained popularity amid higher short-term interest rates. Cash yields now offer both steadiness and optionality, often rivaling or surpassing lower-quality fixed income.

The Drawbacks of Excessive Diversification

Even the adage “more is better” can backfire when applied to portfolios. Juggling too many positions creates management headaches and dilutes conviction. “Many asset types promise diversification but fail to deliver,” warns Ray. Lower-quality bonds often behave like equities under stress, offering little downside mitigation, while certain real estate investment trusts (REITs) now move in lockstep with broader markets. Cryptocurrencies likewise introduce speculative volatility, swapping one form of risk for another rather than serving as a genuine hedge.

Hidden Expenses and Faux Diversifiers

Retail portfolios are rife with “faux diversifiers”—crowded alternative investments, niche hedge funds, or exotic strategies that boast diversification but deliver little. These holdings often carry higher fees, complex structures, and opaque risk profiles. “Once you move beyond simple, low-cost asset classes like stocks and Treasuries, you usually pay more without earning better risk-adjusted returns,” Ray cautions.

Duplication: The Silent Portfolio Eroder

Unintentional overlap can be the stealthiest form of over-diversification. Investors may hold multiple mutual funds or exchange traded funds (ETFs) tracking the same sectors or benchmarks, all while believing they’re diversified. Mavar observes that many clients unknowingly double up on identical exposures, complicating performance analysis and obscuring true risk. Holding individual blue-chip stocks alongside ETFs containing the same names adds little incremental diversification.

Tax Considerations and Strategic Cleanup

When over-diversification or duplication sneaks in, a methodical portfolio “cleanse” can help restore clarity and efficiency. Rebalancing within tax-deferred vehicles such as 401k plans or IRAs is typically straightforward, but selling positions in taxable accounts may trigger capital gains taxes. Mavar suggests phasing trades or waiting for market pullbacks to mitigate tax impact and optimize after-tax returns.

An Equitable Method for Diversification

True diversification isn’t a free-for-all or cure-all; it’s a deliberate tool to manage risk, stabilize returns, and preserve flexibility. As Ray puts it, “Good diversification is about strategy, not quantity.” Choose just enough variety to manage risk without losing sight of your portfolio’s objectives.

Mark Twain’s Basket

“Watch that basket—put all your eggs in one basket—and make sure you watch that basket.”

Make sure your basket is sturdy, aligned with your long-term goals, and free from needless complexity. Thoughtful asset selection, disciplined construction, and ongoing oversight can help Raytheon employees navigate market cycles and follow a clear path toward their retirement objectives.

Featured Video

Articles you may find interesting:

Loading...

Sources:

1. Investopedia. “ Nearing Retirement? Here’s How to Get Your Investment Mix Just Right ,” by Rachel Hanley, 1 Apr. 2025.

2. Morningstar. “ Our Best Investment Portfolio Examples for Savers and Retirees ,” by Margaret Giles, Christine Benz, 14May 2025.

4. CFA Institute. “ Diversification During Hard Times .”  Financial Analysts Journal , vol. 79, no. 2, 2 Feb. 2023, pp. 1–2. 

5. Kiplinger. “ 10 Best Target-Date Fund Families ,” by Coryanne Hicks, July 2025.

6. Damodaran, Aswath.  Historical Returns on Stocks, Bonds and Bills: 1928–Current . NYU Stern School of Business, https://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~adamodar/New_Home_Page/datafile/histretSP.html. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

What type of retirement savings plan does Raytheon offer to its employees?

Raytheon offers a 401(k) Savings Plan to help employees save for retirement.

Does Raytheon provide a company match for contributions made to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Raytheon matches employee contributions to the 401(k) plan up to a certain percentage.

How can Raytheon employees enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan?

Raytheon employees can enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan through the company's benefits portal or by contacting the HR department.

What is the minimum contribution percentage required for Raytheon employees to participate in the 401(k) plan?

Raytheon typically requires a minimum contribution percentage of 1% to participate in the 401(k) Savings Plan.

Can Raytheon employees change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) plan at any time?

Yes, Raytheon employees can change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) plan during designated enrollment periods or as allowed by the plan rules.

What investment options are available to Raytheon employees within the 401(k) plan?

Raytheon offers a variety of investment options within the 401(k) plan, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and company stock.

Is there a vesting schedule for the company match in Raytheon’s 401(k) plan?

Yes, Raytheon has a vesting schedule for the company match, which means employees must work for a certain number of years to fully own the matched contributions.

Can Raytheon employees take loans from their 401(k) accounts?

Yes, Raytheon allows employees to take loans from their 401(k) accounts under certain conditions.

What happens to Raytheon employees' 401(k) accounts if they leave the company?

If Raytheon employees leave the company, they can choose to roll over their 401(k) balance to another retirement account, cash out, or leave the funds in the Raytheon plan if eligible.

Are there any fees associated with Raytheon’s 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, there may be administrative fees and investment-related fees associated with Raytheon’s 401(k) Savings Plan, which are disclosed in plan documents.

New call-to-action

Additional Articles

Check Out Articles for Raytheon employees

Loading...

For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Raytheon at 1000 wilson blvd Arlington, VA 22209; or by calling them at 781-522-3000.

*Please see disclaimer for more information

Relevant Articles

Check Out Articles for Raytheon employees