How to Buy Institutional Funds
- 1). Check with your 401(k) plan provider to determine whether you can purchase into an institutional fund through your plan. By purchasing within your plan you won't need to make the larger initial buy-in because the plan manager combines the plan holders together to gather enough money for the initial buy-in as a group.
- 2). Check with your broker or investment manager about participation in a wrap or fee-only advisory account. These accounts pay brokers according to the amount of assets under management and as such can access institutional funds and provide a low-cost buy-in when grouped with other members under their management.
- 3). Roll over any 401(k) assets already invested in an institutional fund into an IRA to continue the investment after leaving your current employer.
- 4). Continue expanding your investment amount by buying further fund shares using the typical buy process you use for the fund management company. Unlike the initial buy-in, there is no minimum, allowing you to build your position slowly over time or shift other monies into the institutional funds in which you participate.