Contributing to a workplace retirement plan may be the single best way to build wealth over time, but managing the retirement plan can be a huge pain. If your company offers any 401(k) help it probably comes from a somewhat pricey firm called Financial Engines.
However, Blooom is an automated investment service looking to make it easier to manage this centerpiece of your investment life.

Blooom’s technology isn’t rocket science. They use a basic asset allocation strategy to keep you invested towards your retirement goals. Overall, they favor lower cost and broad based index funds. But for $10 a month, you can outsource your 401(k) management to a robot. Plus, for that fee, you can also ask pretty much any financial question to them, and get an answer. That's not a bad deal for financial advice these days.
Plus, you can now have them help you with your IRA as well!
For a lot of people, that’s a great deal. Want some help managing your 401(k)? Here’s what you need to know about Blooom.

Quick Summary
- Low Cost Fee-Based 401k and IRA Management
- Setup your asset allocation and best choices for your 401k and IRA
- Get financial help from your advisor for any financial question
- Get blooom for a special rate of $99 per year with code REEETIRE
What Blooom Does
Think of Blooom as a Robo-advisor for your 401(k) (or other employer-sponsored workplace retirement plans including 403(b), TSP, 401(a), and 457 accounts, and IRA accounts. Based on your age, and your target retirement age, Blooom will recommend an allocation for your portfolio.
For younger people, they recommend a 100% stock allocation, but they also offer diversification within stocks. For example they will select large, mid and small cap domestic stock funds and various international stock and possibly even “alternative” funds.
If you don’t like Blooom’s asset allocation, you can opt for a different ratio of stocks to bonds. Blooom doesn’t offer diversification outside of stocks and bonds.
On top of that, you cannot adjust Blooom’s asset class allocations. That means, you can’t opt for more developed market international or more small cap stocks if that’s your preference.
Whenever possible Blooom will select a low-cost index fund to meet your portfolio’s requirements. In general, this means that you’ll get low cost performance that tracks the market. If you’re someone who accidentally selects all the highest cost mutual funds, this could bring substantial savings to you.
Blooom will rebalance your portfolio every 90 days, based on their algorithm (along with any changes you’ve made to your stock to bond ratio).
People who like to tinker with their portfolio allocation, won’t like Blooom’s one-algorithm fits all methodology, but for the average person this is a great service. Once you choose you accept Blooom’s recommendations, Blooom will manage your portfolio in perpetuity (as long as you pay your monthly fee).
Blooom also allows their users to ask financial questions - beyond just the 401k management - and get responses from real advisors. Should you invest or pay off student loan debt? Ask? Planning to have a little one soon? Ask about it.
How Bloom Charges Fees
Blooom charges $10 per month for their 401(k) management. Instead of withdrawing money to pay themselves, Blooom charges your credit card for their service.
To me, this is a standout feature of Blooom. Fees can be a big drag on your portfolio, but charging a credit card means you’ll cash flow your investment expenses.
I also love that they don’t charge a percentage of your assets under management. Most Robo-advisors charge a .25%-.45% asset management fee, but Blooom has one fee for all consumers. In my mind, that makes a lot of sense.
Should You Use Blooom?
I think Blooom is an excellent solution for people who want to set and forget their 401(k) contributions. The $10 per month fee is very reasonable, especially if you have a 401(k) balance in excess of $5000.
In fact, for most people, the $10 per month fee charged by Blooom will be even more cost effective than a Target Date Mutual Fund (with the exception of the very low cost funds offered by Vanguard and a few other brokerages).
Personally, I wish Blooom offered more diversification into alternative asset classes, and the opportunity to customize holdings. However, for the average 401(k) investor, I like Blooom’s standard recommendations. Blooom maintains a fiduciary standard, so if you appreciate their approach, Blooom could be a good fit for you.
You should note, if you’re aiming for socially responsible investing, you should not choose Blooom at this time.
Remember, you can use the code REEETIRE to get blooom for a special rate of $99 per year with code. Start using Blooom here.
What do you think of Bloom and would you start using it? Why or why not?
Blooom
- Commission and Fees - 95
- Customer Service - 85
- Investment Options - 75
- Asset Allocation - 70
- User Friendliness - 90
Overall
Summary
College Investor readers can use the code CINVESTOR to start a month long free trial.
Robert Farrington is America’s Millennial Money Expert® and America’s Student Loan Debt Expert™, and the founder of The College Investor, a personal finance site dedicated to helping millennials escape student loan debt to start investing and building wealth for the future. You can learn more about him on the About Page, or on his personal site RobertFarrington.com.
He regularly writes about investing, student loan debt, and general personal finance topics geared towards anyone wanting to earn more, get out of debt, and start building wealth for the future.
He has been quoted in major publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox, ABC, NBC, and more. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.