Charles Schwab: Retirement Plan Services: Overview

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Schwab Self-Directed Brokerage Account Indicators™ Report

Welcome to the Schwab Self-Directed Brokerage Account Indicators™ Report, a key source of information on the investing activities, behaviors and sentiments of Participants investing in self-directed brokerage accounts (SDBAs) within their retirement plan. The SDBA Indicators Report seeks to provide an inside look at the investing activity and demographics of an ever-growing segment of retirement plan Participants.

The SDBA Indicators Report tracks a wide variety of investment activity and profile information on Participants within Schwab’s Personal Choice Retirement Account® (PCRA) product, ranging from asset allocation trends, asset flow in various equity and mutual fund categories, to age trends and trading activity. The SDBA Indicators Report provides insight into Participants’ perceptions of the markets and the investment decisions they make.

Charles Schwab has been an industry leader in SDBAs since 1994, with a growing list of Fortune 500® clients. By analyzing and publishing data on Participants’ investing through our own PCRA product, our goal is to provide a deeper understanding of Participant behaviors and investment trends in SDBAs.

Recent Indicators Report
(by Quarter)

Historical Indicators Reports
(by Year)

SDBA Indicators: Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What are the Schwab SDBA Indicators?

The Schwab SDBA Indicators are a compilation of key investment statistics and profile information on retirement plan Participants investing in our proprietary self-directed brokerage account, the Schwab Personal Choice Retirement Account® (PCRA) reported to Plan Sponsors and their Retirement Plan Providers on a quarterly basis. PCRA is a premier self-directed brokerage account product in the retirement industry, offered through Schwab since 1994. Based on data collected from all PCRA accounts with account balances between $5,000 and $2 million, the SDBA Indicators seek to track the asset flow, trading activity and profile information of Participants.

2. Why are we providing this information?

There is currently very little industry information on the investing behaviors and attitudes among plan Participants investing through an SDBA within their retirement plans. It is important to gain a better understanding of Participant sentiments and attitudes, and if Participants investing through an SDBA behave any differently than other investors. The SDBA Indicators are provided to highlight investing and behavioral trends and to assist in determining if Participant education is having an impact on investment decision making, allowing for possible shifts in education programs and communications.

3. How is the information derived?

The SDBA Indicators utilize data collected from all Participants who currently invest through a PCRA account within their retirement plan and have PCRA account balances between $5,000 and $2 million. Data is extracted monthly on all accounts that are open as of month-end and meet the minimum and maximum balance requirements. The statistical information is generally derived from PCRA accounts across all Schwab distribution channels. Equity sectors are based on classification standards determined by Standard & Poors®. Mutual fund categories are based on fund categorization by Morningstar®.

4. How can I access the SDBA Indicators?

Access current and historical SDBA Indicator Reports using the links provided above.

5. How frequently will this be published?

The SDBA Indicators Reports are published on a quarterly and annual basis, roughly six weeks after the applicable quarter- or year-end, and are archived and available to Plan Sponsors and their Retirement Plan Providers thereafter.

6. How can I get more information?

For more information about Schwab’s SDBA Indicators, please email us at SchwabPCRA@schwab.com.