2026: The Year AI Finally Meets Your Minnesota 401(k)

AI is everywhere—ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Claude.

(Those are the only AI tools I can remember).

They can explain mutual fund types and styles.

Small, Mid, and Large.

Value, Growth, and Blend.

Turn mutual fund financial jargon into plain English.

But here’s the truth most people miss:

AI can educate you about your 401(k).

But it cannot pick your 401(k) mutual funds for you.

In 2026, that distinction will matter more than ever.

Sure, AI is fast, clear, and always available 24/7.

But it does not know your default 401(k) mutual fund menu.

And it does not know your comfort level of stock market risk

Even more important, AI can’t act as a fiduciary.

Providing 401(k) mutual fund advice.

Not affiliated with your 401(k) sponsor (your company).

Not affiliated with your 401(k) provider.
Schwab, Fidelity, Empower, etc.

Here’s the smart way to use AI for your 401(k) in 2026:

Let AI rank your available 401(k) mutual funds.

By annual cost (expense ratio).

By recent investment performance.

Think of it like Fantasy Football.
Or your March Madness bracket.

AI can help you rank the players or teams.

You still draft or pick the team.

A 401(k) investment advisor takes your 401(k) mutual funds.

The lowest-cost and best-performing ones.

And provides the answer to “what do I buy in my 401(k)?”

AI educates and informs with the raw mutual fund data.

A fiduciary 401(k) advice provider explains stock market risk.

That’s the combination that improves your 2026 401(k)results.

Curious how AI would rank your 401(k) mutual funds?

Ric Lager

P.S. AI gives 401(k) mutual fund clarity.
A fiduciary advisor gives confidence.