I'm in TIAA-CREF. I can move the %'s that go into various components of stocks, international stocks, bonds and guaranteed. Oh, and Real Estate which is doing fairly well. It's Commercial Real Estate. I have a very conservative portfolio because I'm 61 and will retire in 5 years (sooner if I can manage it, like at 62).

I can change the %'s from my paycheck (and my employer's matching amount) that go into the various stock funds, bonds, etc. I could move all the base money (cash value) into guaranteed but I can't get it back out again. Once it's in guaranteed, it stays until I retire. And, of course, the guaranteed rate is about 5%. Which right now sounds pretty damn good.

I need it to increase more than 5% if I have any hope at all of retiring before 66. I own the a/c; I was vested from Day 1. I wish I had started working at my current employment 10 years before I did. I've been there about 21 years. Ah well, I shouldn't complain. Some people don't have anything other than Social Security, some may not even have that.