Switching from Cash (預金 yokin) to ETFs, Funds etc. in iDeco

[Oasis]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum but have been reading a few threads over the past few months and I purchased Ben's full info pack and have read through everything. There is a wealth of information in Ben's info pack, and on this forum it and it has been very helpful.

I just was able to finally get my ideco account set up through SBI this week. I want to start reaping the tax benefits as soon as possible, but I haven't decide which ETFs I want to invest in quite yet + I want to look into kokumin nenkin kikin (as described here: https://www.retirejapan.com/blog/japans ... ey%20chose) before I make any final decisions about the allocations of my 68,000 yen/month contributions.

I've searched this forum for an answer to the following question but couldn't find an info.
My question is: Is it possible to start out with cash (預金 yokin) only, which will allow me to start getting tax benefits immediately, and then change that to ETFs or mutual funds etc. as soon as I have decide how to proceed with my investment choices, ie. ETFs, stocks, bonds. I think I will be able to come up with some portfolio decisions in about 2 months, when I would like to change out of cash (預金 yokin)
Or, am I locked into to the cash (預金 yokin) only option forever?

Sorry, if my question and wording is confusing. I'm new to all of this and I'm just learning the basics now.

Any information or advice on this would be greatly appreciated!

[RetireJapan]

Welcome to the forum!

One great thing about iDeCo is the 'switching' option, where you can move your investments from one fund to another within the account easily and for free.

So starting out with the yokin fund then moving to something different in the future would be fine.

[Oasis]

Thank you for your response!

Can I switch at any time, even after only a couple of months, or is there a minimum time that I would have to hold the yokin fund?

[adamu]

To be clear: there are no (direct) stocks or ETFs in iDeCo, only mutual funds.

[RetireJapan]

Thank you for your response!

Can I switch at any time, even after only a couple of months, or is there a minimum time that I would have to hold the yokin fund?

No, you can switch at any time, but each switch will take a few working days to go through.

[Oasis]

Thank you for your response!

Can I switch at any time, even after only a couple of months, or is there a minimum time that I would have to hold the yokin fund?

No, you can switch at any time, but each switch will take a few working days to go through.

Okay, thank you for the clarification!