Updated 2026-03-20
T. Rowe Price vs Lincoln Financial 401(k) Comparison
Compare T. Rowe Price (#5, 8.5/10) and Lincoln Financial (#17, 6.9/10) side by side across fees, ratings, features, and investment options.
Overall Comparison
| Feature | T. Rowe Price | Lincoln Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.5/10 | 6.9/10 |
| Rank | #5 | #17 |
| AUM | $1.3 trillion | $350 billion |
| Participants | 10 million | 8 million |
| Plan Sponsors | 4,500+ | 10,000+ |
| Founded | 1937 | 1905 |
Ratings Comparison
| Category | T. Rowe Price | Lincoln Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Fees & Costs | 3.8/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Investment Options | 4.6/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.4/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Mobile App | 4.2/5 | 3.4/5 |
Fee Comparison
| Fee Type | T. Rowe Price | Lincoln Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Admin Fees | $0 - $50/year | Varies by plan size |
| Expense Ratios | 0.30% - 1.2% | 0.10% - 1.5% |
| Trading Fees | $0 for T. Rowe Price funds | Plan dependent |
| Advisory Fees | 0.30% - 1.25% | 0.40% - 1.0% |
T. Rowe Price Strengths
- Excellent actively managed fund performance
- Best-in-class target date funds
- Strong research capabilities
- No-transaction-fee mutual fund platform
Lincoln Financial Strengths
- Strong guaranteed income and annuity options
- Insurance-backed stability
- Lincoln Director platform for plan sponsors
- Managed account services through Lincoln Alliance
Rollover, Loans & Withdrawals
| Feature | T. Rowe Price | Lincoln Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Rollover Platform | Individual.troweprice.com | Lincoln Financial Portal |
| Loans Available | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal Methods | Online portal, Phone (800-225-5132) | Online via Lincoln Financial portal, Phone (800-454-6265), Through plan administrator |
| Distribution Options | Lump sum, Partial withdrawal, Installment payments, Rollover to IRA | Lump sum, Partial withdrawal, Annuity conversion, Installment payments, Rollover to IRA, Required Minimum Distributions |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose T. Rowe Price if you want:
- Active fund believers
- Target-date fund users
- Research-oriented investors
- Long-term holders
Choose Lincoln Financial if you want:
- Companies wanting guaranteed income options
- Insurance-focused employers
- Mid-size to large plans
- Annuity seekers
Our Verdict: T. Rowe Price vs Lincoln Financial
T. Rowe Price wins this comparison with a score of 8.5/10 vs 6.9/10. T. Rowe Price excels with excellent actively managed fund performance, making it the stronger choice for most investors in this matchup. However, the best choice ultimately depends on your specific needs, employer plan availability, and investment preferences.
Other Popular Comparisons
Compare these 401(k) providers head-to-head
Vanguard vs Lincoln FinancialCompare these 401(k) providers head-to-head
Schwab vs Lincoln FinancialCompare these 401(k) providers head-to-head
Empower vs Lincoln FinancialCompare these 401(k) providers head-to-head
T. Rowe Price vs PrincipalCompare these 401(k) providers head-to-head
T. Rowe Price vs ADPCompare these 401(k) providers head-to-head
T. Rowe Price vs Lincoln Financial: Complete 401(k) Comparison for 2026
Choosing between T. Rowe Price and Lincoln Financial for your 401(k) is an important decision that affects your retirement savings. T. Rowe Price offers active management while Lincoln Financial is known for top 10 recordkeeper. In terms of fees, T. Rowe Price charges 0.30% - 1.2% expense ratios compared to Lincoln Financial's 0.10% - 1.5%. T. Rowe Price manages $1.3 trillion in assets and serves 10 million participants, while Lincoln Financial has $350 billion AUM and 8 million participants.
Key Differences: T. Rowe Price vs Lincoln Financial
When comparing T. Rowe Price and Lincoln Financial, consider their core strengths: T. Rowe Price excels with excellent actively managed fund performance, while Lincoln Financial stands out for strong guaranteed income and annuity options. Both providers offer a wide range of investment options including target-date funds, index funds, and managed accounts. T. Rowe Price's customer service rating is 4.4/5 compared to Lincoln Financial's 3.9/5. For mobile experience, T. Rowe Price scores 4.2/5 while Lincoln Financial scores 3.4/5.
Which Provider is Right for You?
Choose T. Rowe Price if you prioritize active fund believers. Choose Lincoln Financial if you're looking for companies wanting guaranteed income options. Your decision should also consider your employer's plan availability, fee sensitivity, desired investment options, and customer service expectations. For detailed reviews, visit our individual T. Rowe Price and Lincoln Financial provider pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
T. Rowe Price scores higher in our 2026 rankings with 8.5/10. T. Rowe Price is best for active fund believers, while Lincoln Financial is best for companies wanting guaranteed income options. The right choice depends on your employer's plan and your priorities.
T. Rowe Price charges expense ratios of 0.30% - 1.2% with admin fees of $0 - $50/year. Lincoln Financial charges 0.10% - 1.5% expense ratios with admin fees of Varies by plan size. T. Rowe Price's fees rating is 3.8/5 compared to Lincoln Financial's 3.3/5.
Yes, you can roll over between T. Rowe Price and Lincoln Financial. T. Rowe Price uses Individual.troweprice.com for rollovers, while Lincoln Financial uses Lincoln Financial Portal. A direct rollover avoids mandatory tax withholding. Contact your new provider to initiate the transfer.
T. Rowe Price offers 401(k) loans. Lincoln Financial offers 401(k) loans. Both providers typically allow loans up to 50% of your vested balance or $50,000, whichever is less.
T. Rowe Price scores 4.6/5 for investment options, while Lincoln Financial scores 3.8/5. Both offer target-date funds, index funds, and managed accounts. T. Rowe Price's investment options include Active Mutual Funds, Target Date Funds, Index Funds. Lincoln Financial offers Mutual Funds, Target Date Funds, Fixed Annuities.
For small businesses, consider plan minimums and per-participant costs. T. Rowe Price is best for active fund believers, target-date fund users, research-oriented investors, long-term holders. Lincoln Financial is best for companies wanting guaranteed income options, insurance-focused employers, mid-size to large plans, annuity seekers. Compare admin fees: T. Rowe Price charges $0 - $50/year vs Lincoln Financial's Varies by plan size.
Pavlo Pyskunov
Managing Director & Investment Fund Director
Pavlo Pyskunov analyzes employer-sponsored retirement plans using IRS publications and DOL Form 5500 filings, helping workers maximize their 401(k) savings through data-driven guidance.
Last updated: 2026-03-20