Generally, the asset allocation of each fund will change on an annual basis with the asset allocation becoming more conservative as the fund
nears the target retirement date.
As
you near your target retirement date the fund gets progressively more conservative by shifting the asset mix from stocks to bonds.
Not exact matches
Assumptions and forecasts used by SSgA FM in developing the Fund's asset allocation glide path may not be in line with future capital market returns and participant savings activities, which could result in losses
near, at or after the
target date year or could result in the Fund not providing adequate income at and through
retirement.
You also probably want to revisit that risk tolerance - allocation tool every couple of years, especially as you
near retirement, to see whether your risk tolerance has changed and, if so, re-set your
target stocks - bonds mix.
As a result of the S&P STRIDE Index Series methodology, the index weight of
near - dated S&P STRIDE Indices are heavily allocated to a mix of U.S. TIPS matching the duration of
retirement income for the respective
target year.
Target date funds are designed to do just that — provide age - appropriate diversification and dial down risk as you
near retirement.
By choosing a
target - date fund with a date that corresponds to the year you expect to retire (2020, 2030, 2040, whatever), you get a mix of stock and bond funds appropriate for your current age that automatically becomes more conservative as you
near retirement.
In my opinion,
target date funds — those that simply match an allocation to your expected future
retirement date, periodically reallocating the portfolio to become more conservative as you
near retirement — are (much) better than nothing.
Target - date funds for investors in or
near retirement are more exposed to bonds than they have been in years.
The practical implications of this risk / growth trade - off, particularly for investors
nearing retirement target dates or in the years just after the
retirement target date, become real with a sudden and significant drop in worldwide stock prices.
If that's too scary, or too much work, put your portfolio on autopilot with
target date style
retirement funds that automatically adjust as you
near the big day.
Or, Scott recommends
target - date funds, which have managers who shift your portfolio allocation over time from stocks to more conservative investments as you
near retirement age.
The brokers were accused of specifically
targeting Federal employees
nearing retirement with sizable funds invested in the TSP.
Target - date funds are mutual funds that invest in a mix of stocks and bonds that is adjusted as you age, maximizing your chance for returns when young and reducing your risk of losses as you
near retirement.
In addition,
target - date funds (TDFs), which have become an increasingly popular DC plan QDIA in recent years, start out with greater equity holdings and then automatically reduce equity allocations as participants
near retirement.