1. Risk Level at Retirement Comparison of “to” versus “through” funds
To retirement
100%
20%
10%
70%
• Stocks
20%
• Bonds
• Cash 80
80%
Target date 60
60%
40% 40 20
Through retirement
100%
10%
20%
70%
10%
90% 80
Risk Level at Retirement
Target-date funds can be designed to build up savings “to” an individual’s target retirement date, with allocations becoming more conservative at retirement. This approach results in funds adopting higher allocations to fixed-income investments at/towards the retirement date, and a static portfolio thereafter. Contrary to this approach is the principle of “through” retirement funds. Here the target-date fund is designed to help investors through retirement, with the goal of accumulating wealth long after the retirement (target) date. Funds adopting this approach may have higher allocations to stocks at the target date, followed by a declining allocation 10 to 30 years post retirement. It is important to understand that these two approaches may differ vastly in risk and reward trade-off due to the way a fund invests in stocks and bonds over time.
The hypothetical image above illustrates the difference in allocations to stocks and bonds in both the “to” and “through” approaches. Both images display changes in allocation to stocks, bonds, and cash over a 40-year period starting in 2012, with a target retirement date of The “to” approach emphasizes the static glide path, while the “through” approach emphasizes a declining glide path.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification does not eliminate the risk of experiencing investment losses. This is for illustrative purposes only and not indicative of any investment. Government bonds are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States government as to the timely payment of principal and interest, while stocks are not guaranteed and have been more volatile than the other asset classes.
The target date is the approximate date when investors plan to start withdrawing assets. The investment objectives of each fund are adjusted over time to become more conservative as the target date approaches. A glide path illustrates an investment’s change in target asset allocation along specific time points as an investor approaches, reaches, and settles into retirement. It graphically depicts how the allocation shifts from a more aggressive investment approach to a more conservative one as the investment nears its target maturity date. The principal value of the fund(s) is not guaranteed at any time, including at the target date. Investing in target-date funds always involves risk, including the possibility of losing the entire investment. The allocations used in this example are hypothetical and do not represent any particular investment.
An investment in a target-date fund is not guaranteed, and you may experience losses, including losses near, at, or after the target date. There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income at and through retirement. Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the fund carefully before investing.
Target-date funds are sold by prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial professional or the company and which contains complete information, including investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Investors should read the prospectus and consider this information carefully before investing or sending money. 60
50%
50% 40 20 20 15 10 5 5 10 15 20
Years to retirement
Years after retirement
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This is for illustrative purposes only and not indicative of any investment. An investment cannot be made directly in an index. © 2014 Morningstar. All Rights Reserved.