This investment strategy offers a diversified portfolio designed for individuals planning to retire around the year 2050. It typically includes a mix of stocks, bonds, and other asset classes, with the allocation automatically adjusting to become more conservative as the target retirement date approaches. For instance, a portfolio might initially hold a higher percentage of stocks for growth potential and gradually shift towards a higher percentage of bonds for income and capital preservation as 2050 nears.
Such a strategy aims to simplify investing for retirement by managing asset allocation and reducing the need for frequent portfolio adjustments. Historically, target-date funds have gained popularity as a convenient option for long-term retirement planning within defined-contribution plans like 401(k)s. The gradual shift in asset allocation, known as the “glide path,” seeks to balance the need for growth early in the savings horizon with the desire for reduced risk as retirement nears.