This type of investment represents a diversified portfolio designed to gradually shift its asset allocation toward a more conservative mix as a specific year approaches. The underlying investments typically transition from a higher concentration of stocks to a greater emphasis on bonds and other fixed-income securities over time. For example, a portfolio aimed at the year 2025 would likely hold a more conservative asset allocation in 2023 than it did in 2015.
These investment vehicles are often chosen for retirement planning due to their automated approach to risk management. The evolving asset allocation aims to align with the decreasing time horizon of investors nearing retirement, theoretically reducing the potential impact of market fluctuations as the target date nears. This “glide path” toward a more conservative portfolio is a core feature, designed to help investors manage risk as they approach their retirement date. The historical performance of such funds depends on various factors, including market conditions and the specific investment strategy employed by the fund manager.