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Target-date funds and portfolio choice in 401(k) plans

Author

Listed:
  • Mitchell, Olivia S.
  • Utkus, Stephen P.

Abstract

Target-date funds in corporate retirement plans grew from $5 billion in 2000 to $734 billion in 2018, partly because federal regulation sanctioned these as default investments in automatic enrollment plans. We show that adopters delegated pension investment decisions to fund managers selected by plan sponsors. Inclusion of these funds in retirement saving menus raised equity shares, boosted bond exposures, curtailed cash/company stock holdings, and reduced idiosyncratic risk. The adoption of low-cost target-date funds may enhance retirement wealth by as much as 50% over a 30-year horizon.

Suggested Citation

  • Mitchell, Olivia S. & Utkus, Stephen P., 2022. "Target-date funds and portfolio choice in 401(k) plans," Journal of Pension Economics and Finance, Cambridge University Press, vol. 21(4), pages 519-536, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jpenef:v:21:y:2022:i:4:p:519-536_3
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Bazley, William J. & Cici, Gjergji & Liao, Junchao, 2025. "Conflicts of interest among affiliated financial advisors in 401(k) plans: Implications for plan participants," CFR Working Papers 25-03, University of Cologne, Centre for Financial Research (CFR).
    2. Lee, Minjoon, 2023. "Portfolio allocation over the life cycle with multiple late-in-life saving motives," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    3. Mao, Mike Qinghao & Wong, Ching Hin, 2022. "Managerial commitment and heterogeneity in target-date funds," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 1-19.
    4. Mao, Mike Qinghao & Wong, Ching Hin, 2025. "Increased risk-taking by lifecycle funds," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    5. Mao, Mike Qinghao & Wong, Ching Hin, 2022. "Why have target-date funds performed better in the COVID-19 selloff than the 2008 selloff?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    6. Chen, Guodong & Lee, Minjoon & Nam, Tong-yob, 2020. "Forced retirement risk and portfolio choice," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 293-315.
    7. Mitchell, Olivia S., 2020. "Building better retirement systems in the wake of the global pandemic," CFS Working Paper Series 644, Center for Financial Studies (CFS).
    8. Ioannis Petrakis & Georgios A. Panos, 2025. "Pension Policy and Personal Finance: Defined-Contribution Plans and Retirement Strategies in the United Kingdom," Working Papers 2025_06, Business School - Economics, University of Glasgow.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • G5 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance
    • G51 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Household Savings, Borrowing, Debt, and Wealth
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions

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