Asset Allocation Model Details
Take a closer look at our asset allocation models, including best, worst and median results over different periods.
Asset Allocation Models
Model A (20+ Years to Retirement)

- Has historically provided the highest long-term returns and the most risk of the four models.
- Growth and growth-and-income funds, the asset types with the highest typical returns and volatility, make up 75% of the portfolio.
Results Based on Annual Investments of $2,400 Over Various Periods
Time Period
Total Amount
Invested
Best Results
Worst Results
Median Results
5 years
$12,000
$24,044
24.13% a year
(7/31/1982–7/31/1987)
$7,955
–13.39% a year
(2/29/2004–02/28/2009)
$16,861
11.55% a year
(4/30/1985–4/30/1990)
10 years
$24,000
$69,911
18.83% a year
(8/31/1977–8/31/1987)
$17,800
0.00% a year
(2/28/1999–2/28/2009)
$44,147
10.84% a year
(7/31/2009–7/31/2019)
30 years
$72,000
$588,162
11.51% a year
(5/31/1977–5/31/2007)
$257,424
7.31% a year
(2/28/1979–2/28/2009)
$320,292
8.44% a year
(7/31/1980–7/31/2010)
Model B (5–20 Years to Retirement)

- Designed to provide growth potential along with some stability.
- Equity-income/balanced and bond fund segments can help temper the volatility of growth and growth-and-income funds, which still account for 55% of the portfolio.
Results Based on Annual Investments of $2,400 Over Various Periods
Time Period
Total Amount
Invested
Best Results
Worst Results
Median Results
5 years
$12,000
$22,837
22.27% a year
(7/31/1982–7/31/1987)
$9,096
–9.09% a year
(2/29/2004–2/28/2009)
$16,294
10.37% a year
(7/31/2010–7/31/2015)
10 years
$24,000
$65,384
17.67% a year
(3/31/1977–3/31/1987)
$20,792
–2.62% a year
(2/28/1999–2/28/2009)
$39,712
8.98% a year
(2/28/2009–2/28/2019)
30 years
$72,000
$530,580
11.00% a year
(2/29/1976–2/28/2006)
$249,022
7.13% a year
(12/31/1988–12/31/2018)
$313,549
8.33% a year
(12/31/1984–12/31/2014)
Model C (5 Years or Less to Retirement)

- Aims to reduce risk while also providing some growth.
- Largest fund category is made up of bond funds (35%), usually the least volatile of the four investment types found in the models.
Results Based on Annual Investments of $2,400 Over Various Periods
Time Period
Total Amount
Invested
Best Results
Worst Results
Median Results
5 years
$12,000
$22,202
21.25% a year
(7/31/1982–7/31/1987)
$9,694
–7.03% a year
(2/29/2004–2/28/2009)
$15,973
9.68% a year
(9/30/2008–9/30/2013)
10 years
$24,000
$63,327
17.11% a year
(2/28/1977–2/28/1987)
$22,280
–1.36% a year
(2/28/1999–2/28/2009)
$38,290
8.34% a year
(5/31/1992–5/31/2002)
30 years
$72,000
$501,223
10.71% a year
(2/29/1976–2/28/2006)
$237,797
6.89% a year
(12/31/1988–12/31/2018)
$307,147
8.23% a year
(4/30/1983–4/30/2013)
Model D (First 10 Years of Retirement)

- Has provided the most stability of the four models.
- Most income-oriented model, with 50% in bond funds and no growth funds.
- A 20% growth-and-income fund allocation provides a measure of growth potential in retirement.
Results Based on Annual Investments of $2,400 Over Various Periods
Time Period
Total Amount
Invested
Best Results
Worst Results
Median Results
5 years
$12,000
$22,083
21.06% a year
(8/31/1981–8/31/1986)
$10,930
–3.10% a year
(2/29/2004–2/28/2009)
$15,318
8.25% a year
(2/28/1990–2/28/1995)
10 years
$24,000
$59,754
16.11% a year
(2/28/1977–2/28/1987)
$25,424
1.04% a year
(2/28/1999–2/28/2009)
$36,367
7.43% a year
(8/31/1992–8/31/2002)
30 years
$72,000
$451,453
10.19% a year
(2/29/1976–2/28/2006)
$217,585
6.42% a year
(12/31/1988–12/31/2018)
$297,669
8.06% a year
(4/30/1983–4/30/2013)
These tables are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to provide investment advice or portray actual investment results. Individual results will vary. Hypothetical average annual returns are calculated from 1976 to 2019 and reflect weighted averages of the results of unmanaged indexes used to represent each fund category. The fund categories are represented by the following indexes: Lipper Growth Fund Index (growth), Lipper Growth and Income Fund Index (growth-and-income); a blend of the S&P 500 with the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index weighted by their cumulative total returns at 60% and 40% respectively; this assumes the blend is rebalanced monthly (equity-income/balanced); and Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index (bond).
These models emphasize an investor’s time horizon and take into account the historic returns of different asset classes (growth, growth-and-income, equity-income/balanced and bond funds). Specifically, the models seek to balance total return and stability over time. They are designed to take on more risk (in hopes of higher returns) the further an investor is from retirement and less risk (to help preserve capital) as an investor approaches retirement. The models seek to give investors ample equity exposure as they get closer to retirement in an effort to help them outpace inflation over an expected distribution period of 20 years or more.
When evaluating particular asset allocation models for your individual situation, you should consider your risk tolerance, as well as other assets, income and investments (e.g., home equity, Social Security benefits, savings accounts, and interests in other qualified and nonqualified plans) in addition to any investments in your plan(s) or IRA(s).