Target date retirement series — American Funds

A smart choice for investing for retirement

The American Funds Target Date Retirement Series® is a professionally managed collection of mutual funds designed to help you invest for retirement and meet your changing financial needs over time.

One fund. Many benefits.

Each fund is made up of a broad range of investments. That’s important when saving for retirement because spreading your investment dollars among different types of investments can help reduce volatility.

American Funds Target Date Retirement Series

Investments in American Funds target date funds are allocated among a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds. Investors select a target date fund, typically the one nearest their anticipated retirement date. Over time, that fund's mix of stocks and bonds will shift toward more conservative investments. This gradual shift over time is called a "glide path."

Here’s how it works:

  • Significant stock investments throughout the lifetime of your fund can help manage the risk of outliving your savings in retirement.
  • An increased emphasis on bonds as you near your retirement date can help manage the risk of market declines.
  • The fund is managed beyond retirement, so you could feasibly use a single fund for decades.

Our objective-based glide path

This stacked area chart illustrates the high-level overview of the glide path, showing how the asset allocation evolves over time. The y-axis tracks asset allocation and is scaled from 90% to 100%, while the x-axis, which tracks years, begins 45 years before retirement and continues for 30 years following retirement. The glide path shows that initially the target allocations are tilted towards equities (including growth, growth-and-income, and balanced fund investments), with only a small amount, less than 10%, allocated to fixed income. Over the period, the types of equity allocations decrease and shift; growth stocks are phased out by about 10-years post retirement, while equity-income investments are introduced and steadily increase from about 30 years pre-retirement. By the end of the period, equity investments account for less than half of the total allocations. Fixed income allocations follow a roughly opposite path, increasing in share of the portfolio as well as the roles served within it. Around 20 to 15 years prior to retirement, allocations expand from investments focused on diversification from equities to include inflation protection, income and capital preservation. By the end of the period, fixed income investments in aggregate account for more than half of total allocations.

Although the target date portfolios are managed for investors on a projected retirement date time frame, the allocation strategy does not guarantee that investors' retirement goals will be met. Investment professionals manage the portfolio, moving it from a more growth-oriented strategy to a more income-oriented focus as the target date gets closer. The target date is the year that corresponds roughly to the year in which an investor is assumed to retire and begin taking withdrawals. Investment professionals continue to manage each portfolio for approximately 30 years after it reaches its target date.

The target allocations shown are as of March 31, 2026, and are subject to the oversight committee's discretion. The investment adviser anticipates assets will be invested within a range that deviates no more than 10% above or below the allocations shown in the prospectus. Underlying funds may be added or removed during the year. Visit capitalgroup.com for current allocations.

Benefit from professional oversight and a commitment to low fees

Low fees are crucial to positive investor outcomes

There are fees and expenses associated with investing through an employer’s retirement plan. High investment fees and costs can reduce your long-term retirement savings. The lower the costs, the better it is for you.
 

Experience can make a difference

Our Target Date Solutions Committee brings a diversity of experience and draws on the fundamental research and quantitative resources of the global Capital Group team.

An emphasis on stocks

Our approach to allocating between stocks and bonds puts more emphasis on stocks than some other target date funds. This helps manage the risk of investors outliving their savings. We also place a greater emphasis on dividend-paying stocks in an effort to provide more equity exposure while managing volatility.
 

Investment professionals invest alongside you

In addition to managing the funds, our investment professionals invest their own money in the funds.

Find your target date fund

The target date is the year closest to the year you plan to retire. To find your target date fund, add your birth year to the year you plan to retire and begin taking retirement withdrawals. The retirement age is 65 for many investors but may be different for you.

To determine your retirement year:

 

Birth year

+

Retirement age

 

Retirement year

Select the fund that is closest to your retirement year

2070  |  2065  |  2060  |  2055  |  2050  |  2045  | 2040  |  2035  |  2030  |  2025  | 2020  |  2015  |  2010

The Target Date Solutions Committee is responsible for overseeing the target date series. Committee members average 31 years of investment industry experience as of December 31, 2025.

Related products

American Funds College Target Date Series®

American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series

Other resources

Retirement planning calculator

Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.
Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the mutual fund prospectuses and/or summary prospectuses, which can be obtained from a financial professional and should be read carefully before investing.
Although the target date portfolios are managed for investors on a projected retirement date time frame, the allocation strategy does not guarantee that investors' retirement goals will be met. Investment professionals manage the portfolio, moving it from a more growth-oriented strategy to a more income-oriented focus as the target date gets closer. The target date is the year that corresponds roughly to the year in which an investor is assumed to retire and begin taking withdrawals. Investment professionals continue to manage each portfolio for approximately 30 years after it reaches its target date.
This material does not constitute legal or tax advice. Investors should consult with their legal or tax advisors.
All Capital Group trademarks mentioned are owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc., an affiliated company or fund. All other company and product names mentioned are the property of their respective companies.
Use of this website is intended for U.S. residents only.
Capital Client Group, Inc.
This content, developed by Capital Group, home of American Funds, should not be used as a primary basis for investment decisions and is not intended to serve as impartial investment or fiduciary advice.