Target retirement date funds, which are also called target date or lifecycle funds, are one of the most important innovations in retirement savings. These funds provide a convenient way for a retirement plan participant to purchase a mix of asset classes, professionally designed and managed, that is rebalanced and becomes more conservative as the participant ages. As of June 30, 2021, approximately $1.8 trillion was invested in target date mutual funds.
ICI and its members have worked to enhance understanding of target date funds. This page provides information and resources on target date funds prepared by ICI. It includes FAQs, Five Principles to Enhance Understanding of Target Date Funds, links to ICI’s testimony on target date funds, and links to other relevant information. ICI will update this page as events unfold.
ICI Materials to Enhance Understanding of Target Retirement Date Funds
The Fact(or)s Matter When Measuring TDF Performance
Quick Facts on Target Date Funds (pdf)
Quick Facts on Target Date Fund Use in Retirement Plans (pdf)
Target Date Funds: FAQs
Board Oversight of Target Retirement Date Funds
Principles to Enhance Understanding of Target Date Funds (pdf)
Research and Statistics on Target Retirement Date Funds
Comment Letters & Testimony
ICI Comment Letter in Response to DOL's Request for Comment on Its Target Date Fund Disclosure Propo...
ICI Submits Comment Letter in Response to SEC's Latest Target Date Funds Release (pdf)
ICI Submits Comment Letter to DOL on the SEC TDF Study (pdf)
News Releases
Target Date Funds Continue to Be Popular Investment Among Younger 401(k) Plan Participants
New EBRI/ICI Report Sheds Light on How Savers Use Target Date Funds in 401(k) Plans
Target Date Funds Remain Popular Investment in 401(k) Plans
Other Resources
- SEC Reopens Comment Period for Its Target Date Funds Proposal
Apr 3, 2014
- Investor Advisory Committee’s Target Date Funds Recommendation
Apr 11, 2013
- SEC Proposal for Target Date Fund Names and Marketing Materials
Jun 16, 2010
- Hearing on Target Date Funds, U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
Oct 28, 2009
- Comments Submitted to SEC for Joint DOL/SEC Hearing on Target Date Funds
Jun 18, 2009