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Heterogeneity in Target-Date Funds: Optimal Risk-Taking or Risk Matching?

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  • Pierluigi Balduzzi
  • Jonathan Reuter

Abstract

Following the Pension Protection Act of 2006, there was a sharp increase in the use of TDFs as default investment options in defined contribution retirement plans. We document large differences in realized TDF returns and risk profiles, even for funds with the same target retirement date. Using fund-level data, we find evidence that this heterogeneity reflects optimal risk-taking by fund families with low market share, especially those entering the market after 2006. Using plan-level data, we find little evidence that 401(k) plan sponsors match the risk profile of the TDFs in their plans to the risks of their companies.

Suggested Citation

  • Pierluigi Balduzzi & Jonathan Reuter, 2012. "Heterogeneity in Target-Date Funds: Optimal Risk-Taking or Risk Matching?," NBER Working Papers 17886, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:17886
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    Cited by:

    1. John Y. Campbell, 2016. "Restoring Rational Choice: The Challenge of Consumer Financial Regulation," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 106(5), pages 1-30, May.
    2. Chalmers, John & Reuter, Jonathan, 2020. "Is conflicted investment advice better than no advice?," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 138(2), pages 366-387.
    3. Geert Bekaert & Kenton Hoyem & Wei-Yin Hu & Enrichetta Ravina, 2015. "Who is Internationally Diversified? Evidence from 296 401(k)," NBER Working Papers 21236, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors

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