What is a characteristic of target date funds?

Target date funds are specifically designed to automatically adjust their asset allocation as the target date approaches, typically aligning with an investor's expected retirement date. As the investor nears retirement, the fund gradually shifts from a more aggressive allocation, which may include a higher percentage of equities, to a more conservative allocation, often focusing on bonds and cash equivalents. This adjustment process helps to reduce risk as the investor gets closer to needing the capital for retirement, aiming to preserve capital while providing growth during the earlier years.

The essence of a target date fund is to provide a hands-off investment option that takes into consideration the changing risk tolerance of the investor, making option C a defining characteristic of these funds. This dynamic strategy distinguishes target date funds from those with a fixed asset allocation, which do not vary based on time and thus do not adapt to the investor's changing needs as they approach retirement.