Target-Date Glide Path Calculator
See the stock/bond mix a target-date glide path would set for you today, where it lands at retirement, and how fast it shifts each year.
How it works
Equity% = clamp(120 − age, floor, 100), sliding to the floor at retirement · Shift/year = (equity now − equity at retirement) ÷ years to retirement
A target-date fund follows a glide path: it holds mostly stocks when retirement is far off and automatically shifts toward bonds as the date approaches, stopping at an equity floor it keeps through retirement. This model uses the common "120 minus age" rule of thumb, clamped so it never drops below your chosen floor. The per-year shift shows how gradually the de-risking happens — abrupt moves are exactly what a glide path is designed to avoid.
Worked example
At age 40 with retirement at 65 and a 40% floor, 120 − 40 = 80% stocks today. That eases by about 1.6 points a year to a 55% floor... actually to max(40, 120−65) = 55% at 65. On a $250,000 portfolio that is $200,000 in stocks today.
Frequently asked questions
What is a glide path?
The pre-set schedule by which a target-date fund reduces its stock allocation over time. It is high in stocks decades before retirement and glides down to a conservative mix around and after the target date, rebalancing automatically so you never have to.
Why do target-date funds still hold stocks in retirement?
Because retirement can last 30 years and inflation erodes an all-bond portfolio. Keeping 30–50% in stocks at the target date helps the money keep growing and lasting, which is why the glide path flattens at a floor rather than going to zero equity.
Is "120 minus age" the only rule?
No. It is one common heuristic; others use 110 or 100 minus age for a more conservative tilt. Real target-date funds use proprietary glide paths that differ by provider. Treat this as a reasonable illustration, not the exact allocation of any specific fund.
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Educational estimate, not investment or tax advice.