Lifecycle funds

Lifecycle funds

A lifecycle fund is a comprehensive investing choice that provides a diversified portfolio with an asset allocation tailored to the year you anticipate retiring. Lifecycle funds can be a good option for investors who want a hands-off approach to investing.  

They can also be a good choice for investors unsure how to allocate their assets, as the fund managers will do this for them. However, it is important to note that lifecycle funds come with fees, which can eat into returns over time. 

What is a lifecycle fund? 

Lifecycle funds are investment funds that aim to provide investors with a diversified portfolio appropriate for their life stage. The portfolio is rebalanced periodically to reflect the investor’s changing needs as they age.  

 For example, a 20-year-old investor would be allocated more of their investment to growth assets such as shares. In comparison, a 60-year-old investor would be allocated a greater percentage to defensive assets such as cash and bonds.  

 The rebalancing of the portfolio is designed to provide the investor with an optimal mix of growth and income as their needs change over time. Lifecycle funds can be a helpful way for investors to achieve their long-term financial goals. 

How does a lifecycle fund work? 

The concept of the investing lifecycle is tied to your age and stage in life. Your capacity and tolerance for risk are more while you’re single than when you’re a family person, and they shrink as your children get older and the gap to retirement gets closer. 

 When the client approaches retirement, a lifecycle fund instantly modifies its asset allocation to fit risk tolerance. Reducing risk as you get closer to retirement helps keep your money safe and guards you against an unforeseen loss just before or after you stop working. 

Benefits of lifecycle funds 

  • Lifecycle funds are convenient for investors with a specific demand for capital at a specified time. Lifecycle fund investors may easily set their investing activity on autopilot with only one fund. Investors may expect to receive the ideal balanced portfolio each year thanks to the lifecycle funds’ fixed asset allocations.  
  • Through their fixed asset allocations, lifecycle funds provide investors with the perfect diversified portfolio yearly. 
  • A lifecycle fund could be suitable for investors who want to take a fairly passive approach to retirement. 
  • A predetermined route’s additional clarity makes investors trust the fund more. 

Criticisms of lifecycle funds 

Lifecycle funds have several detractors who claim that their age-based strategy is incorrect. For instance, the bull market’s age might be more significant than the investor’s age. Benjamin Graham, a renowned investor, recommended altering stock and bond investments depending on market values instead of your age. 

 A more active strategy could be preferred by investors as well. To achieve their investment objectives, such investors should speak with a financial counsellor or use alternative funding sources. 

Example of a lifecycle fund 

Let’s use an example to understand better how the lifecycle fund functions. Think about investing in a lifecycle fund in 2023 with a goal date of sometime in 2063. The fund will allocate assets aggressively throughout the initial years. 

 It may invest as much as 80% in stock and the remaining debt. As time passes, less money will be allocated to equity investments, and more money market products, including bonds, will take their place. 

 Your fund will have at least 60% of assets allocated to bonds and 40% to equities by the time you reach the year 2043 when you will be midway down your life cycle, and it will stay that way until your retirement in the year 2063. 

Frequently Asked Questions

A lifecycle fund, often referred to as a target-date fund, can be a perfect option if you don’t have the time to devote hours to selecting and managing an asset allocation for your retirement plan.  

 Lifecycle funds benefit because they are more sensible for investors with a targeted need for capital at a certain time. In lifecycle funds, investors may easily and rapidly set their investments on autopilot. 

 These funds can be regarded as low-risk investments; however, risk varies amongst funds. All stock market investment carries some risk. The funds’ ability to generate large returns by the target date is not guaranteed. 

A young investor planning for retirement would normally select a lifecycle fund with a goal date of 30 to 40 years in the future. However, an investor getting close to retirement age could be considering a working retirement with a small business providing some income. 

These funds suit young investors with at least a 25-year investment horizon. Also, individuals with a specific financial need at a specific time may want to consider participating in lifecycle funds since they are convenient. 

Here are a few advantages of lifecycle funds: 

  • Target-date funds often need the investor to decide where to invest, necessitating little investing experience. 
  • Also, a broad portfolio might show an investor’s risk tolerance at various stages of their life. Investors can more easily create a balanced portfolio with the help of these funds, significantly lowering their overall risk. 
  • Experienced, professional fund administration experts often manage target-date funds. 

Lifecycle funds are all-in-one investment funds that aim to provide investors with a portfolio suitable for their stage in life. The fund managers will invest in a mix of appropriate assets for the target audience and will rebalance the portfolio as the investor moves through different life stages. 

The majority of lifecycle funds employ the “fund of funds” concept, which involves investing in other mutual funds.  

Investors with specified objectives who need money at particular times are designated clients of lifecycle funds. Investments for retirement are often made with these funds. But, investors can utilise them when they require money in the future. Each lifecycle fund identifies the fund with a goal date to specify its temporal horizon. 

    Read the Latest Market Journal

    How to select a unit trust

    Published on Apr 25, 2024 28 

    Navigating the vast world of unit trusts can be daunting. With nearly 2000 funds available...

    Predicting Trend Reversals with Candlestick Patterns for Beginners

    Published on Apr 24, 2024 51 

    Candlestick patterns are used to predict the future direction of price movements as they contain...

    Introduction to unit trust

    Published on Apr 23, 2024 39 

    In the diverse and complex world of investing, unit trusts stand out as a popular...

    Back in Business: The Return of IPOs & Top Traded Counters in March 2024

    Published on Apr 17, 2024 587 

    Start trading on POEMS! Open a free account here! At a glance: Major indices continue...

    Weekly Updates 15/4/24 – 19/4/24

    Published on Apr 15, 2024 72 

    This weekly update is designed to help you stay informed and relate economic and company...

    From $50 to $100: Unveiling the Impact of Inflation

    Published on Apr 12, 2024 161 

    In recent years, inflation has become a hot topic, evoking strong emotions as the cost...

    Japan’s Economic Resurgence: Unveiling the Tailwinds Behind Nikkei 225’s Record Leap

    Published on Apr 11, 2024 91 

    Source: eSignal, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. In the heart of Japan’s economic landscape, the Nikkei 225...

    Weekly Updates 8/4/24 – 12/4/24

    Published on Apr 8, 2024 111 

      This weekly update is designed to help you stay informed and relate economic and...

    Contact us to Open an Account

    Need Assistance? Share your Details and we’ll get back to you

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    This material is provided by Phillip Capital Management (S) Ltd (“PCM”) for general information only and does not constitute a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of any offer to invest in any of the exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) or the unit trust (“Products”) mentioned herein. It does not have any regard to your specific investment objectives, financial situation and any of your particular needs. You should read the Prospectus and the accompanying Product Highlights Sheet (“PHS”) for key features, key risks and other important information of the Products and obtain advice from a financial adviser (“FA“) pursuant to a separate engagement before making a commitment to invest in the Products. In the event that you choose not to obtain advice from a FA, you should assess whether the Products are suitable for you before proceeding to invest. A copy of the Prospectus and PHS are available from PCM, any of its Participating Dealers (“PDs“) for the ETF, or any of its authorised distributors for the unit trust managed by PCM.  

    An ETF is not like a typical unit trust as the units of the ETF (the “Units“) are to be listed and traded like any share on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”). Listing on the SGX-ST does not guarantee a liquid market for the Units which may be traded at prices above or below its NAV or may be suspended or delisted. Investors may buy or sell the Units on SGX-ST when it is listed. Investors cannot create or redeem Units directly with PCM and have no rights to request PCM to redeem or purchase their Units. Creation and redemption of Units are through PDs if investors are clients of the PDs, who have no obligation to agree to create or redeem Units on behalf of any investor and may impose terms and conditions in connection with such creation or redemption orders. Please refer to the Prospectus of the ETF for more details.  

    Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The purchase of a unit in a fund is not the same as placing your money on deposit with a bank or deposit-taking company. There is no guarantee as to the amount of capital invested or return received. The value of the units and the income accruing to the units may fall or rise. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of the future or likely performance of the Products. There can be no assurance that investment objectives will be achieved.  

    Where applicable, fund(s) may invest in financial derivatives and/or participate in securities lending and repurchase transactions for the purpose of hedging and/or efficient portfolio management, subject to the relevant regulatory requirements. PCM reserves the discretion to determine if currency exposure should be hedged actively, passively or not at all, in the best interest of the Products.  

    The regular dividend distributions, out of either income and/or capital, are not guaranteed and subject to PCM’s discretion. Past payout yields and payments do not represent future payout yields and payments. Such dividend distributions will reduce the available capital for reinvestment and may result in an immediate decrease in the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Products. Please refer to <www.phillipfunds.com> for more information in relation to the dividend distributions.  

    The information provided herein may be obtained or compiled from public and/or third party sources that PCM has no reason to believe are unreliable. Any opinion or view herein is an expression of belief of the individual author or the indicated source (as applicable) only. PCM makes no representation or warranty that such information is accurate, complete, verified or should be relied upon as such. The information does not constitute, and should not be used as a substitute for tax, legal or investment advice.  

    The information herein are not for any person in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or availability for use would contravene any applicable law or regulation or would subject PCM to any registration or licensing requirement in such jurisdiction or country. The Products is not offered to U.S. Persons. PhillipCapital Group of Companies, including PCM, their affiliates and/or their officers, directors and/or employees may own or have positions in the Products. Any member of the PhillipCapital Group of Companies may have acted upon or used the information, analyses and opinions herein before they have been published. 

    This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.  

     

    Phillip Capital Management (S) Ltd (Co. Reg. No. 199905233W)  
    250 North Bridge Road #06-00, Raffles City Tower ,Singapore 179101 
    Tel: (65) 6230 8133 Fax: (65) 65383066 www.phillipfunds.com