- Target Date
- How our active management approach stacks up against passive portfolios
- Eleven of our Retirement Funds beat passive competitors from inception through December 31, 2023.
- 2024-07-15 12:14
- Key Insights
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- We studied 11 of our Retirement Funds and found that all of them beat their passive competitors over various rolling periods from inception through December 31, 2023, net of fees.
- We compared the performance of each Retirement Fund with a custom composite index based on the performance of passive funds with comparable target dates.
- The custom composites were based on the oldest share class offered by each competing passive target date fund. The results were equally weighted by fund.
- Excess returns relative to the passive competitor indexes were positive, on average, across the 1‑, 3‑, 5‑, and 10‑year rolling time periods for the funds we examined.*
When selecting a target date fund, defined contribution plan sponsors and individual investors can choose from both passively managed strategies—those that invest in an underlying basket of index funds—and actively managed strategies, which seek to enhance returns through security selection and/or tactical asset allocation moves to exploit potential short‑term market opportunities.
When considering active target date funds, investors may wonder if an active management approach justifies the higher management fees that such funds typically charge relative to their passive competitors.
Value added by T. Rowe Price’s target date process
(Fig. 1) Relative to passive competitor indexes, fund inceptions through December 31, 2023
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Sources: T. Rowe Price and Morningstar (see Additional Disclosures). All data analysis by T. Rowe Price.
† Averages were time weighted based on the percentage of total rolling performance periods in each time frame provided by each Retirement Fund.
To demonstrate that T. Rowe Price’s active management approach has created value for our clients, we recently examined the relative performance of 11 of our Retirement Funds (RFs). These 11 RFs held approximately 96% of the RF assets managed by the firm as of December 31, 2023. The focus of our study was on performance relative to the passive target date strategies offered by our competitors.1
We measured performance over a variety of periods covering the full track record of each RF, instead of just looking at the most recent 1‑, 3‑, 5‑, and 10‑year periods. Every calendar month marked the start of a new rolling period—so an RF that launched on September 30, 2002, for example, had 184 rolling five‑year periods included in the study.
The active success rate records the percentage of times a fund beat its designated benchmark, net of fees and trading costs, over a specified time period (e.g., 10 years). Think of this as a measure of how often a client might look at his or her monthly statement and find that a fund has outperformed for that time period.
A measure of fund performance relative to a comparison benchmark, such as the passive competitor indexes used in this study. Excess return can be either positive or negative and typically is annualized over different time periods. The annualized return is what the investor could have earned if the rate of return during the period being measured had been maintained for one full year.
Study results
Relative to the passive competitor indexes, the value added by T. Rowe Price’s active RFs was both strongly positive and relatively stable across different time frames (Figure 1). Performance for individual RFs also was strongly positive, especially over the longer term (Figures 2 and 3):
- All 10 of the RFs with 10‑year track records included in the study outperformed their passive competitor indexes in 100% of rolling 10‑year periods since inception.
- Eight of the 11 funds in the study outperformed their passive competitor index in 96% or more of rolling five‑year periods since inception.
- All 11 RFs outperformed their passive competitor index in 80% or more of three‑year rolling periods since inception.
- Annualized excess returns relative to the passive competitor indexes were consistently positive, on average, across all time frames for all RFs.
Active success rates vs. equally weighted passive competitor indexes
(Fig. 2) Fund inceptions through December 31, 2023
Rolling Periods | |||||
Fund | 1-Year | 3-Year | 5-Year | 10-Year | |
Retirement 2010 Fund | 69% | 84% | 87% | 100% | |
Retirement 2015 Fund | 67 | 83 | 90 | 100 | |
Retirement 2020 Fund | 71 | 87 | 89 | 100 | |
Retirement 2025 Fund | 70 | 85 | 96 | 100 | |
Retirement 2030 Fund | 71 | 88 | 98 | 100 | |
Retirement 2035 Fund | 68 | 92 | 99 | 100 | |
Retirement 2040 Fund | 74 | 95 | 100 | 100 | |
Retirement 2045 Fund | 69 | 91 | 100 | 100 | |
Retirement 2050 Fund | 68 | 96 | 100 | 100 | |
Retirement 2055 Fund | 68 | 95 | 100 | 100 | |
Retirement 2060 Fund | 62 | 90 | 96 | N/A | |
Percent of Funds With Positive Active Success Rates | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Sources: T. Rowe Price and Morningstar (see Additional Disclosures).
All data analysis by T. Rowe Price.
Excess returns vs. equally weighted passive competitor indexes, net of fees
(Fig. 3) % points, fund inceptions through December 31, 2023
Rolling Periods | ||||
Fund | 1-Year | 3-Year | 5-Year | 10-Year |
Retirement 2010 Fund | 1.77 | 1.41 | 1.31 | 1.97 |
Retirement 2015 Fund | 1.27 | 1.05 | 1.03 | 1.03 |
Retirement 2020 Fund | 1.99 | 1.56 | 1.34 | 1.68 |
Retirement 2025 Fund | 1.64 | 1.34 | 1.26 | 1.18 |
Retirement 2030 Fund | 1.96 | 1.57 | 1.32 | 1.60 |
Retirement 2035 Fund | 1.30 | 1.04 | 1.00 | 0.99 |
Retirement 2040 Fund | 1.49 | 1.27 | 1.11 | 1.28 |
Retirement 2045 Fund | 1.01 | 0.85 | 0.86 | 0.84 |
Retirement 2050 Fund | 0.89 | 0.89 | 0.83 | 0.83 |
Retirement 2055 Fund | 0.74 | 0.72 | 0.65 | 0.64 |
Retirement 2060 Fund | 0.54 | 0.55 | 0.47 | N/A |
Sources: T. Rowe Price and Morningstar (see Additional Disclosures).
All data analysis by T. Rowe Price.
Study methodology
To represent the passive alternatives to T. Rowe Price’s actively managed target date strategies, we used a series of composite performance indexes consisting of passively managed target date funds identified by Morningstar, a leading mutual fund data provider, in its annual Target‑Date Strategy Landscape report. These indexes included passive funds offered by major target date providers, such as The Vanguard Group, Fidelity Investments, BlackRock, Inc., and State Street Corporation.2
The comparison index for each T. Rowe Price RF included the passive funds in the Morningstar universe with the same target date as the RF. The returns on these indexes were based on an equally weighted average of the oldest share class offered by each competing passive fund. The asset weights for all of these funds as of December 31, 2023, can be found in Figure A3 in the appendix.
While they are in the same category, there may be material differences among target date funds, including fees, expenses, and the portfolio mix of stocks, bonds, and other assets. Target date funds typically change their asset class allocations over time according to a predetermined glide path. Security selection within the underlying investments that make up those allocations can vary greatly between fund families and may have a material impact on fund performance.
RF relative performance was measured across rolling 1‑, 3‑, 5‑, and 10‑year periods (rolled monthly) from each fund’s inception date through December 31, 2023. Thus, the older the RF, the more rolling performance periods it had in each time frame studied.
Two performance measures were calculated for each RF:
- Active success rate: The percentage of total rolling periods in which the RF outperformed its passive competitor index. A positive success rate for a fund was defined as achieving a higher return than the relevant passive competitor index in more than 50% of all periods included in the study.
- Excess return: The return for each RF relative to its passive competitor index, averaged across all rolling performance periods in a given time frame.
To provide a high‑level summary of the relative effectiveness of T. Rowe Price’s target date process, we also calculated performance averages covering the 11 RFs in the study (Figure 1). These averages were time weighted based on the percentage of the total rolling performance periods in each time frame provided by each RF.
Retirement Funds excluded from the study
Two T. Rowe Price Retirement Funds—the Retirement 2005 Fund and the Retirement 2065 Fund—were excluded from this study. The Retirement 2005 Fund had a limited number of passive peer constituents in the Morningstar universe. The Retirement 2065 Fund incepted on October 13, 2020, and, thus, had a relatively limited performance track record. The Retirement 2060 Fund, which began operations in June 2014, was included in the study but had no 10‑year performance periods as of December 31, 2023.
Our approach to active management
T. Rowe Price’s target date process seeks to improve outcomes for our target date clients at multiple levels—via glide path design, long‑term diversification, tactical asset allocation, and our active management approach. We believe the value added by our target date implementation can meaningfully enhance retirement outcomes for investors.
"We believe the value added by our target date implementation can meaningfully enhance retirement outcomes for investors."
Bottom‑up fundamental research is at the core of how we manage the underlying strategies in our target date funds. That means that over 525 of our investment professionals go out in the field to uncover opportunities. They study them firsthand. And use those insights to help give our clients an investment edge.3
Our target date managers, backed by our committee of asset allocation experts from across multi‑asset, equity, and fixed income, seek to get ahead of change by identifying attractive near‑term asset valuations and using prudent tactical allocation adjustments to take advantage of those potential opportunities.
Experience has been a critical component of our success as well. We’ve managed investments through all kinds of markets, and our professionals average 23 years in the industry and 17 years with T. Rowe Price.4 Significantly, many of our analysts go on to become portfolio managers, which we believe creates a strong foundation on behalf of our clients.
Standardized Performance
Annualized total returns for periods ended March 31, 2024
Fund (Inception Date)
|
Ticker |
Gross Expense Ratio* |
1Year |
3Years |
5Years |
10Years |
Retirement 2010 Fund (NAV) (9/30/2002) |
TRRAX |
0.49% |
12.06% |
2.27% |
5.82% |
5.31% |
S&P Target Date 2010 Index |
|
|
8.98 |
2.09 |
4.85 |
4.60 |
Retirement 2015 Fund (NAV) (2/27/2004) |
TRRGX |
0.50 |
12.66 |
2.56 |
6.27 |
5.80 |
S&P Target Date 2015 Index |
|
|
9.71 |
2.38 |
5.26 |
5.05 |
Retirement 2020 Fund (NAV) (9/30/2002) |
TRRBX |
0.53 |
13.28 |
2.76 |
6.75 |
6.34 |
S&P Target Date 2020 Index |
|
|
10.89 |
2.70 |
5.62 |
5.44 |
Retirement 2025 Fund (NAV) (2/27/2004) |
TRRHX |
0.54 |
14.62 |
3.09 |
7.46 |
6.93 |
S&P Target Date 2025 Index |
|
|
11.60 |
3.15 |
6.42 |
6.04 |
Retirement 2030 Fund (NAV) (9/30/2002) |
TRRCX |
0.57 |
16.81 |
3.62 |
8.27 |
7.56 |
S&P Target Date 2030 Index |
|
|
13.80 |
3.95 |
7.38 |
6.72 |
Retirement 2035 Fund (NAV) (2/27/2004) |
TRRJX |
0.59 |
19.27 |
4.28 |
9.12 |
8.13 |
S&P Target Date 2035 Index |
|
|
16.13 |
4.78 |
8.43 |
7.41 |
Retirement 2040 Fund (NAV) (9/30/2002) |
TRRDX |
0.60 |
21.34 |
4.82 |
9.84 |
8.61 |
S&P Target Date 2040 Index |
|
|
18.11 |
5.52 |
9.25 |
7.94 |
Retirement 2045 Fund (NAV) (5/31/2005) |
TRRKX |
0.62 |
22.64 |
5.27 |
10.36 |
8.92 |
S&P Target Date 2045 Index |
|
|
19.39 |
6.03 |
9.76 |
8.27 |
Retirement 2050 Fund (NAV) (12/29/2006) |
TRRMX |
0.63 |
23.03 |
5.43 |
10.47 |
8.97 |
S&P Target Date 2050 Index |
|
|
20.05 |
6.26 |
10.01 |
8.47 |
Retirement 2055 Fund (NAV) (12/29/2006) |
TRRNX |
0.64 |
23.22 |
5.41 |
10.44 |
8.94 |
S&P Target Date 2055 Index |
|
|
20.09 |
6.30 |
10.08 |
8.54 |
Retirement 2060 Fund (NAV) (6/23/2014)† |
TRRLX |
0.64 |
23.16 |
5.40 |
10.44 |
- |
S&P Target Date 2060 Index |
|
|
20.18 |
6.30 |
10.11 |
- |
† Annualized return since inception: 8.68%.
* Expense ratios are as of the most recent prospectus.
Sources: T. Rowe Price and Standard & Poor's (see Additional Disclosures).
Current performance may be higher or lower than the quoted past performance, which cannot guarantee future results. Share price, principal value, and return will vary, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. To obtain the most recent month-end performance, please visit our website or contact a T. Rowe Price representative at 1-800-225-5132. The average annual total return figures include changes in principal value, reinvested dividends, and capital gain distributions.
Appendix
The relative performances of 11 T. Rowe Price Retirement Funds (RFs) (Figure A1) were examined across 1‑, 3‑, 5‑, and 10‑year rolling periods (rolled monthly) from RF inception through December 31, 2023. Because inception dates—and, thus, fund longevity—differed, the number of rolling performance periods also varied for each RF. The total rolling periods in each time frame for each RF are shown in Figure A2.
Returns for each T. Rowe Price RF were compared with the returns on an equally weighted index of competing passive target date funds. This average was calculated based on the net asset value (NAV) performance of the oldest share class offered by each competing passive fund.
How the passive competitor indexes were constructed
The target date funds included in the competitor indexes were those defined as passive by Morningstar as part of its most recent annual Target‑Date Strategy Landscape report.5 Only funds that were open and available to investors as of December 31, 2023, were included in the passive competitor indexes. To the extent this created survivorship bias in the index returns, it is highly likely that it worked in favor of passive performance.
For each RF, an index was constructed of competing passive funds that shared the same target date. This index incorporated the oldest share classes offered by the competing funds, and the returns were equally weighted at the beginning of each performance period. The competing funds and their weights in the passive competitor indexes are shown in Figure A3.
Returns for the RFs and the passive competitors were based on daily NAVs and thus reflected the subtraction of management fees and other investment costs from both sets of funds.
As of December 31, 2023, the Morningstar passive competitor universe used in this study consisted of 12 fund families offering 112 passive funds. Our competitor indexes included only those funds with the same target dates as the RFs in the study. Relatively few competing funds existed over some performance periods, particularly for older RFs.
Retirement Funds included in this peformance study
(Fig. A1)
Fund | Inception Date |
Retirement 2010 Fund | 9/30/02 |
Retirement 2015 Fund | 2/27/04 |
Retirement 2020 Fund | 9/30/02 |
Retirement 2025 Fund | 2/27/04 |
Retirement 2030 Fund | 9/30/02 |
Retirement 2035 Fund | 2/27/04 |
Retirement 2040 Fund | 9/30/02 |
Retirement 2045 Fund | 5/31/05 |
Retirement 2050 Fund | 12/29/06 |
Retirement 2055 Fund | 12/29/06 |
Retirement 2060 Fund | 6/23/14 |
Sources: T. Rowe Price.
Rolling performance periods in each time frame
(Fig. A2) Fund inceptions through December 31, 2023
Time Frames | ||||
Fund | 1-Year | 3-Year | 5-Year | 10-Year |
Retirement 2010 Fund | 244 | 220 | 196 | 135 |
Retirement 2015 Fund | 227 | 203 | 179 | 119 |
Retirement 2020 Fund | 244 | 220 | 196 | 135 |
Retirement 2025 Fund | 227 | 203 | 179 | 119 |
Retirement 2030 Fund | 244 | 220 | 196 | 135 |
Retirement 2035 Fund | 227 | 203 | 179 | 119 |
Retirement 2040 Fund | 244 | 220 | 196 | 135 |
Retirement 2045 Fund | 212 | 188 | 164 | 104 |
Retirement 2050 Fund | 193 | 169 | 145 | 85 |
Retirement 2055 Fund | 154 | 130 | 106 | 46 |
Retirement 2060 Fund | 103 | 79 | 55 | 0 |
Sources: T. Rowe Price
Fund weights in passive competitor indexes
(Fig. A3) Based on equal weights for the competing funds in each target year index as of December 31, 2023
*Weights may not total to 100% due to rounding.
Sources: Morningstar (see Additional Disclosures) and T. Rowe Price. All data analysis by T. Rowe Price.
Glide path for T. Rowe Price Retirement Funds
(Fig. A4) Change in equity and fixed income exposure over time
Source: T. Rowe Price.
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Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
*Rolling 10‑year results were not included for the Retirement 2060 Fund as the fund had no rolling 10‑year performance results since inception as of December 31, 2023.
1The performance of active target date funds reflects both the glide path mix and the value added or subtracted through security selection and/or tactical allocation. For more information on the T. Rowe Price funds used in this study, please visit troweprice.com.
2More details on the study methodology can be found in the appendix. For a list of the funds included in the study and their inception dates, please see Figure A1 in the appendix. The number of rolling performance periods in each time frame for each fund are shown in Figure A2 in the appendix.
3Investment staff as of December 31, 2023. Includes 138 portfolio managers, 26 associate portfolio managers, 196 investment analysts, 60 associate analysts, 42 specialty analysts, 35 traders, 13 strategists, and 21 senior managers.
4As of December 31, 2023.
5Morningstar, Inc. (see Additional Disclosures); 2023 Target-Date Strategy Landscape, March 2023.
Additional Disclosures
©2024 Morningstar. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The S&P Target Date indexes are products of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, or its affiliates (“SPDJI”), and have been licensed for use by T. Rowe Price. Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global (“S&P”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). T. Rowe Price’s product is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P or their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P Target Date indexes.
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Important Information
Call 1‑800‑225‑5132 to request a prospectus or summary prospectus; each includes investment objectives, risks, fees, expenses, and other information you should read and consider carefully before investing.
The principal value of the Retirement Funds is not guaranteed at any time, including at or after the target date, which is the approximate year an investor plans to retire (assumed to be age 65) and likely stop making new investments in the fund. If an investor plans to retire significantly earlier or later than age 65, the funds may not be an appropriate investment even if the investor is retiring on or near the target date. The funds’ allocations among a broad range of underlying T. Rowe Price stock and bond funds will change over time. The funds emphasize potential capital appreciation during the early phases of retirement asset accumulation, balance the need for appreciation with the need for income as retirement approaches, and focus on supporting an income stream over a long‑term postretirement withdrawal horizon. The funds are not designed for a lump‑sum redemption at the target date and do not guarantee a particular level of income. The funds maintain a substantial allocation to equities both prior to and after the target date, which can result in greater volatility over shorter time horizons.
This material is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investment advice or a recommendation to take any particular investment action.
The views contained herein are those of the authors as of February 2024 and are subject to change without notice; these views may differ from those of other T. Rowe Price associates.
This information is not intended to reflect a current or past recommendation concerning investments, investment strategies, or account types, advice of any kind, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or investment services. The opinions and commentary provided do not take into account the investment objectives or financial situation of any particular investor or class of investor. Please consider your own circumstances before making an investment decision.
Information contained herein is based upon sources we consider to be reliable; we do not, however, guarantee its accuracy.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. All investments are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. All charts and tables are shown for illustrative purposes only.
T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., distributor, T. Rowe Price mutual funds.
© 2024 T. Rowe Price. All rights reserved. T. Rowe Price, INVEST WITH CONFIDENCE, and the Bighorn Sheep design are, collectively and/or apart, trademarks of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
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