Skip to main content
  • Subscribe
  • |
  • Sign in
  • |
  • Register
Institutional Investor Institutional Investor Institutional Investor
  • Industry Insights
      • Global - Macro
      • Investment Implementation
      • Investment Strategy
      • Organizational Transformation
      • People
      • Premium
      • Private Markets
      • Public Markets
      • Regulation - Taxation - Legal
      • Research
      • Wealth and Retirement

      55+ Years of Analysis & Insight

      For more than 55 years, Institutional Investor has delivered the news and analysis that investment professionals need to succeed and stay relevant. Our coverage of the global asset management industry helps you to stay ahead of the curve on the trends and stories that impact your world.

      ‘Revenge Tax’ to be Removed from Bill After Bessent Strikes G7 Deal

      ‘Revenge Tax’ to be Removed from Bill After Bessent Strikes G7 Deal
      Global Real Estate Rebound: Signs of Sustainable Recovery and Opportunity

      Global Real Estate Rebound: Signs of Sustainable Recovery and Opportunity
      Middle Market PE Firms Optimistic for 2026 Deal Revival

      Middle Market PE Firms Optimistic for 2026 Deal Revival
      Schroders: Half of U.S. Investors Expect Greater Vol than 2008

      Schroders: Half of U.S. Investors Expect Greater Vol than 2008
      Gary Gensler: Institutions Should Be Sweating Over the New U.S. Economic Trajectory

      Gary Gensler: Institutions Should Be Sweating Over the New U.S. Economic Trajectory
      ‘Unintended Consequences’ of Section 899 Could Spark Foreign Investment Retreat

      ‘Unintended Consequences’ of Section 899 Could Spark Foreign Investment Retreat
      Trend-Followers Stumble Into One of Their Worst Years

      Trend-Followers Stumble Into One of Their Worst Years
      Profit Pressure: Why COOs and CFOs are Bracing for a Tough 2025

      Profit Pressure: Why COOs and CFOs are Bracing for a Tough 2025
      The Rise of Oil Options: Why More Traders Are Getting Involved

      The Rise of Oil Options: Why More Traders Are Getting Involved
      Private Markets, Public Access

      Private Markets, Public Access
      Will 2025 Be the Year of Diversification in Equities?

      Will 2025 Be the Year of Diversification in Equities?
      Artificial Intelligence, Meet Private Equity. They’re Here to Help.

      Artificial Intelligence, Meet Private Equity. They’re Here to Help.
      Model Portfolios to Deliver Alternative Asset Exposure

      Model Portfolios to Deliver Alternative Asset Exposure
      Solana vs. Bitcoin vs. Ethereum: How Do They Compare?

      Solana vs. Bitcoin vs. Ethereum: How Do They Compare?
      Open Architecture and Next-Gen Technology Help Support Model Delivery

      Open Architecture and Next-Gen Technology Help Support Model Delivery
      Maximizing Impact: The Role of TAMP Selection in Effective Investment Distribution

      Maximizing Impact: The Role of TAMP Selection in Effective Investment Distribution
      Tiger-Related Hedge Funds Gain Ground — Some Faster Than Others

      Tiger-Related Hedge Funds Gain Ground — Some Faster Than Others
      Kristin Agatone, Chief Investment Officer, Lehigh University

      Kristin Agatone, Chief Investment Officer, Lehigh University
      Private Equity’s Fundraising Demands Far Outstrip Supply

      Private Equity’s Fundraising Demands Far Outstrip Supply
      Infrastructure Debt Positioned Well for the Year Ahead

      Infrastructure Debt Positioned Well for the Year Ahead
      Cornell’s CIO on Endowments Selling PE Stakes: ‘I Don’t Know What’s Going on There’

      Cornell’s CIO on Endowments Selling PE Stakes: ‘I Don’t Know What’s Going on There’
      Managers Bet Big on Asset-Based Lenders

      Managers Bet Big on Asset-Based Lenders
      Jericho Capital Extends Its Run After Historic Gains Last Year

      Jericho Capital Extends Its Run After Historic Gains Last Year
      Will Hedge Funds’ Pivot to Private Markets Help or Hurt Them?

      Will Hedge Funds’ Pivot to Private Markets Help or Hurt Them?
      Brian O’Neil (Briefly) Pauses His Retirement to Oversee Wallace’s $1.7B Portfolio

      Brian O’Neil (Briefly) Pauses His Retirement to Oversee Wallace’s $1.7B Portfolio
      Opinion: Can the ‘Alpha in the Elevators’ Give Active Managers the Edge They Need?

      Opinion: Can the ‘Alpha in the Elevators’ Give Active Managers the Edge They Need?
      Seattle Children’s CIO Puts Conviction Over Diversification

      Seattle Children’s CIO Puts Conviction Over Diversification
      Cleveland Clinic Alum Joins Sanford Health as First CIO

      Cleveland Clinic Alum Joins Sanford Health as First CIO
      Hinge Health’s Planned IPO Attracts a Trio of High-Profile Investors

      Hinge Health’s Planned IPO Attracts a Trio of High-Profile Investors
      The Rise of Oil Options: Why More Traders Are Getting Involved

      The Rise of Oil Options: Why More Traders Are Getting Involved
      MacArthur Taps Nature Conservancy Vet to Replace Outgoing CIO

      MacArthur Taps Nature Conservancy Vet to Replace Outgoing CIO
      Artificial Intelligence, Meet Private Equity. They’re Here to Help.

      Artificial Intelligence, Meet Private Equity. They’re Here to Help.
      Maryland Retirement Appoints New (And Familiar) Acting CIO

      Maryland Retirement Appoints New (And Familiar) Acting CIO
      After Turbulence and Turnover, Ohio Teachers Lands Executive Director

      After Turbulence and Turnover, Ohio Teachers Lands Executive Director
      Brian O’Neil (Briefly) Pauses His Retirement to Oversee Wallace’s $1.7B Portfolio

      Brian O’Neil (Briefly) Pauses His Retirement to Oversee Wallace’s $1.7B Portfolio
      Seattle Children’s CIO Puts Conviction Over Diversification

      Seattle Children’s CIO Puts Conviction Over Diversification
      Investors Reach for What They Recognize

      Investors Reach for What They Recognize
      Cleveland Clinic Alum Joins Sanford Health as First CIO

      Cleveland Clinic Alum Joins Sanford Health as First CIO
      Prudential’s Tim Schmidt Wins the 2025 Allocator Lifetime Achievement Award

      Prudential’s Tim Schmidt Wins the 2025 Allocator Lifetime Achievement Award
      The Rest of the Best: The 2025 Hedge Fund Rising Stars, Part II

      The Rest of the Best: The 2025 Hedge Fund Rising Stars, Part II
      Infrastructure Debt Positioned Well for the Year Ahead

      Infrastructure Debt Positioned Well for the Year Ahead
      Managers Bet Big on Asset-Based Lenders

      Managers Bet Big on Asset-Based Lenders
      Private Markets Investment Outlook Q2 2025: Opportunities Amid Uncertainty

      Private Markets Investment Outlook Q2 2025: Opportunities Amid Uncertainty
      VC Is Down — But Private Placements for Post-IPO Companies Are Up

      VC Is Down — But Private Placements for Post-IPO Companies Are Up
      The Troubles Plaguing Private Capital Create a Windfall for Secondaries

      The Troubles Plaguing Private Capital Create a Windfall for Secondaries
      REITs Are in a Rut

      REITs Are in a Rut
      Why Private Equity Wins: Reflecting on a Quarter-Century of Outperformance

      Why Private Equity Wins: Reflecting on a Quarter-Century of Outperformance
      Rising Federal Debt and Fewer Institutional Buyers Means an Increased Need for Private Credit

      Rising Federal Debt and Fewer Institutional Buyers Means an Increased Need for Private Credit
      ‘Revenge Tax’ to be Removed from Bill After Bessent Strikes G7 Deal

      ‘Revenge Tax’ to be Removed from Bill After Bessent Strikes G7 Deal
      Future Return Expectations Are Not a Straight Line, Especially in U.S. Equities

      Future Return Expectations Are Not a Straight Line, Especially in U.S. Equities
      ‘More Compelling Entry Point’ Coming, Says Discovery

      ‘More Compelling Entry Point’ Coming, Says Discovery
      Will Hedge Funds’ Pivot to Private Markets Help or Hurt Them?

      Will Hedge Funds’ Pivot to Private Markets Help or Hurt Them?
      Third Point Boosts Market Bets in May

      Third Point Boosts Market Bets in May
      Seattle Children’s CIO Puts Conviction Over Diversification

      Seattle Children’s CIO Puts Conviction Over Diversification
      New Vontobel SFA Chief Courts Investors Diversifying Away From the U.S.

      New Vontobel SFA Chief Courts Investors Diversifying Away From the U.S.
      David Einhorn’s Hedge Fund Swooned as the Market Soared Last Month

      David Einhorn’s Hedge Fund Swooned as the Market Soared Last Month
      ‘Revenge Tax’ to be Removed from Bill After Bessent Strikes G7 Deal

      ‘Revenge Tax’ to be Removed from Bill After Bessent Strikes G7 Deal
      Gary Gensler: Institutions Should Be Sweating Over the New U.S. Economic Trajectory

      Gary Gensler: Institutions Should Be Sweating Over the New U.S. Economic Trajectory
      NC State Treasurer Wins His Fight for Reforms to Resuscitate State Pension

      NC State Treasurer Wins His Fight for Reforms to Resuscitate State Pension
      Higher Taxes Could Reshape How Endowments and Foundations Think about Almost Everything

      Higher Taxes Could Reshape How Endowments and Foundations Think about Almost Everything
      ‘Unintended Consequences’ of Section 899 Could Spark Foreign Investment Retreat

      ‘Unintended Consequences’ of Section 899 Could Spark Foreign Investment Retreat
      Trend-Followers Stumble Into One of Their Worst Years

      Trend-Followers Stumble Into One of Their Worst Years
      “Deficit Hawks? Try Chicken Hawks,” Says JPMorgan’s Michael Cembalest

      “Deficit Hawks? Try Chicken Hawks,” Says JPMorgan’s Michael Cembalest
      Hurricane Season: Insurance-linked Securities and Navigating Non-financial Risks

      Hurricane Season: Insurance-linked Securities and Navigating Non-financial Risks
      Schroders: Half of U.S. Investors Expect Greater Vol than 2008

      Schroders: Half of U.S. Investors Expect Greater Vol than 2008
      Private Equity’s Fundraising Demands Far Outstrip Supply

      Private Equity’s Fundraising Demands Far Outstrip Supply
      AI Meets Biotech — and Hedge Funds Are Buying In

      AI Meets Biotech — and Hedge Funds Are Buying In
      Chris Hohn’s TCI Is Once Again a Top Performer

      Chris Hohn’s TCI Is Once Again a Top Performer
      Future Return Expectations Are Not a Straight Line, Especially in U.S. Equities

      Future Return Expectations Are Not a Straight Line, Especially in U.S. Equities
      Opinion: Can the ‘Alpha in the Elevators’ Give Active Managers the Edge They Need?

      Opinion: Can the ‘Alpha in the Elevators’ Give Active Managers the Edge They Need?
      Will Hedge Funds’ Pivot to Private Markets Help or Hurt Them?

      Will Hedge Funds’ Pivot to Private Markets Help or Hurt Them?
      Profit Pressure: Why COOs and CFOs are Bracing for a Tough 2025

      Profit Pressure: Why COOs and CFOs are Bracing for a Tough 2025
      Sagard Hires Acquisitions Head in Push for Southwest RE

      Sagard Hires Acquisitions Head in Push for Southwest RE
      Tiger-Related Hedge Funds Gain Ground — Some Faster Than Others

      Tiger-Related Hedge Funds Gain Ground — Some Faster Than Others
      Middle Market PE Firms Optimistic for 2026 Deal Revival

      Middle Market PE Firms Optimistic for 2026 Deal Revival
      Kasia Karapuda, Director of Investments, Oberlin College Investment Office

      Kasia Karapuda, Director of Investments, Oberlin College Investment Office
      Kristin Agatone, Chief Investment Officer, Lehigh University

      Kristin Agatone, Chief Investment Officer, Lehigh University
      Michael W. Frerichs, Illinois State Treasurer, Illinois State Treasury

      Michael W. Frerichs, Illinois State Treasurer, Illinois State Treasury
      Maryland Retirement Appoints New (And Familiar) Acting CIO

      Maryland Retirement Appoints New (And Familiar) Acting CIO
      Private Equity’s Fundraising Demands Far Outstrip Supply

      Private Equity’s Fundraising Demands Far Outstrip Supply
  • Market Intelligence
      • Data & Analysis
      • Guest Contributors
      • II Networks
      • Insights
      • Research
      • Sponsored
      • Strategic Partners

      Custom Research | Comprehensive Data | Transforming Intelligence

      At Institutional Investor, we provide comprehensive data and independent research to support the investment community. Our Thought Leadership Studio creates impactful content that shapes industry conversations, while our Custom Research Lab produces primary research reports for clients' market outreach and business development. Together, these efforts help investment professionals stay informed and competitive.

      U.S. Dollar at a Crossroads: Bearish Signals Persist, but Rebound Risks Rise

      U.S. Dollar at a Crossroads: Bearish Signals Persist, but Rebound Risks Rise
      Profit Pressure: Why COOs and CFOs are Bracing for a Tough 2025

      Profit Pressure: Why COOs and CFOs are Bracing for a Tough 2025
      Investors Reach for What They Recognize

      Investors Reach for What They Recognize
      CFOs and COOs Show Less Favor in Emerging Markets

      CFOs and COOs Show Less Favor in Emerging Markets
      Out with the Old, in with the New

      Out with the Old, in with the New
      Expert Perspectives: C-Suite Insights from II’s Exclusive Forums

      Expert Perspectives: C-Suite Insights from II’s Exclusive Forums
      Allocators and Asset Managers Tell Us What Concerns Them Most

      Allocators and Asset Managers Tell Us What Concerns Them Most
      Rising Federal Debt and Fewer Institutional Buyers Means an Increased Need for Private Credit

      Rising Federal Debt and Fewer Institutional Buyers Means an Increased Need for Private Credit
      Investors Reach for What They Recognize

      Investors Reach for What They Recognize
      Kasia Karapuda, Director of Investments, Oberlin College Investment Office

      Kasia Karapuda, Director of Investments, Oberlin College Investment Office
      Kristin Agatone, Chief Investment Officer, Lehigh University

      Kristin Agatone, Chief Investment Officer, Lehigh University
      Michael W. Frerichs, Illinois State Treasurer, Illinois State Treasury

      Michael W. Frerichs, Illinois State Treasurer, Illinois State Treasury
      U.S. Dollar at a Crossroads: Bearish Signals Persist, but Rebound Risks Rise

      U.S. Dollar at a Crossroads: Bearish Signals Persist, but Rebound Risks Rise
      Strategic Gaps and Leadership Blind Spots

      Strategic Gaps and Leadership Blind Spots
      Shifting Product Priorities: What Firms Have Added in the Last Five Years

      Shifting Product Priorities: What Firms Have Added in the Last Five Years
      CIOs Tell Us What Concerns Them Most in 2025

      CIOs Tell Us What Concerns Them Most in 2025
      Expert Perspectives: C-Suite Insights from II’s Exclusive Forums

      Expert Perspectives: C-Suite Insights from II’s Exclusive Forums
      Bear Market Warning Signals Begin to Emerge

      Bear Market Warning Signals Begin to Emerge
      Rising Federal Debt and Fewer Institutional Buyers Means an Increased Need for Private Credit

      Rising Federal Debt and Fewer Institutional Buyers Means an Increased Need for Private Credit
      Trump 2.0 and the Markets

      Trump 2.0 and the Markets
      Valuations Have Dropped, but Not Enough to be “Cheap”

      Valuations Have Dropped, but Not Enough to be “Cheap”
      Global Real Estate Rebound: Signs of Sustainable Recovery and Opportunity

      Global Real Estate Rebound: Signs of Sustainable Recovery and Opportunity
      Fireside Chat- The New Credit Playbook: Convergence, Liquidity, and Innovation in Institutional Portfolios

      Fireside Chat- The New Credit Playbook: Convergence, Liquidity, and Innovation in Institutional Portfolios
      Higher Taxes Could Reshape How Endowments and Foundations Think about Almost Everything

      Higher Taxes Could Reshape How Endowments and Foundations Think about Almost Everything
      Infrastructure Debt Positioned Well for the Year Ahead

      Infrastructure Debt Positioned Well for the Year Ahead
      Future Return Expectations Are Not a Straight Line, Especially in U.S. Equities

      Future Return Expectations Are Not a Straight Line, Especially in U.S. Equities
      C-PACE: The Rapidly Growing Corner of Real Estate Finance Catching Institutional Attention

      C-PACE: The Rapidly Growing Corner of Real Estate Finance Catching Institutional Attention
      Hurricane Season: Insurance-linked Securities and Navigating Non-financial Risks

      Hurricane Season: Insurance-linked Securities and Navigating Non-financial Risks
      Why Bitcoin's Relationship with Equities Has Changed

      Why Bitcoin's Relationship with Equities Has Changed
      U.S. Dollar at a Crossroads: Bearish Signals Persist, but Rebound Risks Rise

      U.S. Dollar at a Crossroads: Bearish Signals Persist, but Rebound Risks Rise
      U.S. Imports Surge Amid Tariff Uncertainty

      U.S. Imports Surge Amid Tariff Uncertainty
      Rising Federal Debt and Fewer Institutional Buyers Means an Increased Need for Private Credit

      Rising Federal Debt and Fewer Institutional Buyers Means an Increased Need for Private Credit
      Trump 2.0 and the Markets

      Trump 2.0 and the Markets
  • Events
      • All Events
      • Americas
      • Asia
      • Europe
      • Middle East

      600 Asset Managers | 90+ Annual Events

      We drive growth by creating communities across the investment ecosystem and foster conversations where members share their collective intelligence, innovative observations, and experience as industry leaders in an off-recording setting.

      JUL 15

      Retirement Leaders Roundtable 2025

      MassMutual Fan Pier Campus | Boston

      JUL 16

      AMI CEO Regional 2025 - BNP Paribas Asset Management USA

      BNP Paribas Asset Management USA | New York

      JUL 23

      2025 Chief Marketer Institute Content Summit
      SEP 9-12

      2025 International TraderForum

      Torre Melina, a Gran Meliá Hotel | Barcelona

      SEP 9-10

      2025 European Fixed Income Trading Summit

      Torre Melina, a Gran Meliá Hotel | Barcelona

      SEP 9-10

      RIA West Investment Forum 2025

      Balboa Bay Resort | Newport Beach

      SEP 9

      2025 MENA International TraderForum

      Torre Melina, a Gran Meliá Hotel | Barcelona

      SEP 10

      第20回年次日本投資フォーラム 20th Annual Japan Investment Forum

      The Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo | Tokyo

      SEP 15-16

      KTMC Client Day Luxembourg
      SEP 17

      2025 한국 글로벌 투자 포럼 2025 Korea Global Investment Forum

      Four Seasons Hotel Seoul | Seoul

      OCT 8

      2025 MEII Abu Dhabi Institutional Investor Summit
      OCT 14

      2025 Asia Private Market Leaders Forum

      Conrad Hong Kong

      NOV 6

      2025 北京环球投资论坛 2025 Beijing Global Investment Forum

      The Ritz Carlton Beijing, Financial Street | Beijing

      FEB 2-4

      Endowments & Foundations Roundtable West 2026

      Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | Scottsdale

  • About Us
Fran Hawthorne
Are Customized Target-Date Funds Really That Good?
It’s hard to find unanimous agreement about anything these days — just look at Congress — but the retirement world seems to come close on the topic of customized target-date funds.
Fran Hawthorne March 30, 2011
330x160-portfolio2.jpg

Contact Info

New York
1270 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 1100
New York, NY 10020
P: +1 212 224 3300

London
4 Bouverie Street
London EC4Y 8AX
P: +44 207 779 8888

Hong Kong
12/F, The Spaces
8 Queen's Road East
Wanchai, Hong Kong
P: +852 2912 8001

Corporate

About Us

Leadership Team

Careers

II Press Room

Digital

Masthead

Thought Leadership

Display Advertising

Reprints

FAQs

Events

Events Calendar

Memberships

Market Intelligence

Data & Analysis

Guest Contributors

II Networks

Insights

Research

Sponsored

Strategic Partners

Subscription

Subscribe to Premium

Register

Register for Free Account

Newsletters

Sign up for II newsletters

© 2025 Institutional Investor LLC. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. Please read our Terms & Conditions, Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement, Accessibility Statement and Privacy Policy before using the site.

LinkedIn
X
Bluesky

release/4.05.00 build:2025-06-30   Login