To versus through glide paths: what’s the difference?
Learn the difference between to and through glide paths in target-date funds and how they can address key retirement risks such as longevity and shortfall.
Manulife target-date funds
Manulife’s suites of target-date funds align with a fundamental belief that diversification across asset classes, investment styles, and strategies provides the greatest opportunity for achieving long-term financial success. We proudly offer two suites: the Manulife Retirement Date Index+ Funds and the Manulife Retirement Date Funds. These suites are designed to meet your retirement planning needs with a diversified approach to investment.
Maximize retirement opportunities with target-date funds
The glide path design of a target-date fund can offer a strategic advantage in retirement planning. Learn how it can help mitigate retirement risks and generate long-term wealth for members.
What sets us apart
Our long-standing track record of managing target-date funds for sponsors and members since 2005, coupled with an approach that uses both active and passive managers, offers multiple price points, exposure to private assets, and is ESG inclusive.
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Glide path extending through retirement
A glide path that extends through retirement offers greater potential for wealth accumulation and helps to protect against running out of capital in retirement.
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Active management of asset allocation
Asset allocation is actively managed across all asset classes to mitigate risk and make the most of market opportunities.
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Multiple price points through two flagship investment suites
One suite offers an actively managed-only approach and the other combines actively managed and index funds to significantly lower overall fund costs.
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Using both active and passive managers
Balanced use of active and passive underlying managers with predominantly active managers in our Retirement Date Funds suite and a blend of active and passive in our Retirement Date Index+ Funds suite.
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Exposure to private assets
Canadian real estate, mortgages and real assets offer diversification benefits and the potential for an enhanced risk/return profile.
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Inclusive approach to ESG
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) integration is achieved through active management and constructive engagement.
Managing longevity risk through retirement
Our approach uses a glide path that extends through retirement to help members tackle one of retirement's greatest challenges—longevity risk, or outliving retirement income. This is how we help members achieve long-term financial security.
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Derisking
Gradually reduces exposure to equity and growth asset classes to reach 50% exposure at retirement.
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Protecting capital
Continues to derisk through retirement while maintaining moderate allocation to growth asset classes to help savings last.
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Reducing exposure
Exposure to growth asset classes is reduced until it reaches 25% at 20 years into retirement.
Explore our fund suites
| Manulife Retirement Date Index+ Funds | Manulife Retirement Date Funds |
|---|---|---|
Inception | 2014 | 2005 |
Asset classes | 17 | 17 |
Underlying funds | 17 | 26 |
Underlying fund focus | Index-oriented approach for equities Active underlying funds for fixed income and private assets | Predominantly active underlying funds |
Equity weight | 95% at inception | 50% at retirement | 25% at end point in retirement | 95% at inception | 50% at retirement | 25% at end point in retirement |
Active tilts intrayear | Yes | Yes |
Through retirement glide path | Yes | Yes |
Fund fact sheets
Manulife Retirement Date Index+ Funds
Manulife Retirement Date Funds
Our investment team
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James Robertson, CIM
Senior Portfolio Manager, Head of Asset Allocation–Canada, and Global Head of Tactical Asset Allocation, Multi-Asset Solutions, Manulife Investment Management
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Alexandre M. Richard, CFA
Portfolio Manager, Multi-Asset Solutions, Manulife Investment Management
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Jenny Kim, CFA
Portfolio Manager, Senior Investment Analyst, Systematic Equity, Multi-Asset Solutions, Manulife Investment Management
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Misbah Lalani, CFA
Senior Investment Analyst, Multi-Asset Solutions, Manulife Investment Management
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Alex Grassino
Global Chief Economist and Strategist, Multi-Asset Solutions, Manulife Investment Management
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Benjamin W. Forssell, CFA
Managing Director, Global Multi-Asset Client Portfolio Manager, Multi-Asset Solutions, Manulife Investment Management
See bio
Resources for you
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Enhance retirement readiness with through glide paths
The glide path design of an investment can offer a strategic advantage in retirement planning. Learn how they can help mitigate risk and generate more long-term wealth for members.
Download our analysis -
Weathering market volatility with target-date funds
Target-date funds can help plan members navigate market downturns leading up to retirement—read our analysis to find out more.
Download our analysis -
Building retirement plans that outlive people
Explore Manulife’s thought leadership analysis on how longer lifespans can affect retirement planning and increase retirement risks. We’ll share key strategies and insight that may help you improve retirement readiness and minimize the risk of outliving retirement savings.
Read our key findings
Stay connected with investment team insight
Discover recent insights from our Multi-Asset Solutions Team at Manulife Investment Management, creators of thoughtful portfolios built to address retirement needs.
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