It’s not surprising that individuals who work with a financial advisor feel more confident about the security of their financial future. In fact, according to Northwestern Mutual, most Americans with an advisor believe they’ll work beyond retirement age only if they choose to. This optimism is far less evident among those who don’t work with an advisor, with 6 out of 10 indicating they expect to work past retirement age out of necessity.

Vanguard’s “How America Saves 2018” study reveals that roughly 50 percent of defined contribution plan participants use a target-date fund (TDF) as their sole investment. By 2022, this figure is expected to grow to 70 percent. But should retirement savers be relying solely on these set-it-and-forget-it vehicles? Does that change depending on when they first started saving? And how effective are these funds at managing retirement savings risks, particular as investors approach this next life stage? As a financial advisor guiding investors to a comfortable retirement, it’s important that you can answer these questions. So, let’s take an in-depth look at TDFs.