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Risk-Based Mix

Growth, inflation and asset mix

Asset Allocation Calculator by Risk Tolerance

Find a sample mix of U.S. stocks, international stocks, bonds and cash for your risk tolerance, and see a range of possible outcomes over your time horizon.

Suggested Mix and Possible Outcomes

Not a Forecast
Middle Outcome (50th Percentile) $616.0K Assumed return: 6.8% a year | Volatility: 11.4%
Good Market (90th Percentile) $1.04M Only 1 in 10 outcomes is higher
Poor Market (10th Percentile) $363.2K Only 1 in 10 outcomes is lower

How This Calculator Works

This calculator turns your risk tolerance and time horizon into a sample split of your portfolio between U.S. stocks, international stocks, bonds and cash. It shows the dollar amount for each slice, which is handy when you rebalance.

It also shows three possible values for your portfolio at the end of your horizon: a poor market (10th percentile), a middle outcome (median) and a good market (90th percentile). They come from a log-normal model of yearly returns and give a wide range of possible outcomes, not a forecast. Real markets can land above or below either end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does asset allocation matter more than picking stocks?

For most investors, yes. A well-known study by Brinson, Hood and Beebower found that over 90% of the ups and downs in a portfolio’s returns came from its mix of stocks, bonds and cash, not from which individual securities it held.

How often should I rebalance my portfolio?

A common rule is to rebalance once a year, or sooner if an asset class drifts more than 5 percentage points from its target. Advisors differ on the details, so treat both as rules of thumb.

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