Asset Allocation by Age Calculator
See a stocks-versus-bonds split for your age using the rule-of-thumb formula, with the dollar amount on each side.
Want to understand the concept, not just the number? Read Stocks vs Bonds by Age .
How it's calculated
How much of your portfolio belongs in stocks versus bonds is one of the biggest decisions you make as an investor, and it shifts as you age. Younger investors can hold more stocks, since they have decades to ride out downturns. As retirement nears, moving toward bonds cushions the portfolio against a crash right when you start to draw on it. A simple rule of thumb captures this. Your stock share is a base number minus your age, and the rest goes to bonds.
Take the default. At age 35 with a base of 110, the rule puts 110 minus 35, or 75 percent, in stocks and the remaining 25 percent in bonds. On a $200,000 portfolio that is $150,000 in stocks and $50,000 in bonds. At 50 the same rule would suggest 60 percent stocks, and at 70 it would suggest 40 percent, gradually dialing down risk as the years to retirement shrink.
The base you choose sets how aggressive the rule is. The old standard was 100 minus age, but with longer lifespans many now use 110 or even 120, which keeps more in stocks for longer. There is nothing magic about any of these numbers. They are a sensible starting point, not a personalized plan. Your own split should weigh how long until you need the money, how steady your income is, and how well you sleep during a market drop. Adjust the base here to see conservative and aggressive versions of the same idea.
Assumptions
- The stock share is the rule base minus your age, capped between 0 and 100 percent. The bond share is the rest. The default base is 110.
- This is a broad rule of thumb, not personalized advice. Your real allocation should reflect your goals, timeline, and comfort with risk.
Last updated: 2026-08-08
These assumptions follow our general methodology.
Frequently asked questions
What is the rule for asset allocation by age?
A common rule of thumb sets your stock percentage to a base number minus your age, with the rest in bonds. The classic base was 100, but 110 or 120 are now popular to reflect longer lifespans. At 40 with a base of 110, that is 70 percent stocks and 30 percent bonds.
Should I use 100, 110, or 120 minus my age?
A higher base keeps more in stocks, which suits a longer time horizon, a steady income, and a higher tolerance for risk. A lower base is more conservative. Many investors with decades to go use 110 or 120, while those close to needing the money lean lower.
Why shift toward bonds as I get older?
Because you have less time to recover from a downturn. A crash in your twenties is a buying opportunity, but the same crash the year you retire can force you to sell low. Adding bonds as you age smooths the ride and protects the money you are about to start spending.
Is this rule right for everyone?
No. It is a simple starting point, not a plan built around your situation. Someone with a pension can afford more stocks, while someone who panics in a downturn may want fewer. Use the rule to get in the right neighborhood, then adjust for your goals and temperament.