Popping the Hood is a series of comprehensive reports on target date funds at the fund family level. Long ago we recognized that investors, plan sponsors and advisors needed comprehensive analysis on target date funds, across the glidepath—all funds in the series—and utilizing multiple factors to arrive at a total fund family score. Turnstone Advisory Group and later, Target Date Analytics, completed Popping the Hood I, II and III.

Popping the Hood IV, V and VI were realeased by TDA and Brightscope. Popping the Hood VI features 2012 data on strategy, fees, risk, performance, and company data—providing valuable analysis of a company's target date funds compared to its peers and compared to the OTI. This comprehensive report includes 48 fund series, 40 distinct target date companies, and 400 distinct Target Date Funds. Each fund family is evaluated in five major categories, resulting in an overall score and ranking. The five major categories are Company/Organization, Strategy, Performance, Risk and Fees.

This study is critical for any advisor or plan sponsor looking to improve their selection and monitoring process for TDFs, as well as asset managers who are looking to improve and distribute their funds.

Popping the Hood VI is available by emailing or calling . The stand-alone cost for the report is $1,200, or $20,000 with a distribution license.