What are age-based or target-enrollment 529 portfolios?

Age-based (also called target-enrollment) portfolios automatically shift your 529's investment mix as your child gets closer to college. When the child is young, the portfolio holds mostly stocks for growth; as enrollment approaches, it gradually moves toward bonds and cash to protect what you've saved from a market drop right before tuition is due. It works like a target-date retirement fund — you pick the one matching your child's expected enrollment year and the plan handles the rebalancing for you. This "set it and forget it" approach is the default for most families and a sensible choice if you don't want to manage the allocation yourself. If you prefer more growth or control, most plans also offer static portfolios you adjust manually.