Welcome to Bootcamp 8: Two Funds for Life


Looking for an easy, powerful way to invest for retirement? Paul Merriman’s “2 Funds for Life” strategy has been updated for 2024 — offering a fresh, data-driven approach to building long-term wealth with minimal effort. Whether you’re a new investor or rethinking your retirement strategy, this update is designed to help you make smarter choices with less complexity.

What Is the 2 Funds for Life Strategy?


The “2 Funds for Life” approach combines a target date retirement fund with a small-cap value fund. This blend gives investors a simple, diversified, and evidence-based portfolio that historically improves long-term performance while managing risk. It’s an ideal solution for 401(k) investors, young professionals, and anyone looking to minimize investment decisions without sacrificing returns.


What’s New in the 2024 Update?

In this year’s update, Paul Merriman and his team at the Merriman Financial Education Foundation present:

Updated performance data and analysis through 2023

Improved allocation suggestions based on age, retirement goals, and risk tolerance

Enhanced guidance for investors at different stages of life

Insights on why small-cap value still matters in today’s markets



Why It Works

This strategy is backed by decades of research in asset allocation, behavioral finance, and long-term market performance. By combining the broad diversification of target date funds with the high-return potential of small-cap value, you get a low-maintenance plan that’s built to weather market ups and downs — while potentially outperforming traditional portfolios.