Your clients don’t think in style boxes. They think in time horizons.
We align portfolios to real-world liabilities using a planning-first, Defined Duration™ method—so conversations move from products to client outcomes.
The Future of Financial Planning is Here
The traditional process starts with subjective risk labels and ends with generic, style-box allocations that might align with your financial needs. Defined Duration inverts that: start with a real financial plan, systematically quantify risk profile and balance sheet strength, and align assets to time-bound liabilities and goals. The old way optimizes style boxes, the new way optimizes your financial life.
Product-first, style-box allocations
Unclear goals, subjective profiling, generic output.
Plan first, asset-liability match
Clear plan, quantified risk, time-aligned portfolio.
Defined Duration™, at a glance
- Planning-based: Start with the financial plan; match assets to liabilities and time horizons.
- Quantitative: Quantify risk tolerance and allocation based on balance sheet analysis, not subjective emotions.
- Customizable: Tailor your custom portfolios to each client’s spending path and risk capacity.
- Low-fee & tax-efficient: Pragmatic, implementation-friendly design.
- Clear communication: Clear expectations anchored to goals, not style labels.
1 · Plan
Quantify near- and long-term liabilities. Assess risk tolerance based on financial strength, not subjective behavior.
2 · Match
Match assets to horizons. Give the client a clear understanding of why they own certain instruments and the time horizons and goals they serve.
3 · Review
Revisit goals with clear, ongoing updates. Benchmark to actual financial goals, not short-term market performance.
Access includes
HourglassFP Pro
Custom ALM planning software to quantify risk, buckets, align duration, and support advisor-client conversations.
Request a WalkthroughDefined Duration™ Method
A goals-based framework that organizes portfolios by time horizon and cash-flow needs.
How it WorksPlug-and-Play Products
Implementation options designed to simplify adoption across client segments and mandates.
Discuss OptionsTeam & Research Access
Direct access to Discipline Funds experts to learn how to apply and maintain an asset-liability matching strategy for your practice.
Connect with UsClient results, in their words
“It's wonderful to see the different time horizons performing the way we expected and giving us certainty over our financial plan. This market has totally validated the Defined Duration strategy for us.”
“We're grateful to be using Discipline Funds. The recent market downturn was disconcerting, but the Defined Duration approach made sure it wasn't distressing.”
“I was confused navigating early retirement, but the Defined Duration strategy gave me clarity and confidence so I could enjoy retirement and stop worrying about when I'd have money to enjoy the things I want.”
Frequently asked questions
What does the service cost for advisors?
It's free! We believe advisors can benefit from implementing our methodology and we offer the products to help you do that. If you use our products it's a win-win. The advisor gets a streamlined and superior process and our products get implemented.
How do advisors benefit?
We believe asset-liability matching is the future of financial planning and asset management. It's too intuitive, sensible and understandable for clients. Advisors who adopt this methodology will have a significant advantage in a world of AI and crowded investment strategies where advisors struggle to stand out. This process is not only forward looking, but it differentiates you from the herd. Advisors who learn how it works and adapt now will have a meaningful advantage in the future.
Do you compete with our clients?
Absolutely not. We will even sign non-competes with your firm if that's reassuring.
How much assistance will you provide to our team learning the process?
Advisors who adopt the Defined Duration framework will have full access to our experts. We will not only treat you like our clients. We will treat you like partners in helping reshape the financial services industry.
How customized can the portfolios be made?
Although our outputs might recommend a core set of holdings the entire Defined Duration approach is designed to be customized. You don't need to adopt our entire methodology to apply it. In fact, we know your process requires its own level of customization and we work around that to make your process stand out while remaining yours.
Ready to align portfolios to real-world plans?
Speak with our team or request a brief overview to share with stakeholders.
Contact Us Download Overview