Why is a diversified portfolio important for retirement savings?

A diversified portfolio is crucial for retirement savings because it minimizes risk by spreading investments across various asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate. This strategy helps to protect the overall investment from market volatility and decreases the likelihood of significant losses. By not putting all your eggs in one basket, you can balance out potential underperformance in one area with gains in another. Diversification allows investors to manage their risk more effectively, making it a foundational principle of sound investment strategy.

The other options do not accurately reflect the key benefits of diversification. For example, while diversification can lead to more stable returns over time, it does not guarantee higher returns, as market conditions can vary widely. Additionally, a diversified portfolio does not necessarily simplify the investment process; it may actually require more monitoring and management. Lastly, focusing on a single investment type contradicts the principle of diversification, which explicitly involves spreading investments to mitigate risk.