March 08, 2023 Is Your Target-Date Strategy Ready for a New Investment Regime? by Christopher Nikolich, Elena Wang A challenging 2022 highlighted the need for design improvements in some target-date strategies—more diversification of stock and bond exposures. Multi-Asset, Plan Design, Rising Rates, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
October 25, 2022 How to Approach Prospective Plan Sponsors: Take the Road Less Traveled by Ken Haman Plan Sponsors are busy and do not appreciate cold calls. It is time to use a more effective and more respectful approach to prospecting for new retirement plan business. AB Advisor Institute, Plan Design Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
June 02, 2022 For Better Participant Engagement, Tie Retirement Savings to Current Headlines by Jennifer DeLong, Heather Balley Plan sponsors can improve participant engagement with relevant, timely topics and ideas. Plan Design, Responsible Investing/ESG Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
February 08, 2022 How DC Plan Sponsors Can Engage Diverse Participant Personas by Jennifer DeLong, Heather Balley Plan participant perspectives can differ, and so should how sponsors connect with them. Plan Design Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
January 11, 2022 Proposed DOL Rule a Big Step Forward for ESG in DC Plans by Jennifer DeLong, Michelle Dunstan The Department of Labor’s new proposed rule clarifies how DC plan fiduciaries can consider ESG in investment selection. In our view, it represents meaningful progress. Multi-Asset, Plan Design, Policy & Regulation, Responsible Investing/ESG Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
December 08, 2021 Retiree Hindsight Casts Light on Big DC Plan Blind Spot: Income Planning by Jennifer DeLong, Heather Balley Most retirees say they’re satisfied with their post-work situation, according to our most recent survey. But knowing why some retirees still struggle—especially with income—can lead sponsors to effective plan options that help participants avoid similar challenges. Plan Design Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
October 29, 2021 For DC Plan Participants, Solving for Retirement Income Is a Challenge by Jennifer DeLong, Heather Balley Retirement income is the top goal among defined contribution (DC) plan participants. But according to our most recent survey, many participants struggle to find the best way to tap into those savings when the time comes. How can plan sponsors help close the gap? Plan Design Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
September 22, 2021 COVID-19 Strained Participant Financial Wellness: Can Employers Help Them Recover? by Jennifer DeLong, Heather Balley With COVID-19 challenges lingering and defined contribution (DC) plan participant confidence consistently low, it’s time for more plan sponsors to offer financial wellness programs—with topics well beyond retirement. Coronavirus, Plan Design Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
August 24, 2021 Portfolio Risks Don’t Stop When Retirement Starts by Andrew Stumacher, Howard Li, Christopher Nikolich DC plan participants who retire with guaranteed lifetime income typically consider the hardest part of their planning finished. But potential tail risks in retirement can still alter their journey, giving them more reason to carefully consider how different income strategies reduce or even create risks. Plan Design, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
July 30, 2021 Is Your Target-Date Fund Providing Enough Inflation Protection? by Christopher Nikolich, Vinod Chathlani, Elena Wang With inflation on the rise in the post-pandemic recovery spending power for plan participants near or in retirement could be vulnerable. Target-date funds have tools at their disposal to battle inflation, but if they’re not deployed effectively, it could end up exacting a performance cost. Asset Allocation, Inflation, Plan Design, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
May 21, 2021 Stable Retirement Income Is a Process, Not One & Done by Jennifer DeLong, Andrew Stumacher, Howard Li DC plan participants who secure guaranteed retirement income over time—much like dollar cost averaging—rather than all at once at retirement tend to be better insulated from the impact of market and interest-rate volatility on income. Plan Design Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
April 09, 2021 Future-Income Focus May Boost Current DC Plan Savings by Jennifer DeLong, Andrew Stumacher Planning for retirement has historically been focused on saving as much as possible. But if the actual target is to secure income for life, we think giving participants a preview of the future income they’re building can encourage even better savings habits now. Plan Design Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
March 01, 2021 As Retirement Income Needs Grow, DC Plan Sponsors Weigh Solutions by Jennifer DeLong, Andrew Stumacher As more plan participants worry about retirement income security, demand for guaranteed income solutions is growing—and plan sponsors are pondering the options. While there are many ways to measure the benefits, we believe that some approaches—like in-plan and default options—have distinct advantages. Plan Design, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks