Revamping Retirement

In this episode of Revamping Retirement, hosts Audrey Wheat and Pete Ruffel welcome Eric Dyson, executive director at 90 North Consulting, who offers strategic guidance for plan sponsors on fiduciary governance, investment oversight, and enhancing participant outcomes. The discussion delves into the broader implications of recent Supreme Court rulings and examines emerging developments in retirement plan design, including managed accounts and collective investment trusts. Get more insights for retirement plan sponsors by subscribing to Revamping Retirement.

In episode 78 of Revamping Retirement, hosts Jennifer Doss and Matt Patrick are joined by Lucian Marinescu and Josh Charlson from Morningstar to explore the growing role of private market investments—such as private equity and private credit—within defined contribution (DC) plans. They discuss potential allocations, operational challenges, and the practical implications for plan sponsors, including fees, liquidity constraints, and valuation transparency. Lucian and Josh also share insights on fiduciary due diligence, the importance of transparency, and what sponsors need to evaluate before incorporating private strategies into their retirement plan lineups.

In Episode 77 of Revamping Retirement, hosts Jennifer Doss and Peter Ruffel are joined by Stephanie Gutwein, a partner at Faegre Drinker, to unpack the implications of the Cunningham v. Cornell Supreme Court decision on ERISA prohibited transactions. The episode delves into the nuances of ERISA's prohibited transaction rules, exemptions, and the recent Supreme Court ruling affecting litigation against plan sponsors. Stephanie provides practical guidance for plan fiduciaries, emphasizing robust processes and documentation to navigate this evolving landscape.

In episode 76 of Revamping Retirement, hosts Jennifer Doss and Matt Patrick delve into how AI is transforming the retirement planning industry with guest John Faustino from Fi360. John shares how AI is helping to enhance advisor efficiency, create tailored investment strategies, and improve participant engagement, while stressing the importance of maintaining human oversight to counter cybersecurity risks and avoid misinformation. The discussion also touches on the AI-driven future of retirement income solutions and the need for personalized advice in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

In this episode, hosts Matt Patrick and Jennifer Doss discuss capital preservation investments with Steven Horner, fixed income portfolio manager at Franklin Templeton. Steven explains the differences between stable value and money market funds, emphasizing that stable value funds can offer higher returns due to longer-term investments and insurance protection. The discussion highlights various types of stable value options and key considerations for plan sponsors like transparency, cost, and termination provisions. They also touch on the current market volatility and its effects on these investments.

In episode 74 of Revamping Retirement, hosts Jennifer Doss and Pete Ruffel discuss governmental affairs with Scott Eckel, Managing Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at Charles Schwab. Scott discusses his role as a lobbyist and they cover key issues such as financial regulations, e-delivery of documents, and the new administration's potential impact on tax reform and retirement policies. Scott also touches on the budget reconciliation process and its implications.

In this episode, Jessica Dickler, a personal finance writer for CNBC, joins hosts Matthew Patrick and Audrey Wheat to tackle social media's impact on financial education. How have platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn become go-to sources for financial advice, especially for Gen Z and millennials? Is this a perilous path, or a great new way for new generations to learn financial wellness? Tune in to discover how social media is reshaping the landscape of personal finance.

How well did your hosts do with predicting how the ever-evolving retirement plan landscape would look in 2024? [Spoiler alert: Pretty well.] Following their recap (and a few well-deserved victory laps), the team delivers an insightful forecast for 2025.

Bonnie Treichel, founder and chief solutions officer of Endeavor Retirement, joins hosts Jennifer Doss and Pete Ruffell for an in-depth analysis of key litigation trends affecting the retirement industry. The discussion focuses on the complexities and implications of ERISA lawsuits, including the surge of copycat lawsuits targeting similar fiduciary breaches. Also addressed are emerging risks such as cybersecurity and managed accounts, alongside potential impacts from the Supreme Court’s Loper Bright case on agency interpretations. Plus, delve into the evolving Department of Labor regulations under the current administration and their potential effects on industry compliance and fiduciary responsibilities.

The retirement recordkeeping space has experiences significant shifts. What does that mean for the future of the industry? In episode 70 of the Revamping Retirement podcast, hosts Audrey Wheat and Matt Patrick welcome Tim Hoying and Dave Mallett of Accenture. They’re two of the authors of the report Navigating Through Turbulence: Reinventing Retirement Recordkeeping. Listen in as these experts explore current challenges and future opportunities in the industry, and offer tips on how smaller recordkeepers can still thrive and compete despite those challenges.

It’s been almost two years since the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) 2.0 Act, was officially implemented. Containing more than 90 provisions impacting retirement, this massive piece of legislation is described as “the gift that keeps on giving,” with some aspects still rolling out. In episode 69 of Revamping Retirement, hosts Audrey Wheat and Jennifer Doss talk with Fidelity’s Angela Capek and Shanna Costa to learn what plan sponsors are saying about the ways SECURE 2.0 has disrupted the retirement industry.

In Episode 68 of Revamping Retirement, hosts Matt Patrick and Dawn McPherson welcome Bruce Harrington, vice president of strategic development at Pentegra, a provider of retirement plan and fiduciary outsourcing solutions. Harrington explains why it’s a common myth that 3(16) plans are only for small companies and how it’s helped organizations of all sizes fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities. The trio also review the RFP process for engaging an outside provider. Get more insights for retirement plan sponsors by subscribing to Revamping Retirement.

For 18 years, the PIMCO has conducted its annual U.S. Defined Contribution Consulting Study. One of the longest-running studies of its kind, it aims to understand what retirement consultants are thinking, seeing, and planning to do next. The firm interviews some of the most influential DC-focused consultants in the country, including advisors at CAPTRUST. The respondents this year represent 15,000 U.S. retirement plans and almost $9 trillion in assets.   In this episode of Revamping Retirement, your hosts Matt Patrick and Peter Ruffel welcome PIMCO’s Vidur Mehra and Joseph Szalay to find out what’s trending, what’s challenging, and what’s new the world of defined contributions, from plan design to evaluating retirement income solutions. IMPORTANT NOTICEPlease note that this podcast contains the opinions of the managers as of the date recorded, and may not have been updated to reflect real time market developments. All opinions are subject to change without notice. PIMCO is not responsible for the information

A solution that gives retirees lifetime income, and plan sponsors less on their plates. Helping people sustain their income in retirement, without depleting their savings, is what drives Kelli Hueler, CEO and founder of Hueler Companies. In episode 66 of CAPTRUST’s Revamping Retirement podcast, hosts Jennifer Doss and Pete Ruffel delve into Hueler’s groundbreaking Income Solutions platform. Income Solutions is a lifetime income annuity marketplace with streamlined tools that can help turn retirement savings into an income stream participants won’t outlive. See how this platform, and others like it, could help lighten the load for plan sponsors and reduce financial stress for plan participants Subscribe to Revamping Retirement for more episodes with insights for plan sponsors.  

What most surprises retirees as they enter their new phase of life? In episode 65 of the Revamping Retirement podcast, Hearts & Wallets founder Laura Varas joins CAPTRUST's Matt Patrick and Audrey Wheat to talk about the topic. The trio delves into what retirees didn’t expect to happen in retirement—including the surprise of retiring earlier than intended. They also explore some of the ways retirement plan sponsors can improve the services, benefits, and plans they offer, whether through advances in technology or by making money talks less intimidating. Get more insights for retirement plan sponsors by subscribing to Revamping Retirement.

Brian Graff, the CEO of the American Retirement Association, unpacks the new fiduciary rule and the implications of the expiring Tax Cut and Jobs Act. Hear how these changes can affect retirement planning on episode 64 of Revamping Retirement with hosts Jennifer Doss and Peter Ruffel.

This month’s episode features an in-depth discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) between Dawn McPherson, Matt Patrick, and Mike Allen, Morningstar's Head of Technology for Workplace Solutions. They explore AI's evolving role in retirement planning, discussing its potential for personalized participant experiences, and operational efficiencies.  Highlights include: practical application of AI tools and their potential impact on retirement planning benefits of leveraging AI to enhance participant experiences and streamline backend processes challenges plan sponsors will face when it comes to governance The episode ends with practical tips from Mike Webb for enhancing the 5500 annual report filing process for ERISA retirement plan sponsors. Subscribe to Revamping Retirement for more episodes with insights for plan sponsors.  Note: Mike Allen is an employee of Morningstar Investment Management LLC, a registered investment adviser and subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc.

In the latest episode of Revamping Retirement, Dawn McPherson and Jennifer Doss talk with Dan Aronowitz, president of Encore Fiduciary. The three dive into litigation trends, particularly in navigating the complexities of fiduciary liability and underwriting.   Highlights include:   An overview of recent trends in retirement plan litigation, emphasizing a shift in the types of cases being filed and the implications for plan sponsors.   The significance of having a robust fiduciary process and how it can mitigate litigation risks. This includes the choice between active and passive investment options, the importance of monitoring record-keeping and investment fees, and the strategic use of fiduciary insurance.   A deep dive into fiduciary liability insurance, detailing what it covers, who should have it, and how it can protect plan sponsors from claims of breach of duty.   Discussion on specific risk factors that can make a retirement plan more susceptible to litigation and how these factors in

This month on Revamping Retirement, Dawn McPherson and Matt Patrick talk with Lisa Greenwald, CEO of Greenwald Research. The three discuss the impact of caregiving responsibilities on retirement readiness. Lisa highlights that caregivers face unique challenges that often aren't addressed by employers and benefits providers, such as reduced work hours, job changes for flexibility, and financial strain. The episode also covers the landscape of retirement benefits more broadly, including trends to expand offerings for employee well-being, such as mental health and financial wellness programs.  Later, Mike Webb talks about plan fees in this month’s Minute with Mike.   Subscribe to Revamping Retirement for more episodes with insights for plan sponsors.  

This month on Revamping Retirement, Jennifer Doss introduced new co-hosts Matt Patrick, Audrey Wheat, and Pete Ruffel.   The four share their predictions for the year ahead as it relates to plan sponsors and the defined contribution space.   Predictions include:   Recordkeeper consolidation  Expanded QDIA solutions  An increase in regulation from the Department of Labor and IRS  Subscribe to Revamping Retirement for more episodes with insights for plan sponsors.   Last Month’s Episode: Episode 59: Auto-Portability with Neal Ringquist