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
August 06, 2020 DOL’s New Rules Don’t Have to Slow DC Plan ESG Adoption by Jennifer DeLong, Michelle Dunstan Demand for ESG investing is growing among DC plan participants, but with plan sponsors facing many choices and proposed new DOL rules, what’s the best approach? As we see it, fully integrating ESG considerations is fundamental to better financial outcomes—which is always in participants’ best interests. Plan Design, Policy & Regulation, Responsible Investing/ESG, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
June 16, 2020 How Target-Date Funds Can Use Equities for Stability by Christopher Nikolich, Chris Marx Target-date portfolios that use carefully chosen defensive equities are best equipped to protect from coronavirus market turmoil and volatility in general. Active & Passive , Asset Allocation, Coronavirus, Target-Date Solutions, Volatility Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
May 15, 2020 DC Plan Sponsor Fiduciary Torch Is Brighter—and Can Help Light Dark Days by Jennifer DeLong DC plan sponsors are taking their fiduciary roles more seriously today, and upping training among their ranks while relying more on third-party expertise, based on our latest survey. Business Owners, Plan Design, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
April 09, 2020 Don’t Panic! Bear Market Communication Tips for DC Plan Sponsors by Jennifer DeLong The bear market is challenging defined contribution (DC) plan sponsors to reinforce timeless investing principles while also conveying new rules that bring relief to participants. Good communication practices are a key ingredient to achieving success in both these areas. Business Owners, Multi-Asset, Plan Design, Target-Date Solutions, Volatility Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
October 16, 2019 Five Lessons Packaged Target-Date Solutions Can Learn from Customization by Jennifer DeLong, Andrew Stumacher As defined contribution (DC) plan sponsors know, the US Department of Labor recommends considering both packaged and custom target-date strategies when choosing a solution. As we see it, packaged solutions can learn a few things from fully customized target-date solutions, which are generally used by large and megasize plan sponsors. Multi-Asset, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
October 16, 2019 Does Your Target-Date Glide Path Suit Your Workforce? by Jennifer DeLong, Andrew Stumacher Plan sponsors evaluating packaged and custom target-date solutions should take a close look at the demographics of their plan participants and how they stack up against those of a “typical” plan. It’s critical information when making a glide-path decision. Business Owners, Multi-Asset, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
July 08, 2019 Custom or Packaged? The Target-Date Choice Revisited by Jennifer DeLong, Andrew Stumacher Many plan sponsors wrestle with the decision of choosing—or changing—a target-date solution. Is a packaged product appropriate for plan participants, or are there advantages to using a custom solution? Or is there perhaps another choice? Multi-Asset, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
February 28, 2018 With Target-Date Funds, History Does Repeat by Jennifer DeLong Target-date funds played a big part in helping defined contribution (DC) plan participants stay invested through February’s market turmoil. And history does repeat: in the severe 2008–09 financial crisis, these funds kept many participants positioned to take part in a lengthy bull market. Multi-Asset, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
February 28, 2018 With Target-Date Funds, History Does Repeat by Jennifer DeLong Target-date funds played a big part in helping defined contribution (DC) plan participants stay invested through February’s market turmoil. And history does repeat: in the severe 2008–09 financial crisis, these funds kept many participants positioned to take part in a lengthy bull market. Business Owners, Multi-Asset, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
November 14, 2017 Six Tips to Take DC Plans to the Next Level by Jennifer DeLong Tax reform. Interest-rate hikes. Regulatory questions. Inflation. There’s always a reason to put off making changes to your company’s defined contribution (DC) plan. But some improvements will be good for your plan and participants no matter what happens. Multi-Asset, Plan Design, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
November 14, 2017 Six Tips to Take DC Plans to the Next Level by Jennifer DeLong Tax reform. Interest-rate hikes. Regulatory questions. Inflation. There’s always a reason to put off making changes to your company’s defined contribution (DC) plan. But some improvements will be good for your plan and participants no matter what happens. Business Owners, Multi-Asset, Plan Design, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
May 16, 2017 DOL Throws New Lifeline to Lifetime-Income Solutions by Jennifer DeLong The defined contribution (DC) community has been buzzing about lifetime-income products lately. It’s a topic that’s been dormant for several years, but there are good reasons for renewed interest. Multi-Asset, Policy & Regulation, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks