Recordkeeper perspectives on the retirement income landscape, likely drawn from a survey or roundtable discussion. It serves as a visual reference for understanding how recordkeepers are thinking about product development, implementation, and participant communication.

In mid-2024, a series of focus groups explored the experiences of retirees who had exited the workforce at least five years earlier and participated in employer-sponsored DC plans. The research focused on what retirees wish they had known before retiring and how they manage both the financial and social dimensions of life after work.

The proliferation of recordkeeper data creates a significant opportunity to move beyond age-based glide paths toward allocations that reflect a participant's actual financial situation. Examining how plan sponsors can leverage salary, contribution rate, balance, and other inputs, this paper outlines the case for data-driven TDF customization as a meaningful lever for improving retirement outcomes.

A widely accepted notion is one that our levels of happiness are profoundly influenced by our financial situation. However, defining and quantifying the nature of this relationship remains a subject of research within the social sciences. A synthesis of existing academic literature unveils the intricate, non-linear nature of the money-happiness relationship. While studies consistently find that wealthier individuals report higher levels of happiness, the degree of correlation often appears modest.

Few guidelines in retirement planning have endured as long—or sparked as much debate—as the 4% withdrawal rule. Revisiting its origins and stress-testing its assumptions against today's conditions, this paper offers a grounded assessment of where the rule still holds, where it falls short, and what adjustments may be warranted for modern retirees.