Lack of financial resiliency is a pressing issue for American workers, one that needs to be considered from all possible angles. Financial wellness programs may be able to help, but employers must consider many factors when implementing and refining a financial wellness program within their organization’s larger benefits suite, including offering topics and formats that engage and resonate with employees to create real value and improved outcomes.

March 2022: Attendees heard from RRC staff, external partners, and peers on 2022 developments and the RRC research agenda. Ranging across RRC partnerships, presentations from the AAC, and 2021 updates, attendees were able to share their feedback and ideas

This piece is intended to provide such plan sponsors and their service providers with a framework for engaging participants on the topic of ESG and how it may be integrated into their retirement plan communications.

In this supplement to the RRC’s report, we describe three barriers to implementation identified by U.S. consultants. For those seeking to move beyond these obstacles, we suggest potential ways to continue the dialogue in a manner consistent with fiduciary principles.

Lisa Massena, CFA, founder of Massena Associates and former Executive Director of OregonSaves, was named DCIIA's new Chief Operating Officer, effective December 1, 2022, with outgoing COO Peg Knox transitioning to a part-time senior advisor role. Coinciding with her hire, DCIIA announced the launch of its Center for Retirement Savings Inclusion, focused on expanding retirement savings coverage and effectiveness across the U.S.

A DCIIA report on alternative investments in defined contribution plans that examines how private real estate, hedge funds, and private equity can enhance diversification, returns, and risk management, while outlining their benefits, implementation strategies, and the key considerations and challenges plan sponsors must evaluate when incorporating these assets into retirement portfolios.

At its annual member board meeting, DCIIA confirmed its Executive Committee for 2022, with Mary Beth Glotzbach of Franklin Templeton and Chris Lyon of Goldman Sachs Asset Management/Rocaton Investment Advisors serving as Co-Chairs. The release notes that the 2022 slate retained several leaders from the prior term due to the pandemic and includes the full committee roster.

The DCIIA Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Subcommittee sought to explore consultants’ views of ESG with respect to their definitions of ESG, demand for ESG investments, barriers to adoption in DC plans, and typical strategies for ESG implementation.